[Infographic] The Best Sweet Red Wines To Try This Year
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Who doesn't love a sweet red wine? Whether you're an enthusiast or sommelier, this blog post is for you!
Sweet red wines have a lot of residual sugar in them. There are several sweetness levels within this category, and these wines are perfect for those accustomed to the taste of sugary beverages like soft drinks.
We've compiled the best sweet red wines that will impress any guest. Whether you prefer a bottle from France, Chile, or Italy - we've got something for everyone!
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall - Dal Forno Romano Vigna Seré Veneto Passito Rosso 2004• Highest rated |
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Most Affordable - Riunite Lambrusco Emilia• Best-selling Lambrusco in Italy |
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Best Splurge - Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico 2004• Flavors of black cherries, figs, herbs, spices, coffee, and dark chocolate |
1. Dal Forno Romano Vigna Seré Veneto Passito Rosso 2004
This Passito is made in the Dal Forno area, just west of Venice, from grapes planted in chalky-clay soils outside the town. This wine has only been produced six times in the past 30 years, which speaks for its immense quality.
The refined tannins are supported by a remarkable degree of sharpness, sweetness, and finesse, providing the drinker with intense emotional experiences.
It is sweet and rich, with ripe red berry fruits, ground licorice, crushed stones, and candied violet flavors. A crisp acidity emphasizes the freshness of this wine that complements the flavors nicely.
2. Sandeman Fine Ruby Port
To this day, the Sandeman Ruby Port is made the old-fashioned way. It is rich and robust while having a depth of flavor and subtlety only attained by expertly blending the wine from Sandeman's extensive stock.
This sweet red wine presents a vibrant red ruby color with fresh red fruit aromas, red plums, and strawberries. It is rich, round, and well-balanced in the mouth, with plums and red fruits as the prominent flavors.
It is traditionally paired with different types of cheese, from rich, creamy, semi-soft, and hard ones. This port is also complemented by desserts such as chocolate or dessert pies, strawberries, and blueberries.
3. Tobin James Liquid Love Late Harvest Zinfandel 2016
American winemakers Tobin James and Lance Silver have mastered the style of the fruit-rich Paso Robles vineyards, using these sweet and spicy zinfandels as an example.
Their tasting room is a hub for people looking for high-quality wine from the Paso Robles region. A genuine experience is what you'll find in this bottle.
This sweet red wine has plentiful plum, blueberry, dark chocolate, raisin, and spice notes. It has refreshing acidity with soft tannins. The wine's combination of flavors complements sweet and spicy chicken dishes and barbecue chicken wings.
4. Bodkin The Crown Jewels Red Dessert Wine 2014
Based in Sonoma County, Bodkin Wines is most recognized for producing America's first home-grown sparkling Sauvignon Blanc by winemaker Christopher Christensen.
Bodkin developed this Crown Jewels’ dessert wine in the years between making history and being recognized for it. It's so good it had to be contained in a half-sized bottle.
With blackberry, saddle leather, dried fruit, plum, and orange peel notes, this half-bottle packs a full punch with a blend of black grape varietals and zinfandel. A quick berry-bright aftertaste follows the firm tannins.
5. Braida Brachetto d'Acqui 2019
Braida Brachetto d'Acqui has a light ruby red color with purple reflections. It also has lively foam and persistent perlage, making it enjoyable to drink.
This sweet wine's bouquet is fragrant and aromatic with clear hints of ripe fruit. Dried rose can be smelled as well.
The most traditional pairing for this beverage is pastries or baked desserts such as Christmas panettone and tarts. It is one of the best wines in the world that pairs well with chocolate.
6. Riunite Lambrusco Emilia
Riunite wines are made up of red Lambrusco grapes from the Emilia-Romagna area of Italy. You'll be smitten with only one sip! Lush red fruit aromas and flavors, a slightly sweet profile, and a delicate sparkle contribute to this wine's appeal.
Lambrusco grapes, which trace back to ancient Rome, are used to make Riunite Lambrusco. This sweet red wine is among the most best-selling in Italy.
It has a medium body and a slightly sweet and fruity flavor that complements pasta, red sauces, chicken meals, and spicy cuisine. This tasty red is best served chilled and can be enjoyed with or without food.
7. Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui 2019
This exquisite and lovely sparkling red hails from Banfi's award-winning estate in Tuscany's Brunello area. Rosa Regale is produced in the Brachetto d'Acqui Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, or DOCG, one of Italy's smallest producing wine regions.
It is made entirely of Brachetto grapes farmed only at the La Rosa Vineyard in Acqui Terme, Piedmont. A solitary red rose appears on the label, signifying the wine's origins at the La Rosa estate's sole vineyard.
Raspberry, cranberry, chocolate, and rose petal aromas abound in this fortified wine. The flavors are sweet and fruity, with dazzling acidity. It's fantastic if you serve it chilled.
8. P.J. Valckenberg Dornfelder 2015
Valckenberg Dornfelder is a medium-bodied fruity red wine with a good cherry scent and blackberry, black currant, and vanilla flavors.
This dark red wine's velvety soft tannins and a hint of sweetness make it an excellent meal partner, pairing well with hog, beef, cheese, and barbeque.
9. Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2020
Jam Jar made this sweet shiraz with the sole purpose of producing high-quality red wine. Because shiraz flourishes in hot climates, their vineyards in South Africa's Western Cape are perfect for optimal grape-growing. Plus, there's no added sugar in this sweet wine.
It is a true symphony of dark and red berries, including blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, and chocolate, which is not technically a fruit but is treated as such in this wine.
This sweet shiraz pairs well with savory steaks and pork meals with its bold, tannic, and acidic characteristics. The right combination of sweetness and acidity makes it approachable and enjoyable. A flexible meal wine that's best served chilled.
10. San Antonio Cardinale Red Blend
The Riboli family has owned and manned the San Antonio Winery in California for more than four generations. Its roots may be traced back to northern Italy.
In the dry and warm climate of the Paso Robles region, this Cardinale red blend is made with grapes that have been dried and fermented to produce the sweetest wine possible.
Notes of cherry and plum can be found in this medium-bodied wine. It is silky and reminiscent of a Moscato, with a sweetness similar to marmalade. This sweet wine has a robust and lively flavor, as well as a brief and pleasant finish.
11. Philip Togni Ca' Togni Sweet Red
Winemaker Philip Togni is regarded as a legend in the industry. This organic dessert wine is made from grapes harvested from his own vineyards that are rare and well developed.
This bottle is inspired by Constantia, a well-known South African dessert wine, but Togni added his own Napa Valley twist to create an excellent taste experience.
Aromas of flowers fill your nose, with hints of prune, fig, and black cherry trailing close behind. On the palate, there are aromas of chocolate and spiced tea complemented by a tinge of acidity. A pleasant aftertaste remains with a smooth finish.
12. Graham’s 20-Year-Old Tawny Port
Graham's 20-Year-Old Tawny Port has an amber with a golden tawny hue. It has an excellent fragrance with a distinctive "nutty" flavor reminiscent of almonds and exquisite mature fruit with overtones of orange peel.
On the palate, it's rich, sweet, and silky smooth, with a long and lingering finish. This wine is a delightful choice for those with a sweet tooth, pairing amazingly well with vanilla ice cream or crème brulée.
To fully experience its richness and sensual pleasure, serve it slightly chilled. Classic port wine glasses or white wine glasses are ideal for drinking this fortified wine.
13. Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico 2004
Quintarelli's 2004 Recioto, with its kaleidoscopic layers, silky texture, and mind-boggling complexity, represents its excellent growing season.
This wine layers delicious black cherries and succulent figs with minty herbs, Christmas spices, coffee, leather, and dark chocolate in a Port-like taste that blends lively acidity with potent dry extract.
In the wine's lingering, extended finish, velvety tannins provide a seductive backdrop, while savory and earthy flavors enhance the sweet fruits.
Because one ordinary bottle requires 30 lbs of grapes and at least 10 years of maturing, it is only produced three to four times a decade. Everything you believe about dessert wine will be challenged by this hedonistic beverage.
14. Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend 2019
Apothic Red is a compelling and exciting red wine blend that served as the foundation for the Apothic legacy. It is made using a combination of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah grapes.
This California wine treats the senses and has a distinctive personality with black cherry, vanilla, and mocha notes.
This smooth and rich mix has a medium body and pairs well with whatever your dish for the evening is. The most incredible way to enjoy Apothic Red is with many friends and family to share.
Wine Sweetness Chart
Conclusion
The sweetness level of red wines depends on the amount of sugar left during winemaking. Dry wines have zero to less than 1% sweetness, while those with about 4-7% sweetness are considered sweet red wines.
Sweet red wines are perfect for people who love drinking sugary beverages. They are also excellent to serve for any occasion. We hope this article has given you some ideas about the best sweet red wines to try for the special events in your life.
Did you like reading this article? Let us know in the comments!
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