Sweetness is one of the most important aspects in the balance of a wine, along with other factors such as acidity, alcohol, and tannins. It can vary considerably from one wine to another, completely altering the tasting experience and our appreciation.
To help you understand the difference between a sweet wine and a dessert wine, here is an overview of the different types of wines, categorized according to their sugar level.
Dry wines
They represent the vast majority of wines produced worldwide.They can be red, white, rosé or orange, it doesn't matter ! The only condition is that they must not exceed 4g/L of residual sugars (which is 3g in a 75cl bottle). At this level of dosage, it is imperceptible in tasting.
Off-dry wines
These wines have a slight sweetness on the palate, and their sugar content can vary between 4g and 12g/L (3g to 9g in a standard bottle). Generally, this amount of sugar gives the wine a slight indulgence and a tender side while maintaining a balanced character.
The majority of off-dry wines are whites (Vouvray, Gewurztraminer etc.) but some rosés or red wines (rarer) can also fall into this category.
Sweet wines
Here, the sugar content is even higher : between 12g and 45g/L (9g to 33.75g in a bottle). In terms of taste, the aromas in this type of wine begin to turn towards candied fruits or honey, thus expressing a great indulgence.
Once again, all colors are present here, although in reality, sweet white wines are the most common.
Sweet or dessert wines
Finally, the category of sweet wines (or dessert wines) is at the top of this pyramid.Here we find the cuvées containing more than 45g/L of residual sugars. Some wines can even reach 200g or even 300g/L !
In France, when we think of sweet wines, the Sauternes Bordeaux immediately comes to mind. Nevertheless, the Late Harvest or Selection of Noble Grains from Alsace, the Natural Sweet Wines from Languedoc-Roussillon (AOC Maury and Banyuls in particular) as well as certain cuvées from appellations like Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh in the Southwest, Muscat de Rivesaltes or even Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise in the Rhône Valley are also part of this category.
Here, indulgence and aromatic richness are essential (notes of candied fruits, honey, mild spices, etc.). Consequently, since the sugar often overpowers the dishes served, this type of wine is generally opened at dessert time.
Nevertheless, exotic and spicy cuisines can also pair wonderfully with sweet wines! Finally, foie gras is often mentioned as an ideal pairing.However, since this is generally appreciated at the beginning of a meal, it would be preferable to opt for a semi-sweet or sweet wine to avoid overwhelming the palate with sugar right from the start of the meal!
Conclusion
You will have understood that the difference between a sweet wine and a dessert wine is related to the sugar content in the wine, with a dessert wine being sweeter than a sweet wine. Nevertheless, since balance is crucial in wine, a sweet wine with good acidity and a complex aroma may seem less sweet on the palate than some less well-constructed sweet wines! It is therefore important not to generalize and to discover for yourself all the subtleties of these wines.For this, do not hesitate to call on
Sweetness scale of wines
