So I keep getting asked by Jessica, the Smart Wine Guy’s Gal Friday, about helping customers with sweet wines.

Like, what kind of wine is like a Sauternes? (Sauternes are rich, honeyed dessert wines from France – often expensive rich, honeyed dessert wines from France.)

I have a few recommendations for Jess – and the customers who have asked for help:

• Muscat
This is probably the closest you’ll get to Sauternes at a range of much more wallet-pleasing prices. The two most readily available in our stores are Perry Creek (about $12) and Sutter Home (on sale at 3 for $9.99 until June 2), but take a peek at your store’s local wines section for more options that vary by store.

• Ice wine
A little more spendy – but still less than most Sauternes. There are ice wines for $60 and up, but we have a great one in our stores – Jackson-Trigg – for about $22.  (Ice wines come from frozen grapes on the vine, giving them a rich sweetness and flavor.)

• Sweet Rieslings
Although sweet in flavor, I’d argue that most Rieslings don’t have that same thick honeyed texture of a Sauternes or a Muscat. But in a pinch, it could work. Best bet: Hogue Late Harvest Riesling, which is intensly flavored.