What is Dry?
Wine with little or no residual sugar, where fermentation has converted most sugar to alcohol.
Understanding Dry
A dry wine has fermented to completion (or near completion), converting grape sugars to alcohol with minimal residual sugar remaining. Most table wines are dry, with less than 4 grams of sugar per liter. Note that "dry" doesn't mean the wine lacks fruity flavors—you can have a dry wine that tastes fruity. The term is often confused because fruit flavors can make wines seem sweet even when technically dry.
Why It Matters
Understanding dryness helps you choose wines matching your taste preferences and pair appropriately with food.
Examples
- 1Most red wines are fully dry
- 2Brut Champagne is dry despite its bubbles
- 3Alsace Riesling can be dry despite the grape's sweet reputation
Related Wine Terms
Quick Definition
"Wine with little or no residual sugar, where fermentation has converted most sugar to alcohol."
Explore More Wine Terms
Tannins
Natural compounds in wine that create a drying, astringent sensation in the mouth.
Tasting TermBouquet
The complex aromas that develop in wine through aging, as opposed to primary fruit aromas.
Tasting TermBody
The weight and fullness of wine in your mouth, described as light, medium, or full-bodied.
Tasting TermFinish
The taste that lingers in your mouth after swallowing wine, also called the aftertaste or length.
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