Winemakers are always interested in finding ways to turn non-traditional ingredients into new and interesting beverages. If your whole world is fermented grapes, why not experiment with other fruits to create delicious new concoctions? Durian is an intriguing choice here, because it’s not a common fruit around the world, unlike oranges or pears.
The flavor of durian itself can be hard to describe, and can vary a lot according to personal taste. However, most describe the fruit as sweet, creamy, and custardy, with a soft texture that easily pulls apart. While some can’t stand the flavor, others think it has notes of everything from mango to cheesecake to creamed corn. There’s certainly no denying that it’s a unique fruit, as there probably aren’t many others that have as much flavor variance. Besides adding the typical sugar, yeast, and water, winemakers often enhance the flavors of the fermenting fruit with other add-ins, like lime or vanilla. However, at least in the western hemisphere, durian is rare, and that means it’s not going to be as cheap as other fruits you could use in winemaking.