Dry Wine
Dry Wine
Dry wine is a wine that contains very little to no residual sugar, resulting in a flavor profile that lacks sweetness. It is defined by sugar levels (often under 4g/L) and not by mouth drying tannins. Dry wines are created by allowing the yeast to consume almost all the natural grape sugars during fermentation. They can taste fruity, crisp or acidic and good examples include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and Syrah. A dry sparkling wine is labeled “brut”.
See Also
Blend
A blend is the combination of two or more different grape varieties, vineyard parcels, fermented wines or vintages to create a more balanced, complex and consistent wine.
Prosecco
Prosecco refers to the Italian sparkling white wine which is crafted from at least 85% Glera grapes in Northeast Italy. It is produced using the Charmat (tank) method, typically light, fresh and fruit forward.
Fortified Wine
Fortified wine is a style of wine to which a distilled spirit (usually brandy) has been added, resulting in a higher alcohol content (15-22%). The spirits are either added during fermentation to create sweet wines like Port, or after fermentation to craft dry wines like Sherry.
Rosé
Rosé is a type of wine that is made from red grapes that gains its signature pink color through brief contact with the grape skins. Rosé combines the crispness of white wine with the red fruit flavors of red wine, featuring notes of red fruit, flowers, citrus and melon.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port is a sweet fortified wine from Portugal's Duoro Valley. It is aged in small oak barrels which encourage more oxygen interaction, causing the color to shift from red to brownish amber and creates a caramelized taste.
Madeira
Madeira is a fortified wine from the Portuguese island of Madeira, famous for being produced under intense heat and oxidation, which makes it exceptionally age worthy.
Port
Port wine is a sweet, fortified wine from Douro Valley, Portugal. It is created by halting the fermentation process early by the addition of brandy, resulting in a rich, high alcohol wine.
Natural Wine
Natural wine is produced with minimal intervention, using organic or biodynamic grapes and little to no additives, synthetic chemicals, preservatives or artificial yeasts. There is no legal definition for natural wine and it is often described as a winemaking philosophy, rather than a strict style.