dry wines

[BB_6543]

Not really into wine but want to give & serve wine at special get togethers The people I host are DRY Wine lovers, (Red) is their choice. I have been told that Dry means unsweet, is that true? The limited stores in my area have a large selection but very few bottles say Dry or Extra Dry, and with color bottles I cant tell if they are red or white wines. What should I be looking for and what brands?. I cant afford expensive brands just the poor mans wine would be nice.

[Georgie]

Hi! and welcome to the board. Go with a Cabernet Sauvignon. Ask your wine retailer for a popular,reasonably priced one. That should work.

[Innkeeper]

Hi BB, and welcome to the Wine Board. To say that "dry" means "unsweet" is a bit of a misnomer. It means that all the sugar in the grapes have been converted into alcohol. There is frequently some apparent sweetness picked up from the strong fruit flavors in those wines.

Red wines almost never talk about sweetness on the label. With a few exceptions, e.g. Lambrusco, they are mostly dry. White and sparkling wines do mention dryness and sweetness on the label in a variety of ways, because many of them can be made in many degrees of sweetness.

As far as brands are concerned, you can hardly go wrong with the reds from Columbia Crest from Washington State, or Bogle from California. Talking about quality under $15 here.