Brighten Up Your Summer With These Sweet White Wines
There’s nothing like popping a bottle of chilled sweet white wine on a warm summer day.
The crisp flavor of a sweet wine compliments the brighter notes of summertime foods. Lemon and herb fish, a crunchy salad, and a platter of fruit all go well with the sweet adult beverage.
But, what is sweet white wine and how is it different from the run-of-the-mill white wine?
How is white wine made?
White wine and sweet white wine differ in how the wine is made. Both wines are made from grapes of all colors – including red and green grapes. The skin is removed during the process of making both types of wine.
“Skins are bitter and are generally not used during the ferment,” doctor of education, sommelier, certified winemaker, master wine taster, and certified specialist of wine John McTavish told 21Ninety.
To make non-sweet white wine, the juice is squeezed from the grapes and ferments for a longer period of time than the sweet variety.
“If the ferment is longer, all the sugar in the juice turns into ethanol alcohol which is what we drink,” McTavish said.
Making Sweet White Wine
The all-around wine expert said that there are two main ways to make the beverage.
The most common process involves shortening the fermentation process to leave more sugar and less alcohol in the mix.
“Halting the ferment early leaves a greater amount of residual sugar in the wine, making it sweeter,” the master wine taster mentioned.
Drying or freezing the grapes ahead of fermentation is another method. These two processes concentrate the sugars within the fruit.
How to find a good sweet white wine
“A good sweet wine should have a balance of sweetness from the fruit as well as some natural acidity from the juice,” Dr. McTavish explained.
When there is no acid present, the wine specialist noted that the wine can have an almost gummy texture. On the flip side, if there is too much acid present, then the wine will more often than not have a sour taste.
“Balance is the key in the winemaking process,” McTavish added.
When shopping for sweet white wines, Dr. McTavish suggests paying attention to the region listed on the label. Canada’s Icewine, France’s Sauternes, Italy’s Recioto, Portugal’s Porto, and Spain’s Cream Sherry are the varieties the winemaker mentioned.
Osborne White Porto
$25
Photo Courtesy of Total Wine
Dr. McTavish recommended trying a Portuguese Porto, so Osborne’s White Porto had to be on the list. It boasts a blend of floral and honey notes.
With an ABV of 19.5 percent it’s on the stronger side, so one glass goes a long way. This Portuguese Porto has 750ml of medium-bodied deliciousness
B Lovely Riesling
$14
Photo Courtesy of tot
Hailing from Washington state is B Lovely’s Riesling. The light-bodied sweet white wine has an ABV of 12.5 percent.
Notes of peach, apricots, and citrus burst from the 750ml bottle.
Chateau Miselle Sauternes
$18
Photo Courtesy of Total Wine
Another variety of Dr. McTavish recommended was the French Sauternes. Chateau Miselle Sauternes is a French wine from the Bordeaux region of France.
The medium-bodied sweet white wine exudes notes of peaches and honey. A great option to pair with dessert. One 375ml bottle has an ABV of 13 percent.
Mueller Piesporter Michelsburg Auslese
Mueller Piesporter Michelsburg Auslese
$19
Photo Courtesy of Total Wine
Mueller Piesporter Michelsburg Auslese is a sweet white wine from Germany. The medium-bodied sweet white wine tastes of peach and citrus.
One 750ml bottle has an ABV of 14 percent.
Inniskillin Icewine Spark Vidal
Inniskillin Icewine Spark Vidal
$90
Photo Courtesy of Total Wine
Inniskillin Icewine Spark Vidal is a Canadian Icewine with a lower ABV of 10 percent. As an ice wine it’s technically on the sweeter side than most sweet white wines, according to the expert’s guidelines.
This particular light-bodied wine has spiced fruity notes of peach and nectarine in each 375ml bottle.
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