dry white

[salesman]

I am interessed in learning the term of dry white definition. When and why do we say it is a dry white? definition.

[Thomas]

Salesman, go to the Wine/Health forum. Click on the sugar and wine post--your answer is there.

[jensim]

ok...I looked in the health forum and found out dry wines are those with little, or no, suger. Many recipes call for a dry white wine...can you recommend which ones to use?

[Innkeeper]

If you are talking about dry white wine for cooking, it depends on what you are cooking. This is for two reasons. First you want something that marries with food's style. Though not absolutely essential it is usually a good idea to use Italian Wine in and with Italian Food. Secondly it depends on the wine's role in the food. If it is dominant you would want to use the same wine you are going to drink. If not, you could use a more inexpensive wine. Never use a so-called "cooking wine." The reason they are sold on the same shelf with the vinegar. Not that they are vinegar, but they are not wine either.

What white wine is dry? Just about all chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and pinot grigio/gris. Others such as riesling, gewurztraminer, and chenin blanc will usually be off dry (sweet) unless it says "dry" on the label.

[jensim]

Thank you for your help...I guess if I am going to learn about wines, I will need to know something about red wines, too, (although I do prefer the taste of the white wines I have tasted over the red ones I have tried). Are there dry red wines also? The reason I am asking so much about dry wines is that the diet I am on permits only dry wines. But I won't (hopefully) be on my diet forever and will want to try other wines later.

[Innkeeper]

Almost all red table wine is dry or very close to it. Dessert and fortified wines, e.g. Late Harvest Zinfandel, Port, Banyuls, etc. are always off dry or downright sweet. Also stay away from Lambrusco and similar wines from Italy.

If visiting a winery, especially those east of the Rockies, always inquire. Many such operations make a whole range of wines regarding sweetness.