For the last blog post of the year it only made sense to carry on a tradition I learned at Rosh HaShanah (the Jewish New Year) … the ritual happens before the festive meal when you eat apple slices dipped in honey – there are long and some possibly convoluted reasons for the apple (one is that it signifies the world, another is the cyclical nature of a year), but the honey part is pretty basic – it symbolizes a sweet new year.

Now, I’m not advocating getting yourself a honey wine (mead) and apple wine and mixing them together – but that ain’t a half bad idea; but if you will permit me I can do you one better: I can point you in the direction of some really good sweet wines to help keep the tradition alive in fully liquid form (and maybe one or two will give you the perception of apples and honey).

Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro ($16.95 / 500ml)

The depth of caramelized spiced orange peel is incredible; like nothing you’ve ever tasted.

Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Premium Sweet Sherry ($17.95)

This is not your Grandma’s dry sipping Sherry, it’s a sweet raisin pie treat mixed with amber honey.

Union Wines 2007 Forte ($16.95 / 500ml)

Dried cherry and cranberry pass pleasantly over the palate and outstanding acidity balances the sweetness – stunning value for the price.

Muskoka Lakes 2012 Red Maple ($23.95 / 375ml)

Hints of floral and sweet cranberry and strawberry with the sweetness of maple mixing with the tart cranberry.

Inniskillin 2012 Sparkling Cabernet Franc Icewine ($119.95 / 375ml)

Inniskillin’s very first ever bubbly icewine using Cabernet Franc; strawberry with acidity that cuts right through the sweetness with a long luxurious finish.

For more wine suggestions, see our other #WineWednesday posts.