Is Red or White Wine Sweeter? (2024)

FAQs

Is Red or White Wine Sweeter? ›

The universal question often asked, “Is red or white wine sweeter?” The answer is that white wines tend to be sweeter than red wines. But sweetness is a relative term. There is a whole range of sweetness when it comes to wines.

The sweetest type of wine is Sherry - it has the highest amount of residual sugar. The sweetest type of non-grape wine, is mead (wine made from honey, not grapes).

Neither is better than the other. It just depends on your preference/taste. Red wines are not sweet, so, if you like sweet wine, you would probably like a white wine, such as moscato, Riesling, or Pinot Grigio.

Popular wines that are sweet include Dessert Wines, Fortified Wines, Port, Sherry, Sweet Riesling, Muscat, Moscato, Lambrusco and Moscato d'Asti wines.

Again, the trusty Department of Agriculture can help us out. They say the average six-ounce glass of white wine contains about 1.73 grams of sugar. That's 0.61 grams or 64% more sugar than a glass of red wine. That also impacts the calories in white wine.

While not all white wines are sweet, in general, they provide more of a sweetness than red wines, which are typically known for their bitterness—an acquired taste for many new wine drinkers. Here's a look at some of the sweeter white wines out there, ranging from dessert status to the only slightly sweet.

Moscato is a sweet white or pink wine with a low alcohol content that pairs exquisitely with desserts and spicy food. Moscatos are made from the Muscat grape—a table grape also used for raisins—and typically feature flavors of sweet peach, orange blossom and nectarine.

The best wines for beginners are typically white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and bubbles like Prosecco. What are good red wines for beginners? Red wines without too much tannin (bitterness) are best for beginners. We recommend Bondarda, Pinot Noir, and Red Zinfandel as great places to start.

Red wine and white wine are made so differently that they pair well with different foods and contain different nutrients. For example, red wines amplify the taste of beef, pork, chocolate, and cheeses far better than white wine for most people.

Aside from the obvious difference of color, there's the type of grape used, taste and how the wines are made. White wines mostly have dry, crisp, fruity flavor. While red wines tend to have rich and bitter taste. But the main difference is in the process of making wine.

How to tell if a wine is sweet? ›

If a wine has between 1.8% and 3.5% residual sugar, it is considered “off-dry”. These wines often start sweet and finish dry. Both our White Brix and Kerus fall into this category. If a wine has between 3.6% and 12% residual sugar, it is considered “sweet”.

Pinot Grigio is considered to taste less sweet than other white wines out there and this is due to the acidity in the wine - the acidity in wine is what usually makes wine less sweet. Pinot Grigio tends to be dry or semi-sweet, it all comes down to how the winemaker makes the wine.

Both red and white wines, in moderation, can be part of a balanced lifestyle. Red wine offers slightly higher nutrient content, and aligns with the Mediterranean Diet's health benefits. This means red wine in moderation better protects against heart disease, cancer, dementia and depression than white wine.

Red wines tend to have higher alcohol content than their white counterparts. Red wines are made of grapes that are usually harvested late in the season. These grapes have more sugar than the grapes used in white wines, so fermentation leads to a higher concentration of alcohol.

If you're looking for something slightly sweeter, fruity, and well-rounded, try the Pinot Grigio. If you're looking for something with higher acidity levels and a little drier, but still on the lighter side, go with the Sauvignon Blanc.

EXTRA DRY (also known as Extra Sec, Extra Seco), 12-17 g/l residual sugar, is medium dry to your taste (dry with a hint of sweetness). DRY (also known as Sec, Secco), 17-32 g/l residual sugar, is medium sweet. DEMI-SEC (also known as Semi-Secco), 32 – 50 g/l residual sugar, is sweet.

Riesling and Moscato wines are usually admired for their incredible sweetness levels. A Moscato is generally a sweeter wine with more sugar content than a sweet Riesling wine. Moscato wines typically boast moderate acidity and a rich, fruity flavor with peach and citrus notes.

Port is one of the best sweet red wines with dark fruit notes and high residual sugars that melt in your mouth like cotton candy. If you love a strong chocolate caramel taste, this aged wine is excellent with buttery desserts like apple pie. A high-quality Tawny Port will never disappoint.