What white wine is high in sugar?

White wines range in sweetness from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, with the sugar content depending on grape ripeness and the winemaking process. Some of the most popular white wines with a high sugar content include Moscato, late-harvest Riesling, and Sauternes, which can contain significantly more sugar than their dry counterparts. Understanding residual sugar (RS) is key to identifying which white wine is high in sugar.

Quick Summary

This article explores the high-sugar white wine varieties, detailing the winemaking techniques that increase residual sugar levels. It provides a guide to popular dessert and sweet white wines, explaining the flavor profiles and sugar content for each type. Information is also included on how to identify these wines and the factors influencing their sweetness.

Key Points

• Moscato is a popular, high-sugar white wine known for its light, fruity, and often sparkling character.

• Late-harvest Rieslings contain significant residual sugar, balanced by high acidity for a complex flavor.

• Sauternes is a world-renowned dessert wine with very high sugar levels, created using grapes affected by noble rot.

• Ice Wine is made from frozen grapes, producing an intensely sweet and concentrated nectar.

• The residual sugar (RS) is the key indicator of a wine's sweetness, determined by winemaking methods and harvest timing.

• Gewürztraminer and sweet Chenin Blanc styles also offer distinct, high-sugar options.

• Sweet white wines pair well with a variety of foods, from spicy dishes to rich desserts.

What is Residual Sugar and How Does It Relate to Sweetness?

Residual sugar (RS) is the natural grape sugar left in a wine after the alcoholic fermentation is complete. During fermentation, yeast consumes grape sugar and converts it into alcohol. The amount of residual sugar that remains determines the wine's sweetness level.

Winemakers can control the level of residual sugar through several methods:

• Harvest timing: Grapes harvested later in the season are riper and contain more concentrated sugars.
• Stopping fermentation early: Chilling the must or adding spirits (fortification) can kill the yeast before all sugar is converted to alcohol.
• Noble rot (Botrytis cinerea): This beneficial fungus dehydrates the grapes, concentrating the sugars and flavors. Famous examples include Sauternes.
• Ice wine production: Grapes are left on the vine to freeze. The frozen water is separated during pressing, leaving a highly concentrated, sugary juice.

Popular High-Sugar White Wine Varietals

Moscato

Moscato is a sweet, often lightly effervescent white wine known for its fruity and floral aromas. Made from Muscat grapes, it is a very accessible and popular sweet wine choice. Common flavors include peach, apricot, and orange blossom. Moscato d'Asti, a slightly sparkling Italian version, has around 90-120 g/L of residual sugar.

Riesling

Riesling is an extremely versatile grape, producing wines that range from bone-dry to intensely sweet. Sweet Rieslings, such as German Spätlese or Auslese and the most intensely sweet Trockenbeerenauslese, are known for their high sugar content. Flavors often include honey, citrus, and stone fruits, balanced by high acidity.

Sauternes

One of the most famous and premium sweet white wines, Sauternes comes from the Bordeaux region of France. It is made primarily from Sémillon grapes affected by noble rot, which concentrates the sugars and creates rich, complex flavors. Sauternes can have extremely high residual sugar levels, ranging from 120-220 g/L.

Ice Wine (Eiswein)

Ice wine is an intensely sweet dessert wine produced from grapes that have frozen naturally on the vine. The process concentrates the sugars and flavors, resulting in a rich, vibrant, and highly acidic wine. Common grapes include Riesling and Vidal, and residual sugar levels can be as high as 180-320 g/L.

Gewürztraminer

Often made in a semi-sweet or sweet style, Gewürztraminer is known for its aromatic profile with notes of lychee, rose, and ginger. Late-harvest Gewürztraminer from regions like Alsace, France, can have a high residual sugar content, providing a spicy, rich sweetness.

Chenin Blanc

While Chenin Blanc can be made in a dry style, it is also used to produce sweet and honeyed dessert wines, particularly in France's Loire Valley. These sweet versions, known as moelleux, balance rich flavors of quince and apple with bright acidity.

Comparing High-Sugar White Wines

Varietal	Key Characteristics	Typical Sugar Content (g/L)	Notable Regions
Moscato	Light, fruity, and often sparkling. Flavors of peach, apricot, orange blossom.	90–120	Italy (Asti), California, Australia
Late-Harvest Riesling	Balanced sweetness with high acidity. Flavors of honey, stone fruit, and citrus.	45–150	Germany (Mosel), Alsace, Finger Lakes (USA)
Sauternes	Rich, luscious, and complex. Notes of honey, dried apricot, and marmalade.	120–220	Bordeaux (Sauternais), France
Ice Wine	Intensely sweet with concentrated fruit flavors. High acidity for balance.	180–320	Canada, Germany, Austria
Gewürztraminer (Sweet)	Aromatic and spicy with notes of lychee, rose, and ginger.	60–90	Alsace, Germany, New Zealand
Sweet Chenin Blanc	Rich, honeyed, with apple and quince notes. Often a good balance of sweetness and acidity.	45–130	Loire Valley, France; South Africa

Conclusion

When asking what white wine is high in sugar, the answer lies in understanding residual sugar and the different winemaking techniques used to achieve it. Dessert wines like Sauternes, Ice Wine, and Late-Harvest Riesling are the most prominent examples, often reaching over 100 g/L of sugar. Other popular choices include Moscato, Gewürztraminer, and certain Chenin Blanc styles, which also offer a range of delicious sweetness. These wines are intentionally crafted to be sweet and are a treat to be enjoyed in smaller quantities. While many dry white wines contain very low levels of sugar, knowing these varietals allows you to confidently select a high-sugar option when desired.

For further reading on the science behind winemaking, a detailed guide can be found at The Australian Wine Research Institute.

How to Choose a Sweet White Wine

• Look for terms like 'Late Harvest' or 'Dessert Wine': These phrases are a strong indicator of a high sugar content.
• Read the label for style indicators: For Riesling, look for terms like Auslese or Trockenbeerenauslese. For Italian wines, Dolce or Amabile can signal sweetness.
• Pay attention to alcohol by volume (ABV): Wines with lower ABV (below 10%) often have a higher residual sugar content because fermentation was stopped early.
• Consider the region: Certain regions specialize in sweet wines, such as Sauternes in Bordeaux or the Mosel Valley in Germany.
• Ask a wine retailer: Knowledgeable staff can guide you to the sweetest wines based on your preferences, and some may even have access to technical sheets listing residual sugar.

High-Sugar White Wine Food Pairing Guide

• Moscato: Pairs well with light desserts, fresh fruit tarts, and soft cheeses.
• Sauternes: An excellent pairing for foie gras, blue cheese, or crème brûlée.
• Late-Harvest Riesling: Complements spicy Asian cuisine, pork dishes, and apple desserts.
• Ice Wine: A classic pairing for fruit-based desserts, cheesecake, or vanilla ice cream.
• Gewürztraminer: Works beautifully with fragrant and spicy foods like curry or rich, flavorful dishes.

Conclusion

For those seeking a high-sugar white wine, the world of dessert and fortified wines offers a wide array of options. From the light and sparkling Moscato to the intensely concentrated Ice Wine, the level of sweetness is determined by winemaking practices like timing the harvest, using noble rot, or freezing grapes. These wines provide a rich and flavorful experience, perfect for pairing with desserts or enjoying as a special treat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the sweetest white wine you can buy?

Among the sweetest white wines are Ice Wine and Tokaji Aszú, which can have exceptionally high residual sugar levels, often exceeding 100 grams per liter.

How can you tell if a white wine is high in sugar just by looking at the label?

Look for terms like 'Late Harvest,' 'Dessert Wine,' or specific regional indicators such as German Auslese or French Sauternes. A lower alcohol by volume (ABV), typically below 10%, can also suggest a higher residual sugar content.

Is Moscato always a sweet white wine?

Yes, Moscato is known for its sweet, fruity flavor profile and is typically produced with a high residual sugar content, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a sweet white wine.

What is the difference between dry white wine and high-sugar white wine?

Dry white wines have had most or all of their grape sugar converted to alcohol during fermentation, leaving minimal residual sugar. High-sugar white wines, conversely, have a high level of residual sugar due to methods like stopping fermentation early or concentrating the grapes.

Is high-sugar white wine bad for you?

Like any alcoholic beverage, high-sugar wine should be consumed in moderation. Excessive sugar intake is linked to health concerns like weight gain and diabetes. However, a moderate amount is not typically an issue for a healthy individual.

What kind of food pairs well with high-sugar white wine?

Sweet white wines pair excellently with desserts, soft and blue cheeses, and spicy foods. The sweetness helps balance the heat and acidity in many dishes.

Why do some grapes produce sweeter wine than others?

The grape's ripeness at harvest is a key factor. Grapes left on the vine longer will have a higher sugar concentration. Some varieties, like Muscat, are naturally sweeter than others like Chardonnay.

Does fermentation create sweetness in wine?

Fermentation actually removes sweetness by converting grape sugar into alcohol. A wine becomes sweet when fermentation is stopped before all the sugar is consumed by the yeast, leaving residual sugar behind.