Generally, red wine is considered dry.
While some red wines, like Ports or some inexpensive red blends, can have noticeable sweetness, the vast majority of red wines are produced to be dry. "Dry" in wine terms means that most or all of the grape sugars have been converted into alcohol during fermentation.
Here's a breakdown:
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Dry Red Wines: Most red wines fall into this category. Examples include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz/Syrah. These wines typically have little to no residual sugar.
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Sweet Red Wines: These are less common but do exist.
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Dessert Wines: Port, Vin Doux Naturel, and Ice Wine are examples of sweet red wines. They have a high sugar content due to fortified fermentation (Port, Vin Doux Naturel) or grapes being frozen on the vine (Ice Wine), which concentrates the sugars.
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Some Red Blends: Certain lower-priced red blends, often without a specific region designation, may have added sweetness to appeal to a wider audience. These are exceptions to the general rule.
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| Wine Type | Sweetness Level | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Red Wine | Dry | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz/Syrah, Chianti Classico, Rioja |
| Sweet Red Wine | Sweet | Port, Vin Doux Naturel, Ice Wine, Lambrusco (some), some inexpensive red blends (read the label carefully) |
In conclusion, while exceptions exist, it's safe to assume most red wines are dry. If you're looking for a sweet red wine, specifically check the label for terms like "dessert wine," "Port," or descriptions indicating a sweeter profile.
