Sweet white wines: the brands to look out for in 2025

10 best sweet white wines with expert ratings and recommendations

The above list highlights the best rated sweet white wines from top producers. Featuring only the best sweet white wine brands, it’s your reliable reference for selecting quality bottles—whether for gifting, pairing, or collecting.

What is a sweet white wine and how is it made?

The secret behind every great bottle lies in the way how sweet white wine is made. While red and dry wines follow a classic process, sweet white wines need special care—especially during fermentation—to preserve their natural sugars and vibrant flavors.
To better understand what is a sweet white wine distinctive, it is important to explore the main production steps that contribute to its signature sweetness and flavor profile:

• Crushing: grapes are gently pressed to extract the juice.
• Fermentation: yeast turns sugar into alcohol, but for sweet whites, this process is often stopped early or modified to preserve residual sugar.
• Aging: while most white wines aren’t aged long, sweet white wines often spend more time resting in tanks or barrels to develop richer flavors before bottling.

Moreover, sweet white wines are made without fermenting the juice with grape skins, resulting in a lighter, fresher character.

Behind every bottle are naturally sweet white wine grape varieties. These include:

• Muscat
• Riesling
• Gewürztraminer
• Sémillon
• Chenin Blanc
• Malvasia

Sweet white grapes are nature’s candy—packed with natural sugars, which allows these wines to achieve their characteristic sweetness without extra additives.

Sweet white wine types: production styles that define the flavor

As we’ve mentioned, different grapes and production techniques bring out a variety of styles and flavors. To better understand the many sweet white wine types, it helps to look at a few key production styles:

• Natural sweet wines: fermentation is stopped early by cooling or adding sulfur dioxide, leaving natural sugars behind. This produces fresh, lightly sweet wines like Moscato d’Asti or off-dry Riesling.
• Passito and late harvest wines: grapes are dried on or off the vine to concentrate sugars, creating fuller, sweeter wines with dried fruit and honey notes. Examples of this good sweet white wine include Italy’s Passito and Germany’s Spätlese.
• Noble rot wines: grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea shrivel, concentrating sugars and adding honeyed, spicy flavors. Famous examples? Sauternes.
• Ice wines: grapes are harvested frozen, yielding intensely sweet, acidic wines, commonly from Canada and Germany.

Explore the wide world of types of sweet white wine—it’s the most delicious way to find your go-to bottle.

Sweet white wines by sweetness: what are the different levels?

White wines vary widely in sweetness—from barely noticeable hints to intensely sweet sensations. Unlike red wines, where tannins help balance flavors, white wines derive their sweetness mainly from residual sugars left after fermentation and the natural sugars present in the grapes.

To help you navigate sweet white wines by sweetness, we’ve put together a table outlining different sweetness levels, grape varieties, and a few suggestions to try. You can also refer to our white wine sweetness scale for a clearer understanding of where each wine falls—making it easier to find the style that suits your taste.

Sweetness	Top Picks	Common Varietals	Residual Sugar (g/L)
Semi-Sweet	Semi Sweet Riesling 2015 by Zerba Cellars	Muscat, Riesling, Chenin BlancMuscat, Riesling, Chenin Blanc	12–45
Sweet	Late Harvest Gewurztraminer by Husch Vineyards	Riesling (late harvest), Gewürztraminer	45–100
Very Sweet	Sauternes by Château Laribotte	Sauternes, Ice Wine	100–220+

Sweetest white wine: rich and dessert-ready

At the top of the sweetness scale, the sweetest white wine is intensely rich and often enjoyed in small pours as dessert wines. These wines are made from grapes with very high sugar content, sometimes enhanced by techniques like late harvesting, noble rot, or drying the grapes to concentrate sugars. Some of the most common grapes include Sémillon, Muscat, Riesling, and Pedro Ximénez.

Our pick of sweetest white wine: Château d’Yquem Sauternes (France) – A legendary, complex dessert wine with layers of honey, apricot, and tropical fruit. Perfect for special occasions.

Least sweet white wine: crisp and refreshing

The least sweet white wine sits at the entry point of the white wine sweet scale. These wines offer a noticeable touch of sweetness balanced by fresh acidity, making them versatile and approachable. Perfect for those who enjoy a hint of sweetness without overwhelming richness. Common grapes involved are Muscat, Riesling (Kabinett), Chenin Blanc (off-dry styles), and Pinot Blanc.

Our pick of least sweet white wine: Moscato d’Asti (Italy) – A lightly sparkling, low-alcohol wine with floral aromas and notes of peach and orange blossom. Refreshing, playful, and easy to love.

Non alcoholic sweet white wine

You don’t need a sweet white wine with high alcohol content to enjoy a truly satisfying and flavorful experience! In fact, some great sweet white wines are completely alcohol-free, making them a great option for those who prefer to skip the booze without giving up taste.

While alcohol free wines—especially dry or sparkling styles—are becoming more common, non alcoholic sweet white wine is still a bit harder to find. That being said, the selection is growing, and there are some surprisingly good choices available today. Here are three tasty picks, with ideal food pairings:

• Sauvignon Blanc (0.0%) – Le Petit Beret (France)
  Food pairing suggestion: spicy Thai dishes or sushi.
• Pierre Zéro Prestige White – Pierre Chavin (France)
  Food pairing suggestion: soft cheese or fruit-based desserts.
• Fre Alcohol-removed Moscato – Sutter Home (California)
  Food pairing suggestion: vanilla cake or mild curries.

Alcohol free sweet white wine doesn’t mean flavor-free—these wines prove you can still enjoy a sweet wine moment, minus the alcohol.

Sweet white wine food pairing: the unexpected matches that work

One of the biggest challenges when enjoying wine is finding the perfect food pairing. This can be even trickier when it comes to choosing the best food to pair with sweet white wines, which are often automatically linked to desserts.

It takes a bit of experience—and, most importantly, tasting—to discover the best sweet white wine food pairings, but it is certainly possible! Below, you will see a list of popular sweet white wines and some unexpected matches that work just fine.

Food	Sweet White Wine / Grape	Type & Structure
Foie gras, Fruit compote, Spicy Asian dishes	Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese 2020 – Dr. Loosen – Riesling	Semi sweet, honeyed, bright acidity
Spiced Sausage or Pâté, Cinnamon Spiced Desserts, Soft Cheese	Gewürztraminer Vendange Tardive – Hugel – Gewürztraminer	Semi sweet, aromatic, spicy
Foie Gras, Blue Cheese, Roasted Poultry, Creme Brûlée	Sauternes – Château d’Yquem – Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc	Very sweet, rich, luscious
Fresh Fruit Salads, Creamy Desserts, Mild Cheese	Moscato d’Asti 2021 – Bricco dei Guazzi	Lightly sweet, fruity, floral, low alcohol
Aged Cheese, Nut Based Desserts	6 Puttonyos (Gold Label) – Royal Tokaji Wine Company- Furmint, Hárslevelű	Very sweet, balanced acidity, complex, honeyed
Fruit Based Desserts, Blue Cheese, Smoked Salmon Appetizers	Vidal Icewine – Inniskillin- Vidal or Riesling	Very sweet, luscious, vibrant acidity
Spicy Barbecue, Pumpkin Pie, Baked Eggs	Fire by Night Chenin Blanc 2021 – Alheit	Sweet, rich, with vibrant acidity
Almond Cookies, Light Seafood Salads, Blue Cheese	Vin Santo di Montepulciano – Avignonesi- Trebbiano, Malvasia	Sweet, nutty, rich, smooth

California sweet wine: top picks across the West Coast and sweet white wine Napa Valley

When most people think of California wine, big, bold reds usually come to mind. But the Golden State is also a major player when it comes to producing exceptional California sweet white wine! While wineries dot all 50 U.S. States, nearly 90% of the country’s wine production happens here, especially in iconic West Coast spots like Sonoma and Napa.
Forget typical sweetness—sweet white wine Napa Valley showcases remarkable balance, lush richness, and vibrant fruit, perfectly reflecting California’s sun-kissed essence.
Here’s an overview of the main regions, grape varieties, and popular sweet white wines worth exploring:

Region / Grape	Top to Try	Characteristics
Napa Valley, CA, Riesling	Sweet Claire Late Harvest Riesling 2014 – Prager Winery & Port Works	Rich and sweet with balanced acidity and a clean finish.
Sonoma County, CA Sémillon	Billet Doux Late Harvest Sémillon – Morlet	Deep crystal clear gold, intense and complex bouquet of dry apricot
Napa Valley, CA Muscat	Moscato 2016 – St. Supery	Beautifully balanced with refreshing acidity
Napa Valley, CA Sémillon	Sémillon de Soleil – Stony Hill	Unctuous texture and high acidity with aromas and flavors of ripe apricot
Sonoma County, CA Sauvignon Blanc	Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc – Bodkin	Pineapple flavors take center stage, layered beautifully with a lush texture
Modesto, CA Muscat	Barefoot Moscato 2014 – Barefoot	Sweet and refreshing with mouth-watering

Sweet white wines from: the taste of sunny lands

Italy boasts one of the world’s richest wine heritages. From North to South, every bottle tells a story of tradition, territory, and passion—often becoming true national icons. This is especially true for sweet white wines from Italy, beloved at home and celebrated globally.

Famous examples of sweet white wine from Italy like Moscato and Malvasia, are known for their aromatic charm. Below, you’ll discover a few recommended Italian sweet white wines that truly deserve a spot in your next tasting lineup:

Region / Grape	Top Producers	Wine Style
Sicily Muscat of Alexandria	Donnafugata, Planeta, Cusumano	Sweet, rich, and sun-dried dessert wine, grapes dried under the sun
Sicily Malvasia	Tenuta di Castellaro, Pellegrino, Marco de Bartoli	Often made in a passito style with notes of dried fruit, herbs, and honey
Piedmont White Muscat	Vietti, Michele Chiarlo, Ceretto	Lightly sparkling, sweet, and low in alcohol, extremely aromatic
Tuscany Trebbiano, Malvasia	Avignonesi, Felsina, Castello di Ama	Oxidative and rich dessert wine, aged in small barrels
Sardinia Vernaccia	Cantine Contini, Sella e Mosca, Silvio Carta	Oxidative, fortified or semi fortified, similar to sherry

French sweet white wine: the timeless excellence

Curious about the world’s most sophisticated sweet wines? Look no further than France! This country crafts legendary sweet white wine with unmatched precision and tradition. Regions like Sauternes, Monbazillac, and Alsace produce rich, aromatic wines from Sémillon, Muscadelle, and Riesling.

Their complexity often comes from noble rot or late harvest, creating luscious layers of honeyed fruit, floral notes, and vibrant acidity. Below is a selection of sweet French white wine recommendations that are perfect for aging or pairing with desserts:

Region / Grape	Top Producers	Wine Style
Bordeaux Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc	Château de Rayne Vigneau, Château d’Yquem, Château Guiraud	Lusciously sweet and complex, with notes of honey
Roussillon White Muscat	Gérard Bertrand, Domaine Cazes, Mas Amiel	A fortified sweet wine with vibrant aromas and a silky texture
Alsace Riesling	Gustave Lorentz, Domaine Paul Blanck, Domaine Albert Mann	Medium to high acidity keeps it fresh and balanced, even when quite sweet.
Bordeaux Merlot Blanc, Sémillon	Cheval Quancard, Château Latour-Martillac, Clos Floridène	Lightly sweet, fruity, and easy-drinking
Alsace Gewürztraminer	Willm Reserve, Domaine Bott-Geyl, Domaine Charles Frey	Rich, oily texture with lower acidity, offering lush sweetness

German sweet white wine​: from crisp to luscious delights

You think Germany is all about beer? Think again! Germany is also known for producing some of the world’s finest wines. While German sweet white wine might not be the first to come to mind for every wine lover, they’re highly valued by connoisseurs for their perfect balance and impressive aging potential.

Mostly from Riesling, these masterpieces get their concentrated sweetness from methods like late harvest, noble rot or even Eiswein. Let’s discover together some of the exquisite entries on our recommended German sweet white wines list:

Region / Grape	Top Producers	Wine Style
Mosel Riesling	Dr. Loosen, Joh. Jos. Prüm, Fritz Haag	Light, crisp, delicately sweet with high acidity
Mosel Riesling	Selbach Oster, Dönnhoff	Very sweet, concentrated, with vibrant acidity and icy freshness
Baden Gewürztraminer	Weingut Dr. Heger, Weingut Zähringer, Weingut Andreas Laible	Semi sweet, floral and spicy with lychee and exotic fruit notes
Rheingau Riesling	Schloss Johannisberg, Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn	Richer and riper, honeyed fruit and spice
Rheinhessen Silvaner	Weingut Wittmann, Weingut Gunderloch, Weingut Rappenhof	Juicy and medium sweet, with orchard fruit and minerality

Sweet white wine varieties: grapes and characteristics

The distinct character of sweet white wine varieties comes directly from their grapes, each shaped by its unique growing region, or terroir. Sometimes, winemakers even blend different varieties—like Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc—to craft complex, balanced wines.

Below, you’ll find a list of sweet white wine grapes, highlighting the diversity and artistry behind each bottle:

• Muscat: a white grape known for its aromatic, sweet-fruity character, often with floral and peach notes.
• Malvasia: an ancient white grape prized for its aromatic qualities, often used to produce wines with tropical fruit and floral aromas.
• Riesling: a cool-climate sweet white wine grape famous for its bright acidity and ability to develop high sugar levels.
• Gewürztraminer: a highly aromatic white grape with distinctive spicy, floral, and lychee-like aromas.
• Chenin Blanc: a versatile white grape that can ripen with high sugar while retaining acidity, adaptable to many climates.
• Sauvignon Blanc: a crisp, herbaceous white grape with fresh citrus, often used to add brightness in blends.
• Sémillon: a white grape with thin skins that ripens late and is susceptible to noble rot, contributing waxy, honeyed aromas and richness.

To help you discover these wines more deeply, our team of experts has selected several sweet white wine names to explore in detail below.

Sémillon: the noble grape of Bordeaux

Sémillon is a golden grape famous for its role in crafting some of the world’s most luxurious and expensive sweet white wine, especially from Bordeaux. It brings a rich, full body with notes of apricot and honey.

Its secret? It’s highly susceptible to noble rot, a special fungus that dehydrates grapes and concentrates their sugars and flavors, leading to incredible complexity.

Below some sweet Sémillon recommendations by our experts:

White Muscat: Mediterranean aromas in every sip

White Muscat is a truly special grape variety, highly cherished and widely grown in Italy. It’s the star behind the globally famous Moscato wine, celebrated for its wonderfully aromatic character and one of the best semi sweet white wines worldwide.

Fun fact: many believe it’s one of the most ancient grape varieties still cultivated today, with a history stretching back to ancient Greece!

Here are a few recommended White Muscat wines:

Vidal Blanc: the Canadian classic behind ice wine sweetness

Born from a French-American partnership, Vidal Blanc is a hybrid vine that is a true champ in chillier climates where other grapes might shiver. That’s why you’ll often find it thriving in places like Canada and the Great Lakes region. 

Growers adore Vidal Blanc because it consistently yields beautiful, concentrated grapes perfect for sweet wines, especially luscious ice wines. A true standout variety in the world of white wine sweet styles!

In the table below are some recommended Vidal Blanc ice wines:

Wine &Winemaker	Flavors	Structure
Vidal Blanc Ice Wine – Duck Walk (New York)	Baked apple, honey, toasted almond	Sweet, creamy mouthfeel, balanced acidity
Gold Vidal Icewine – Inniskillin (Canada)	Apricot, peach, honey, tropical fruits	Very sweet, rich and concentrated, high acidity
Icewine Vidal Blanc 2013 – Castel Grisch Estate Winery (New York)	Tropical fruit flavors such as apricot, peach, and honey.	Silky and smooth, with a lingering finish.

Rare sweet white wine brands: how to build a collector’s cellar

More than just sips, some of the rarest sweet white wine brands are prized collector’s items. Valued for ageability and prestige, they’re perfect for investment or celebrating life’s greatest moments.

Why are these bottles so difficult to find? Here are some reasons:

• Limited production: meticulously handcrafted in small batches.
• Prestigious vineyards: grapes from legendary, proven terroirs.
• Exclusive access: availability often restricted to private lists.

Sweet white wine brands like France’s Château d’Yquem and Germany’s Egon Müller Scharzhofberger lead this elite group. Fun fact: an 1811 Château d’Yquem once sold for over $100,000, underscoring its legendary rarity and age ability.

Sweet white wine serving temperature: colder is better

If you want your sweet white wine to really shine, too warm or too cold won’t do! Mastering the sweet white wine serving temperature is where the magic happens! Serve it perfectly chilled, and you’ll unlock its full potential: its vibrant acidity will balance delightful sweetness, letting all those yummy fruit, floral, and even mineral notes truly pop.

While temperature is paramount, understanding additional factors like alcohol content (ABV), acidity, and aging potential can significantly enhance your appreciation. To guide you, the table below provides some examples featuring these key factors.

Wine & ABV	Tannin / Acidity	Serving Temp	Aging Potential
Sauternes 2005 – Château d’Yquem – 13,5% ABV	Low tannin, high acidity	46–50 °F	30+ years
Scharzhofberger Riesling – Egon Müller – 8% ABV	No tannin, high acidity	50–54 °F	20–40 years
Vidal Icewine – Inniskillin – 9,5% ABV	No tannin, crisp acidity	50 ºF	10–20 years
Briccotondo Moscato d’Asti – Fontanafredda – 5% ABV	No tannin, light acidity	43–46 °F	1-3 years
Billet Doux’ Late Harvest Sémillon – Morlet – 17% ABV	Low tannin, rich acidity	50-54 °F	10-15 years

How to store sweet white wine: our 5 secrets

To ensure your good sweet white wine always tastes its best, proper storage is essential. Without it, those delightful flavors and aromas can diminish, taking away from the wine’s unique charm.

Our team has put together some practical advice on how to store them effectively:

1. Temperature: aim for a consistent 7-15°C (45-59°F). Large temperature swings are detrimental!
2. Light & humidity: store bottles in a dark place, with humidity around 60-70% to keep corks in good condition.
3. Position: always store corked bottles horizontally to prevent corks from drying out.
4. Avoid: protect your wine from vibrations, strong odors, and direct sunlight or kitchen heat.

And here’s an extra tip for open bottles: always grab that cork stopper to reseal it securely!

Sweet white wine made simple for beginners

Ready to embark on your sweet white wine adventure independently? Picking a fantastic sweet white wine for beginners means matching its taste, structure, and sweetness to your preference, the occasion, or your meal.

To get you started, try these easy-to-love sweet whites:

1. Moscato d’Asti (Italy)
   Structure: light, bubbly, and fruit-forward.
   Best for: fresh fruit or light desserts.
2. Late Harvest Riesling (Germany/USA):
   Structure: crisp, with peach and honey notes.
   Best for: creamy desserts or spicy dishes.
3. Sauternes (France)
   Structure: rich, luxurious, with honeyed fruit.
   Best for: foie gras or blue cheese.

When selecting, keep these factors in mind:

• Sweetness level: check terms like semi sweet or dessert wine.
• Food pairing: match wine sweetness to your dish for balance.
• Alcohol content: lower ABV (10-12%) wines are often lighter.
• Regional style: explore diverse regional expressions.
• Wine style: pick between sparkling, still, or fortified depending on the mood or meal you’re planning.

Armed with these insights, you can now confidently choose and savor your best sweet white wine for drinking!