So spoke my guest on tasting Essensia on Sunday night.  She's not much of a drinker, let alone a wine drinker.  And, boy, did she love Essensia.  She had never tasted anything quite like it.

That's because Essensia is a dessert wine.  Few Americans have encountered them.  Just try to scare one up at the local hooch store.  There are reds, whites, maybe some port, but rarely a dessert wine.  Which is a shame.

It was really delightful, and it was sweet but not wildly sugary like some dessert wines.  While its taste got blotted out by some of the spicier foods, all in all it held up quite well against the pungent Indian cuisine.  And Essensia was incredibly good when we drank it as we ate chocolate bars for dessert.  We had to force ourselves to put the cork back in and take it home with us and put it in the fridge so we could share it with our guest.

Gads- this is dessert wine that would actually go well with bar-b-que chicken.  Or, if you ever anger your lady by behaving like an ass, you might be advised to buy a box of chocolates and a bottle of Essensia and approach her cautiously.  Tell her you're sorry, uncork the wine, and handover the candy box.  After a glass or two of this and some chocolates, she'll be too busy smiling to quarrel. (Rating ****) Click here to purchase Essensia!