Dessert wine continues to gain favor among new and younger drinkers, albeit slowly. Especially alongside a cheese plate, there are few pleasures that compare to a beautifully balanced sweet wine. The holiday season and cold weather offer even more encouragement to sink into one of these treasures, the top 6 of 2018’s Ultimate Wine Challenge, all scoring over 90 Points.

1. Elysium Red Dessert Wine 2016 California, 96 Points, Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation

2. Parallel 44 Ice Wine St. Pepin 2016 Wisconsin Ledge, 94 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended

3. Tzafona Cold Climate Vidal Ice Wine 2015 Niagara Peninsula, 94 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended

4. Wagner Vineyards Riesling Ice Wine 2016 Finger Lakes, 93 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended

5. Wagner Vineyards Vidal Ice Wine 2016 Finger Lakes, 93 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended

6. Essensia Dessert Wine 2016 California, 91 Points, Excellent, Highly Recommended