Are you unsure of how to use that bottle of dessert wine sitting in the back of your cupboard? Maybe you purchased it at a wine tour or maybe someone gave it to you as a gift. Whether it is a Sauternes wine or a nice bottle of ice wine, there are plenty of ways to put it to good use and do it justice. Here's a look.

Pair It With Blue Cheese

The sweet flavors in dessert wines like sauternes and ice wine are the perfect complement to blue cheeses. If you like smoother, creamy blue cheese, try serving an Irish Cashel Blue or Maytag Blue Cheese. If you are a fan of bolder flavors, serve some Gorgonzola or Spanish Cabrales. You can serve some crunchy, simple crackers on the side to vary the texture. 

The proper way to pair wine with cheese is as follows. Take one sip of wine to cleanse your palate, and then take a second one to get the full flavor of the wine. Then, take a bite of cheese, and a second bite of cheese. Let the second bite of cheese linger in your mouth as you take another sip of wine to combine the flavors.

Make a Reduction

Another way to enjoy your sweet dessert wine is to make a reduction with fresh fruit. Chop about a cup of fruit of your choice. Strawberries, peaches, and raspberries all work well. Then, add a cup of wine to the saucepan and bring it to a simmer. Let the mixture simmer for about 20 minutes or until it thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. Let the reduction cool, and then serve it over pancakes, on top of ice cream, or even as a topping for cheesecake or spongecake.

Drizzle it On Waffles

If you do not have time to make a reduction, you can still enjoy this delicious wine paired with fruit, waffles, and other breakfast foods. A lovely want to prepare it is to butter a waffle, and then add a generous portion of both whipped cream and fresh fruit. Finish it with a few tablespoons of your dessert wine -- and serve a tiny glass of the dessert wine on the side, too. 

With the ideas above, your sweet dessert wine won't go to waste! Invite a few friends over and indulge your taste buds, whether than is with cheese or waffles. For more information, contact companies like JJ Buckley Fine Wines.

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