Today’s challenge is to find a wine that suits a three-part dessert consisting of a Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta, a Petite Chocolate Pot of Crème and a Leche Caramel Glace. These three delightful offerings present widely varying flavors and aromas and it was a monumental task to pick just one wine to complement all three desserts. Frankly, I was not up to it. So rather than presenting one wine at three different price points, we will explore three different wines, each paired with a different dessert.

Even if you leave out the other desserts, the Leche Caramel Glace by itself presents a complex array of flavors. Caramel leads the way with espresso, vanilla and ginger represented in the garnishes. Again, this leaves a difficult wine-pairing decision, but the La Tour Blanche, 2005 Sauternes should do the trick. Rated 92 points by “Wine Spectator” magazine, the La Tour’s intense sweetness and subtle aromas of lemon peel, honey and vanilla can linger on the palate for several minutes, providing a perfect complement to the Glace’s numerous aromas and flavors. The La Tour Blanche 2005 Sauternes will set you back $35, but the complexity of the aroma and the long finish can really make the dessert experience one to remember.

Moving in a much different direction, the Petite Chocolate Pot of Crème calls for a firm, smooth Port. I suggest the Barnard Griffin 2005 Syrah Port. This sweet, ripe, almost jammy red fortified wine finishes with hints of tobacco that really sets off the creamy chocolate, and

at $16, it is an excellent value wine.

The Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta can pair nicely with a number of wines, including Grappa, Sherry, Canadian Ice Wine and even a Belgian Framboise beer. But my choice is the Greenwood Ridge 2006 Late Harvest Riesling. Rated 91 points in “Wine Spectator” magazine, this wine’s superb concentration of apricots integrates well with the delicate sweetness of the panna cotta while moderating this desserts’ strong vanilla aroma. At $24, the Greenwood Ridge is not inexpensive, but at the end of this magnificent meal, it is well worth it.

David L. Allen is the “Tuesday Night Wine Guy” at Greenfresh Market where he educates customers on wines under $10. You can find David’s wine reviews at http://blog.tuesdaynightwines.com. Locally owned Renton Greenfresh Market fosters healthy communities by offering the highest quality, freshest foods available and features local wines such as Renton Red and Renton White.