Hey wine lovers,
If you've ever stood in front of the wine rack and puzzled over the meaning of "dry," you're not alone! The phrase "what does dry wine mean?" can be a real mystery to some. But don't worry, I'll take you on a little journey through the world of wine dryness!
In wine jargon, "dry" refers to the wine's residual sugar content. A dry wine has very little sugar that hasn't been converted into alcohol during fermentation and therefore doesn't taste sweet. In Germany, for example, we call a dry wine if it contains less than 9 grams of residual sugar per liter, and if the total acidity is a maximum of 2 grams lower than the residual sugar, it may also be called "dry" (source: Grapys ).
But what does that mean for your palate? Well, dry wines often have crisp acidity and can bring out flavors that might not be as present in sweeter wines. They're great with savory dishes because they don't compete with the sweetness.
And if you're looking for a little more sugar, the "semi-dry" category comes into play, with a residual sugar content between 12 and 18 grams per liter. These are the wines that balance a bit of sweetness and acidity, taking you on a flavorful balancing act (source: Grapys ).
Long story short: The next time you're choosing wine, remember the residual sugar rule. And whether you choose dry, semi-dry, or sweet – every sip is a journey of discovery!
To your wine stories!