How can I tell which wines are dry, and which wines are sweeter?!
How can I tell which wines are dry, and which wines are sweeter?
My wife doesn't like dry wine, and since I don't know much about wine, we end up sticking to one or two types that we like.
She thinks Merlot is too dry for her, so I would like a wine that is a bit sweeter than Merlot, but far from a desert wine!
Is there some sort of chart showing wines in range from sweetest to driest? I know they vary by brand, but they are usually close to each other, correct?
Answers:
Most common off-dry (slightly sweet) to very sweet:
Blush: White Zinfandel, White Merlot
White: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chenin Blanc, Muscat.
Red: Lambrusco or Beaujolais
Dessert: Sauternes, botrytis or late harvest wines are sweet to very sweet type wines
The Canadian ratings mentioned above would be very helpful, but are not used in the USA or Europe.
Merlot is very dry. Try a Zinfandel. They have a much sweeter taste. Also, check out the local winery. They have full descriptions of their wines and can tell you how sweet or dry they are. My recommendation is if they have a "Concord" take that home to her. It's a sure winner.
I'm not sure where you live, so things may be different in your Country ( I'm in Canada).
Here, on the shelf where the wine is sold, there is a sticker with the price, also on that sticker is a number, usually 0,1,2 or maybe 3.
The numbers relate to how sweet/dry the wines are, 0 being the most dry, and 3 being very sweet, like a dessert wine.
I don't like really dry wine either, so I really enjoy a White Zinfandel (actually, it looks like a rosee). It's not too sweet, it's a 1, I think.
I forgot to look up the site where you could find more information, before I started answering this question, but if you did a search for wine, I'm sure you will find out more.
That's what I know, and I hope you and your wife will try a White Zinfandel, it's really good. Good Luck!
It sounds like you and your wife drink Reds, if you want to switch there is a great Pino Grigio that is sweet but not like a dessert wine its Santa Margarita...very good. If it's red you want try Bolla Valpolacella, its one of my favorites. I personally like dry reds. I'm making my second barrel of wine now that is 60% pino and 40 % chardonnay. You might want to try a mix. i like the suggestion of going the the local winery, they'll let you try everything. Cheers!
Typically, the varietals are pretty close to one another, even from different vineyards. What I would suggest is either going to your local liquor store and asking them to help you make a decision (I would personally suggest a Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio/Gris and we just tried a FANTASTIC Vouvray last night..it was sweet, but not a desert wine.) Another thing to do would be to go to a tasting. The body and flavor of wine can be changed drastically by pairing it with food. So, a tasting would be a great opportunity to try new wines and get an idea of what you enjoy. Restaurants will usually advertise when they will be having a tasting menu, and most vineyards offer them as a whole meal.
Are you Guy's equipped with a Palate ?
Okay , try this.....SYRAH or GRENACHE!!!!
Or get a "Yellow Tail" SHIRAZ
I usually prefer French Wines but i tried the Shiraz at some Friends House and i kind of liked it.
Pinot Noirs and Syrahs (Austrailian Shiraz -- same grape as syrah) are generally sweeter than Merlots.
I find White Zinfadel (blush/ rose) to be very sweet (but not dessert-sweet).
Residual Sugars... The higher the % of residual sugars usally the sweeter the wine. Alcohol and Tannins also come into play with the sweet taste.
Most red wines are dry - it is inherit in the wine-making process. 'Sweeter' tasting reds are generally a result of lower tannins or acidity - look for wines that offer ultra ripe grapes due to longer, hotter growing seasons ( Australia, Chile, California ) or for wines which typically have lower tannins ( Beaujolais ). To say that Shiraz or Zinfandel wines will all taste the same is not a reliable guide. Argentina is also a good place to look for fruit forward, soft, easy drinking wines. When all else fails, look to Yellow Tail Shiraz - it is the biggest selling wine in the US for a reason (they add sugar). Also try Kosher wines - they add sugar as well.