There are so many different kinds of wine that you can purchase, some very sweet and some very dry, which ones you’ll prefer will really just come down to your taste buds.
You might absolutely adore a sweet wine, while your best friend may absolutely hate it, it’s all really about personal preference.
But usually, when you pick a wine that you like, you tend to pick a side, sweet or dry. What makes a wine sweet or dry?
Basically, it all depends on how much of the sugar is converted into alcohol throughout the fermentation process.
The more sugar that is left, the sweeter the wine will be.
Some people can get a little confused when you say a dry wine because wine is a liquid, so it’s wet right?
Well, when you refer to a wine as dry you’re not actually talking about the wine itself per se.
It’s more about the feeling left in your mouth after you’ve taken a sip.
A dry wine that is packed full of tannins will dry your mouth out, whereas a sweet wine will not.
You can get sweet and dry versions of both red and white wines. So let’s take a look at some of the sweetest wines there are to offer.
Sweet White Wines
Moscato & Moscatel Dessert Wine
Moscato & Moscatel wines are a fairly reputable and popular type of dessert wine.
These glasses of wine are sure to be very sweet, and are often fairly low in alcohol content, at least they are compared to your typical glass of wine.
This makes this type of wine the perfect kind to have after a big meal as it won’t be too heavy. It’s the perfect pairing for any tasty pudding too.
Sauternes
Sauternes is a very sweet wine that originates from France.
It uses a really unique type of grape and they are actually partially raisined too to give them this very distinctive flavor that you won’t find in many other wines.
If you enjoy an extremely sweet wine that has notes of fruity flavors, then this may be the choice for you as you’ll often find a sauternes to have notes of peach, honey, or apricot.
Riesling
If you know a thing or two about wine, you may have already guessed that this would show up on the list.
It is an incredibly popular wine choice for those who like their wine a little sweeter.
If you’re ever unsure of a wine to buy and all you know is they want it sweet – pick the riesling.
This is a nice safe option that most people will enjoy and it pairs well with most foods including pork and chicken.
It often has fruity hints of lemon, lime, apricot, or pineapple. It’s just a general crowd-pleaser.
Sweet Red Wine
Port
Port is a very popular drink that always tends to show up more around Christmas time, but it is perfect for any occasion.
It’s popular as a dessert wine since it’s full-bodied without being too acidic, and is of course very sweet.
It’s usually described as tasting of dried fruit, spice, hazelnut, and caramel. And if you want a sweet red wine, ports about as sweet and red as they come.
But you’ll need to be careful while sipping away at some port because it is much higher than normal red wines in terms of alcohol content, and it’ll sit on your stomach as it’s quite rich and heavy.
Banyuls
Banyul wines come from France and are also best known for being a dessert wine.
This probably comes from the overtones of chocolate, mint, and strawberry flavors.
This wine does have a slightly lower alcohol content than port. But it’s still up there for red wine, so be sure to drink responsibly.
Vin Santo
As you have probably figured out for yourself by now, most very sweet wines tend to be dessert wines. And the same goes for this wine.
This wine is typically made in Italy and it’s a very, very sweet wine. It has hints of hazelnut, honey, and caramel to ensure a delicious taste.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of a good sweet wine and haven’t given any of these a go, I’d definitely recommend giving some a try.
These are, in my opinion, the best of the best when it comes to sweet wine.
Most are dessert wines, so to really get the full experience, I’d suggest pouring yourself a glass as you tuck into a delicious pudding (I’m sure I’ll hear no complaints there).
Which of these wines tastes the best, or which one will be your favorite, is really down to personal preference.
If you’re particularly enthusiastic about getting to taste quite a few different wines then it could always be a great idea to visit a local winery.
Doing so, you’ll be able to taste a wide range of different types of wine to determine which ones are your favorite, and it may even save you the pain of buying a very expensive bottle of wine, and bringing it home only to find out that you’re not fond of the taste of it and wasting the whole bottle.
Not only this but it’s a great way to have fun or the perfect idea for a date, and you’ll also get to learn a lot of information about wine and how it’s made in the process.
But whether you stick strictly to reds, or you’re more fond of a white wine, there is always a sweet version of wine out there for you.
Of course, I can’t promise that you’ll like every bottle that I’ve mentioned on the list, but if you’re looking for a new tipple to try at night, it’s a great place to begin.
So what do you think? Which super sweet wine sounds the nicest?
Hi, I’m Rachel Edwards and I enjoy a glass of wine as much as the rest of them. Well, maybe slightly more.
My parents own a vineyard in Napa Valley and were constantly making new wines for the locals to try. Their brand was one of the most popular across the US at one point. My sister and I loved running up and down the vines, picking the grapes for our parents, and even helping with the ideas.
Since moving out of the family home, my love for wine has not waivered - in fact, I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur. I’m always the one to bring the wine to our girly gatherings, family meals, and picnics - let me know what we’re doing, and I’ll supply the goods.
