Thursday, June 18, 2009

Sweet Red Wine Guide

Red wines are made from red grapes.


Red wines are typically made from red grapes. There are several brands and types of sweet red wines on the market. Some are made from other fruits and alcohols, and others are made only from grapes. Likewise, some may ferment for years and can be stored for years, whereas others are seasonal and should be enjoyed immediately. Sweet wines are typically served with dessert or after dinner, but if you enjoy a sweet wine, have it with your meal.


Port


This wine is typically served with desserts. It comes from Portugal and has slightly higher alcohol content than other table wines. Port is made by adding brandy to fermented wine from grapes. There are several types of port. Ruby port is the sweetest, and vintage port is the least sweet.


Beaujolais


This sweet red wine has notes of banana and pear. It is made in France. It is a seasonal wine first available in fall and winter. This wine is not meant to age, and it should be drunk immediately. It is usually harvested and released on the third Thursday in November every year, according to WineIntro.com. Most Beaujolais wines have a 10.5 percent alcohol content. The makers add sugar to increase its sweetness.


Banyuls


This is a fruit wine from France. It has a woodsy flavor similar to port, and it also has notes of cinnamon and vanilla. Unlike Beaujolais wine, this wine ages around eight years, WineIntro.com says. Banyuls can be made from a variety of fruits, including strawberries and raspberries. Depending on the fruit, the color of this wine will vary from a light pink to a deeper red.


Shiraz


Shiraz wine can be either fruity or dry. It is traditionally made in Australia, but there are some Shiraz wineries made in America. Shiraz wines have notes of plum, blackberry and mocha, but the sweet ones are usually lighter than the drier Shiraz. A sweet Shiraz will have notes of blueberries and raspberries.







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