What is a sweet wine?

Sweet wines are known for their high residual sugar content, which gives them a sweet taste on the palate. These wines are often enjoyed as a dessert or after-dinner treat due to their sweet flavor profile.

Some common types of sweet wines include:

• Moscato: A light, sweet wine with floral and fruity notes, often enjoyed as a refreshing drink or paired with desserts.
• Riesling: A versatile German wine known for its varying levels of sweetness, ranging from dry to very sweet.
• Port: A fortified wine from Portugal that is rich and sweet, often enjoyed as a dessert wine or in cocktails.
• Sauternes: A French wine made from botrytized grapes, which gives it a rich, honeyed flavor profile that pairs well with blue cheese or foie gras.

Sweet wines are often made from grapes that have been left on the vine longer to develop higher sugar levels, or through the addition of sugar or the interruption of fermentation to retain sweetness. These wines can vary in sweetness levels, from slightly sweet to very sweet, depending on the winemaking process and grape varietal used.