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There are many different types of white wine, and they can be sorted by dryness. The driest wines are the most acidic, while the sweetest wines are the most sugary. In this blog post, we will compare three different types of white wine: dry, medium-dry, and sweet. We will discuss their flavors and what foods they pair well with. We will also give you our recommendation for the best type of white wine to drink!
Following is our list of wine types from the dryest to the sweetest.
Dry White Wines
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Verdejo, Sémillon, Soave, Piquepoul
When it comes to dry white wines, Sauvignon Blanc is the driest of them all. It is also the most acidic and has a strong flavor. Chardonnay is another dry white wine, but it is not as acidic as Sauvignon Blanc. Chenin Blanc is another type of dry white wine, and it has a fruity flavor. Pinot Grigio/Gris is also a dry white wine, and it has a light flavor. Verdejo is another dry white wine, and it has a fresh flavor. Sémillon is another type of dry white wine, and it has a smooth flavor. Soave is another dry white wine, and it has a light flavor. Piquepoul is the last type of dry white wine, and it has a fresh flavor.
Medium-Dry
Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Albariño, Moschofilero
As for medium-dry white wines, Viognier is the driest of them all. It has a floral flavor and pairs well with food that has strong flavors. Marsanne is another medium-dry white wine, and it has a nutty flavor. Roussanne is another type of medium-dry white wine, and it has a fruity flavor. Grenache Blanc is another medium-dry white wine, and it has a floral flavor. Albariño is another type of medium-dry white wine, and it has a citrusy flavor. Moschofilero is the last type of medium-dry white wine, and it has a floral flavor.
Take a look at this article for help with Choosing the Perfect Riesling Wine for Any Occasion.
Sweet
Moscato d’Asti, Passito di Pantelleria, Vin Santo, Sauternes, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese
The sweetest white wines are Moscato d’Asti, Passito di Pantelleria, Vin Santo, Sauternes, Beerenauslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese. Moscato d’Asti is a sparkling wine that is very sweet and has a fruity flavor. Passito di Pantelleria is a dessert wine that is made from raisins that have been dried in the sun. Vin Santo is an Italian dessert wine that is made from grapes that have been dried in the sun. Sauternes is a French dessert wine that is made from grapes that have been affected by Botrytis cinerea, a type of fungus. Beerenauslese is a German dessert wine that is made from overripe grapes. Trockenbeerenauslese is a German dessert wine that is made from raisins that have been dried in the sun.
Based on the list above we can see that dry white wines are the most acidic while sweet white wines are the most sugary. In terms of flavor, dry white wines are typically light and crisp with citrusy notes. Medium-dry white wines are typically more aromatic with stone fruit flavors. Sweet white wines are usually very sweet with honeyed notes.
The Best Food To Pair With Moscato Wine
The Different Types Of White Wine
There are many different types of white wine. Each type has its own unique flavor profile and characteristics. But the most common are:
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a dry white wine. It has high acidity and is very crisp. It often has flavors of green apple, grapefruit, and lemon. Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with fish, poultry, and salads.
This is a great article for basic information on Wine And Food Pairings.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a medium-dry white wine. It has less acidity than Sauvignon Blanc and is more creamy. It often has flavors of apple, pear, and oak. Chardonnay pairs well with poultry, seafood, and cheese.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a sweet white wine. It has low acidity and is very light. It often has flavors of citrus, melon, and peach. Pinot Grigio pairs well with salads, seafood, and chicken.
Riesling
Riesling is a sweet white wine. It has high acidity and is very crisp. It often has flavors of peach, apricot, and honey. Riesling pairs well with pork, spicy food, and dessert.
Moscato
Moscato is a sweet white wine. It has low acidity and is very light. It often has flavors of peach, apricot, and citrus. Moscato pairs well with dessert, fruit, and cheese. It is often thought of as a very sweet dessert wine.
The Flavor Profile Of Dry, Medium-Dry, And Sweet White Wine
Dry Wines
Dry wines have a high acidity and are low in sugar. The flavors are typically fruity with strong notes of grapefruit, lemon, or lime.
Medium Dry
Medium-dry wines have a moderate acidity and a higher level of sugar than dry wines. The flavors are more complex, with fruit flavors that are mixed with floral or herbal notes.
Sweet Wines
Sweet white wines are low in acidity and high in sugar. The flavors are often very sweet, with notes of honey, vanilla, or figs.
What Foods To Pair With Each Type Of White Wine
Dry Wine
Dry wines pair well with fish, poultry, and salads. The high acidity helps to cut through the fat in these dishes.
Medium Dry
Medium-dry wines pair well with poultry, seafood, and cheese. The moderate acidity and higher sugar content help to balance out the richness of these dishes.
Sweet wine
Sweet wines pair well with pork, spicy food, and dessert. The sweetness helps to offset the spiciness of the dish, and the low acidity will not overwhelm the delicate flavors of the dessert.
Best White Wines to Pair with Italian Food
Final Thoughts About White Wine Dryness
Dry white wines are the most acidic while sweet white wines are the most sugary. In terms of flavor, dry white wines are typically light and crisp with citrusy notes. Medium-dry white wines are typically more aromatic with stone fruit flavors. Sweet white wines are usually very sweet with honeyed notes.
There are many different types of white wine. Each type has its own unique flavor profile and characteristics. But the most common are: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Moscato. Dry whites pair well with fish, poultry, and salads while sweet whites pair well with pork, spicy food, and dessert.
So, the next time you’re looking for the perfect white wine to accompany your meal, be sure to keep these guidelines in mind. And, most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do the intense fruit flavors of fortified wines pair well with salty and fatty foods?
A: Many people find that the intense fruit flavors in fortified wines pair well with salty and fatty foods. The sweetness of the wine offsets the saltiness of the food, and the richness of the wine pairs well with fatty foods. Additionally, because fortified wines are often high in alcohol, they help to cut through the richness of the food and provide a refreshing finish.
Q: Does the fermentation process of wine change the amount if residual sugar in sweeter wine?
A: The fermentation process of wine does not change the amount of residual sugar in the wine. Residual sugar is the sugar that remains in a fermented beverage after the yeast has converted all of the available sugar into alcohol. Fermentation will only reduce the amount of residual sugar by about half. Most dry wines have less than 1% residual sugar.
Q: What are the most sweet red wines?
A: There are a few different types of sweet red wines. The most common type is a dessert wine, which is a sweet wine that is usually served with dessert. Some popular dessert wines include Port, Madeira, Sauternes, and Tokaji.
Another type of sweet red wine is the fortified wine. Fortified wines are wines that have been made stronger by adding a distilled spirit such as brandy or cognac. Brandy is often used to fortify red wines such as Port and Madeira.
Q: Are all dessert wines a very sweet wine?
A: No. There are many different types of dessert wines, ranging from dry to very sweet.
The sweetness of a dessert wine is often determined by how much residual sugar is left in the wine after it has been fermented. Wines with high residual sugar tend to be sweeter than wines with low residual sugar. However, there are also many dessert wines that are made from sweet grape varieties, such as Muscat and Sauternes, that are naturally sweet even after fermentation.
Q: Does cabernet sauvignon have anything in common with grape juice?
A: Well, they’re both made out of grapes, so in that sense they have a lot in common. But grape juice is made from grapes that have been juiced and then strained, while cabernet sauvignon is made from whole grapes that have been fermented.
Cabernet sauvignon is also a lot higher in alcohol than grape juice, and it has a lot more flavor because it’s aged in oak barrels. So it’s not really fair to compare them apples to apples (or grapes to grapes). They’re both delicious, but in very different ways.
