Difference Between Sweet and Dry Wine

Sweet vs Dry Wine

You might have come across different types of wines in various names and colors. However, wines are basically differentiated as sweet and dry. So how is it that one can make out a difference between the two wines? The two types of wines differ in their taste, flavor and fermentation process.

A wine that has a sugar content is known as sweet wine, and the one that is not sugary is dry wine. Sweet wines are also known as dessert wines.

The LCBO sugar code is used for determining whether a wine is sweet or dry. The rates are from 0 to 30, where the former rates will indicate less sugar. Sweet wines normally contain about 25 per cent of residual sugars. On the other hand, dry wines contain only one per cent of residual sugars, which the tongue will not even notice.

When talking about their fermentation, dry wine is made through natural fermentation of the grapes. On the contrary, sweet wine is fortified with additives, which block the sugar in the grapes from completely turning into alcohol.

When comparing their acidic nature, dry wines are more acidic. The grapes used in sweet wine are gathered at a much later time, which means the acidity is lost and the sweetness is increased. Even when these grapes undergo fermentation, the sweetness remains. Dry wine is generally made from grapes that are plucked at an early stage, which means that it is more acidic.

Some of the known dry wines include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. The well known sweet wines include port, champagnes and Eiswein.

Summary:

1. A wine that has a sugar content is known as sweet wine, and the one that is not sugary is dry wine.

2. Sweet wines normally contain about 25 per cent of residual sugars. On the other hand, dry wines contain only one per cent of residual sugars.

3. Dry wine is made through natural fermentation of the grapes. On the contrary, sweet wine is fortified with additives, which block the sugar in grapes from completely turning into alcohol.

4. When comparing their acidic nature, dry wines are more acidic.

5. The grapes used in sweet wine are gathered at a much later time, which means the acidity is lost and the sweetness is increased. On the other hand, dry wine is generally made from grapes that are plucked at an early stage, which means that it is more acidic.

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