Sweet Red Wine is a great introduction to red wine, particularly to those who are new to it or drink white wine. This is because of its higher sugar and lower tannin content.
The range of sweet red wine is vast, from the refreshing Australian Shiraz to Port Wine.
Learn about the top 10 sweet red wines to buy by 2023.
A Quick Intro to Sweet Red Wine
While people often confuse a red wine’s fruity flavor with its being sweet, a true mark of sweet red wine is its residual sugar.
A sweet red wine contains more than 30g of residual sugar per liter.
You can use it to determine the sweetness of your wine.
Sec: A dry wine with minimal residual sugar
Dry: Residual sugar levels range from 0.6% to 1,4%
Demisec (Half Dry): Wines with a medium-high acidity, such as Zinfandel
Late Harvest is made with grapes harvested later than normal (overripe grapes contain concentrated and sweeter liquid).
Dessert: Sweet dessert wine with 5-15% residual sweetness
Doux: sweetest Champagne or sparkling wine with more than 50g residual sugar per liter
A bottle of wine with a low alcohol level is likely to be sweet. There are some exceptions. A German Riesling may contain up to 12% alcohol but still be extremely sweet.
Sweet red wines lack the full tannin flavors of their dry counterparts, like Cab Franc and Merlot.
The sweetness of red wines is a key factor in determining their popularity.
Very Sweet ( Examples: Tawny Port, Ruby Port, and Vin Santo Rosso).
Sweet (Examples: Lambrusco, Rosso Dolce, Brachetto D’acqui, Beaujolais Nouveau)
Medium Sweet: (Examples: Zinfandel, Garnacha, Malbec, Australian Shiraz)
Extra Dry (Examples: Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Tannat)
1812 J. S. Terrantez, Madeira, Portugal ($8,398)
This rare fortified wine bottle opens to floral and balsamic aromas, followed by dried fruit, dried apricot, and clove flavors.
W & J Graham’ Ne Oublie Tawny Port from Portugal $7,656)
A truly unforgettable sweet red wine, ‘Ne Oublie’ seduces you with its nut, dried apricot, and chocolate aroma. The palate of this Portuguese wine is deep and complex.
Taylor Fladgate Limited editions 1896 Single Harvest Port (Portugal) ($4,478)
This single-harvest red wine has excellent density and concentration on the palate. Cedarwood, black pepper, and vanilla scents highlight the nose.
1997 Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Italy ($702)
This red wine has blackberry, black currant, and bright cherry aromas balanced by soft, oaky nuances of leather, tar, and smoke.
1993 Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy ($620)
This wine displays an excellent mineral character with prune and mahogany notes. The palate is full and thick with a long finish.
2013 Keo St.John Commandaria, Cyprus ($42)
This dessert wine has intoxicating aromas of honey, herbs, vanilla, and sweet spices. Dried fruit and plum notes mark the rich palate.
2019 Contero Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG, Piemonte, Italy ($21)
It is a delightfully sweet, sparkling red with a charming bouquet of rose, strawberries, raspberry, and violet. The light palate has hints of bitter almond and a gentle tannic grip on the finish.
The nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon ice wine packs delicious strawberry, raspberry, citrus, and toasted honey and caramel aromas. The palate is smooth with bright acidity.
Burra Creek Wines Princess Royal Late Harvest Shiraz Clare Valley, Australia, 2006 ($39).
Made from overripe Shiraz grapes, this sweet dessert wine has ripe plum and prune notes, complementing its textured tannins and oak notes.
2006 Lini 910 In Correggio Rosso Metodo Classico Millesimato, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($41)
This red wine opens with underbrush, toasted hazelnut, prune, and herb aromas. The dry palate shows remarkable freshness, blackberry jam, spiced blueberry, and bread crust flavors.
Let’s see why you should add these bottles to your portfolio.