Dry or Sweet Wine? Selecting the Perfect Wine

Do you find yourself having a hard time selecting the perfect wine for that special occasion? Maybe you’re confused by so many wines to choose from. Do you know how to select a wine based on whether it is sweet or dry? What really is the difference between a sweet or dry wine? At Club Jeroboam we know wine and we can point you in the right direction.
The terms used to describe wine as sweet, dry, or semi-dry- refer to the level of the sweet flavors you detect when you drink a glass of wine. Other factors influencing whether a wine will be sweet or dry is the type of grapes selected to make the wine, as well as the fermentation level reached to reduce or increase the sugar level in that barrel of wine.

Dry Wine: What Makes It Dry?

A wine is considered “dry” when all the grape sugar is converted to alcohol during fermentation. In fact, to be considered dry, it must have less than 1% residual sugar. There is also wine that is considered “bone-dry” because it has been stripped to 0.5% of its residual sugar. The difference between dry and bone-dry wines are difficult to detect just by tasting it. To make true dry wine, the fermentation should go on for a longer period of time than it does for sweet or dessert wines. If a dry wine is what you are in the mood for, Club Jeroboam has what you are looking for. You do not want to miss out on our vintage #2 of Companion, Cabernet Sauvignon, from Mt. Veeder in Napa Valley. You will enjoy an intense black berry flavor, beautiful French oak and just a hint of tobacco from this incredible dry wine.

Perhaps you would prefer a delicious Chardonnay. May we suggest our Cabreo La Pietra? This selection is known for its complex fruit and floral notes with a rich aroma. It has great structure and an outstanding minerality, and crisp acidity. These dark red wines make great dinner wines.

Sweet Wine: What Makes It Sweet?

Sweet wines or fruity wines are at the complete opposite end of the spectrum than dry wines. Some of the factors that determine the level of sweetness in a glass of wine are acidity, tannins, and alcohol content. Sweet wines, also known as “semi-dry” or “off- dry” wines, have a mild perceptible sweetness. The reason some wines are sweeter than others is due to the ripeness of the grapes used to make the wine. The riper the grapes, the sweeter the wine. Oak barrels used to store the wine during fermentation can also cause a sense of sweetness, such as a caramel or cream soda note. The sweet wines at Club Jeroboam, such as our delicate and elegant La Sablette Rose wine, have a wonderful richness and a soft texture. It is full of ripe strawberry, watermelon, and tea flavors, as well as mouthwatering acidity and some minerality.

Making your Selection with Club Jeroboam

With a membership to Club Jeroboam you can always have a variety of wines on hand, dry or sweet. No matter what the occasion, a small gathering or an intimate dinner for two, you are always prepared with a variety of our red, white, rosé or sparkling wines. We can help you make those selections today!