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- Mrjffwilhelm - 08-25-2004
I am new to wines and I was wondering if I could get a listing of wines and their different tastes. What types of wines are dry,semi-dry,semi-sweet and sweet. I would appreciate it. Thanks :-) !!
Mrjff
- wondersofwine - 08-25-2004
Welcome to the board. We hope you will become a regular visitor.
Your question is difficult to answer because the same grape, such as Riesling, can be used to make either dry or slightly off dry or decidedly sweet wines. The majority of red wines are vinified as dry wines (minimal residual sugar). This includes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah or Shiraz, etc. Lambrusco is an Italian red wine with some sweetness. Mavrodaphne is a Greek red wine with some sweetness. A ruby or red Port may also have some sweetness but this is wine fortified with brandy and has a higher alcoholic content. Some red wines are technically dry but have less tannin and seem fruity and almost taste as if they were sweet wines (the Gamay grape used in Beaujolais wine and the Pinot Noir grape used in red Burgundies and in domestic Pinot Noir wines fall into this category quite often). With white wines, Chardonnay is usually vinified as a dry wine (although a late-harvest sweet Chardonnay is possible), Sauvignon Blanc is usually a dry wine, etc. Besides Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Viognier can be vinified as sweet wines. Gewurztraminer also. Banfi makes a sparkling rose wine from Brachetto that tastes similar to strawberries and raspberries that appears to be a sweet wine.
A good way to learn about wines including cool climate grapes versus warm climate grapes and sweet versus dry is with Andrea Immer's book Great Wines Made Simple. Another starting book is Wine for Dummies. I still consult both books at times and I've been drinking wine for over 30 years.
[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 08-25-2004).]
[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 08-25-2004).]
- winoweenie - 08-25-2004
Hi MrJeff and welcome to the board. A question as broad and obtuse as yours needs to be addressed by a great wine primer. Wines for Dummies and Immers book for novices are two of the most comprehensive in their explanations. Look back for 100 days on this thread and
you can find how to get them. WW