The Times

Serve California's Dessert and Refreshment wines with a flourish

There is nothing in the world quite like California's sweet, full-bodied wines that go so well after dinner ... or as refreshments in their own right. Serve them with a flourish, for they're wines to be proud of ... smooth sweet liquid tidbits. Delightful alone, or with fruits, cheese, cookies or nuts. Refreshing in the afternoon ... distinguished in the evening. California's Port Wine is the most popular. It is rich, red and mellow-sweet. Ruby Port is even deeper red. Tawny Port is like the red bronze cast of autumn leaves. All are wonderful with afternoon or evening snacks. Muscatel offers the fascinating flavor of California's superb Muscat grapes ... is rich, fruity and sweet. Cream Sherry, pleasantly sweet, has the nut-like Sherry flavor ... is deep amber in color. Sweet White Dinner wines are also excellent Refreshment wines, at their best with fruit or light desserts. Most popular are Sweet (Haut) Sauterne, Sweet Semillon, an Sweet Sauvignon Blanc. Rose wines, con.-fortably in the middle between dryness and sweetness, are ideal for these occasions.