Want to try something a bit different and discover a new sweet variety when you buy wine online in Australia?
Or searching for the perfect, sweet drop to complement dessert?
Sweet wines may get overlooked during wine tasting nights or when searching for the right beverage to suit a certain meal.
An acquired wine palette is generally synonymous with bitter, sophisticated, deep, rich wines, but sweet wines can be the perfect selection that also come in a variety of flavours and textures.
We’d love to encourage you to try something a little different, so if you’ve normally skipped the sweet wines, read on and get inspired to make a sweeter choice next time you shop for cheap wine online.
What colour wines are sweet?
When looking for sweet wines, white wines and rosés probably spring to mind first.
But red wines can often be sweet too… you just have to know what you’re looking for!
If you’re looking for a sweet red wine, it’s important to know that the lighter the colour, the sweeter the wine will be.
That being said, some yellowish red wines, like Luca Bosio Dolcetto d’Alba, can be even sweeter than wines of the pinkest hue.
When trying to find a sweet white wine, the rule of thumb is that the more orange the colour, the more sweet the wine is (and conversely, the more green, the drier.)
What does it mean if a wine is dry?
Dryness is used to describe the contrast of sweetness in wine.
Sweetness generally comes from how much sugar is left after fermentation.
Therefore, dry wines are referred to as such due to little to no residual sugar remaining. You can also think of dry reds, in particular, which can cause a dry sensation in your mouth.
In contrast, sweet wines can be so sweet that the liquid can stick to the wine glass when you swirl it.
If you’re looking for dry wines, try Levorato Primitivo or Heathcote Hill Shiraz.
Generally the drier the wines, the more alcoholic the wine is because the sugar in the grapes gets broken down during fermentation to produce alcohol.
Therefore, depending on how much of that sugar resides in the wine after that process, will determine how sweet or dry the wine will be.
What wines are typically sweeter?
When you think ‘sweet wine’, your mind probably heads straight to a Pink Moscato wine.
A wine’s sweetness also depends on a number of different qualities and factors, some of which include:
- Sugar and alcohol content
- Percentage of tannins
- Fermentation process
- Location, climate, and season in which the grapes were grown
Sweet varieties can include:
Dessert wines
Typically served after a meal, dessert wines usually have a higher sugar content and are made from grapes harvested later in the season (more on this below).
Late harvest wines
Late harvest wines are made from grapes that have been left on the vines longer, allowing them to develop a higher sugar content.
Fortified wines
Drinks like sherry and port are considered fortified wines, where a wine is combined with a spirit to increase both the alcohol content and the sweetness.
White wines
There are some white wines that are typically sweeter than others, including moscato and riesling.
How do you pick a good wine?
If you’re an experienced wine drinker looking for something upscale, you might like to try a Barolo such as the Marchesi di Barolo Barolo Cannubi, or the king of Australian Shiraz’s Small Gully Black Magic Shiraz.
If you’re looking for sweet wine, then we suggest something like the Barking Mad Moscato or the Tenuta Santodeno Sangiovese Appassimento Passito.
What is a good sweet wine for beginners?
Sweet wines are easy-drinking, making them a perfect choice for those starting to drink wine for the first time, as well as those looking to expand their palette and explore sweet wines in particular.
Generally speaking, the sweeter the wine, the less alcoholic it will be, since sugar converts to alcohol during fermentation.
(Another good reason why sweet wines can be good for beginners!)
If you’re looking for something in particular, we suggest Amadio Ruby’s Pink Moscato or the Astoria Fashion Victim Moscato, both of which are fruity and sweet, and a perfect intro to sweeter wines.
What kind of red wine is sweet?
Red wines are typically not as sweet as white, however fruiter varieties are often on the sweeter side. In some cases, these types of wines can be served chilled. This can be a refreshing alternative to traditional red wine which is usually served at room temperature.
If you’re looking to try a sweet red, may we suggest the Lambrusco?
There are also some varieties of popular red wines that can be both sweet or savoury, depending on the type. Consider varieties such as Mouvedre, Grenache, Mataro, or Madeira next time you order wine delivery in Melbourne.
Avoid deep reds like the Sangiovese IGT and instead steer towards Dolcetto or Appassimento wines.
And depending on the type of “sweetness” you’re looking for, you can also buy wine online in Australia with hints of liquorice, cinnamon, and even chocolate!
Where can I buy sweet wine online?
I Like Wine has a wide range of sweet and dry wines
If you’re looking for a luxurious, elegant wine or just any cheap wine online, then checkout I Like Wine’s range of wine in Melbourne, as well as our spirits and beers.
Why walk through countless aisles and inspect hundreds of bottles when you can just search what you’re looking for on our website and get it delivered straight to your door?
We offer free delivery for orders over $300*, so stock up on all your favourites and discover some new gems, too! Shop online wine sales in Australia now!
*Excludes Northern Territory, WA Country
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