Passion Fruit

A California crossing (Semillon × Gewürztraminer) — perfumed, lightly floral, mostly used in late-harvest dessert styles. Rare but charming.

Works with Passion Fruit And Orange Soufflé · Passion Fruit Custard And Berries · Passion Fruit And Strawberry Pavlova

A perfumed Muscat variant grown in California and Australia — orange blossom, mandarin, dried apricot. Almost always made as a dessert wine.

Works with Passion Fruit And Orange Soufflé · Passion Fruit Custard And Berries · Passion Fruit And Strawberry Pavlova

Dessert · Full · Sweet

Bordeaux's legendary sweet white — Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc hit by noble rot, then patiently fermented. Honey, apricot, candied citrus, and a finish that lasts a small eternity. Pair with foie gras, blue cheese, or a fruit tart.

Works with Passion Fruit Cake · Chilled Passion Fruit Soufflé · Passion Fruit Souffle With Mango Creme And Lavender Madeleines

Sparkling · Light · Dry

Méthode champenoise from the most chalk-rich corner of France — fine bubbles, brioche, lemon zest, and a finish that goes on for half a minute. The wine for anything fried, salty, or special.

Works with Chilled Passion Fruit Soufflé · Passion Fruit And Strawberry Pavlova

Dessert · Light · Sweet

The Muscat grape made into sweet, low-alcohol, aromatic wines. Asti is the sparkling expression; still versions range from dry (rare) to dessert-sweet (common). Always smells like grapes.

Works with Passion Fruit Parfait · Passion Fruit Pave With Honey Dew Melon Salsa

Sparkling · Light · Sweet

Asti's more refined sibling — gently frizzante, only 5-6% alcohol, all peach and orange blossom. The perfect summer dessert wine.

Works with Passion Fruit Cake · Passion Fruit Souffle With Mango Creme And Lavender Madeleines

Red · Light · Dry

Burgundy's most temperamental grape, but the rewards are real — translucent ruby with a perfumed lift of red cherry, forest floor, and clove. Silken tannins and bright acid make it the most versatile red on the table; serve cool, around 58°F.

Works with Passion Fruit Bbq Salmon · Guava And Cheese Phyllo Puree With Passion Fruit

White · Light · Dry

Citrus, cut grass, and a wire of acid. Marlborough makes it loudest; Sancerre makes it most refined. Either way, it cuts cleanly through goat cheese, herbs, and anything with shellfish.

Works with Passion Fruit · Chilled Passion Fruit Soufflé

Australian off-dry Muscat (Lexia is the Australian name for Muscat of Alexandria) — peach, honey, jasmine. The Australian everyday off-dry white.

Works with Grilled Passion Fruit Soufflé · Passion Fruit Tart With Vanilla Bean Ice-cream

Red · Full · Dry

The classical red blend — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and friends — from southwest France. Black currant, cedar, tobacco; serious structure; rewards patience and decanting.

Red · Medium · Dry

Pinot Noir (red) or Chardonnay (white) from the world's most expensive dirt. Translucent, perfumed, ethereal at the top of the hierarchy; honest and pleasant lower down. Drink slowly, with reverence.

Red · Full · Dry

The benchmark for full-bodied red — structured, age-worthy, unapologetic. Black currant, graphite, and tobacco lead into firm tannins that demand protein on the plate. Decant young bottles; cellar the serious ones.