The Best Sweet Wines for Beginners

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If you’re just getting started with exploring wines, you can look forward to a wide and diverse range of wines available that’s suitable for all palates. Because everyone comes with different preferences and tastes, it’s crucial to learn how to find the perfect sweet wine. Here, we share everything you need to know about finding the best sweet wines for beginners.

What are Sweet Wines?

When you’re a beginner looking for good sweet wines, you must first understand why they’re sweet in the first place. These different wines can range from a very dry to a very sweet taste depending on various factors. Which wines end up dry and which are sweet can be differentiated based on how much residual sugar per liter is left once the fermentation process is done.

Wines that have more than 5% residual sugar are classified as sweet wines while those with 7% to 9% residual sugar are considered to be dessert wines. Winemakers can control the sweetness of wines by controlling how much sugar is in the grapes by selecting the right varieties and time of harvest. When left longer on the vines, grapes can get more time to develop their natural sugars, so late-harvest grapes can produce sweeter wines.

Sauternes wines from the Bordeaux region of France, along with others come with a distinctive flavor due to the addition of noble rot, a type of fungus that shrivels up wine grapes and concentrates sugars. If you’re looking for more hands-on experience when exploring wine, consider going to a wine tasting so you can get more knowledge from professionals. This can be a great way to connect you with sommeliers who can give you an in-depth understanding of flavors and food pairings.

What Makes Wine Sweet?

If you’re in the market for the best wine that has sweet notes, there are five structural components that give the wine its sweetness.

Sugar

It’s only natural that wines with higher sugar levels will be sweeter than those at lower levels. Wines will often come with two kinds of sugar, known as added sugar and residual sugar. In general, most sweet wines will only have natural sugar that’s left in the wine once it finishes the fermentation process.

Alcohol Content

Most of the time, wines that come with a lower alcohol content will be sweeter. Typically, wines with less than 10% alcohol content will create a mildly sweet taste. If you’re looking for sweet wines that beginners will appreciate, it’s a good idea to check options with 8% to 9% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Acidity

Because a wine’s sweetness can be countered through acidity, sweet wines will generally come with low acidity and vice versa. So if you’re new to wines and have a bit of a sweet tooth, you should avoid buying wines that have high levels of acidity.

Tannin

In wines, tannins give it a bitter taste and will usually leave a dry sensation in your mouth. Fortunately, you shouldn’t face this problem if you choose good-quality wines; the sugar content inside sweet wines will make it taste smoother since it will mask the tannins.

Oak

In commercial settings, the wine barrels are often toasted; this is done to help add sweetness to the wine. Generally, keeping wine inside toasted oak barrels can add notes of caramel, butterscotch, or vanilla to your wine.

Different Types of Sweet Wines

No matter where you go to shop, you will notice a wide range of sweet wines as you browse down the wine aisle. However, the most common types of sweet wines include port wine, sauternes, and ice wines which we discuss below. Other excellent sweet wines for beginners are White Zinfandel, Dornfelder, Lambrusco, Muscat, Riesling, Brachetto, and Zinfandel.

Ice wine

This type of wine falls under the category of dessert wines but the process of growing these grapes is different from others. The grapes used to make ice wine are frozen as a result of being grown in cold climates and are left to freeze before being turned into wine. As such, their sugar content is well preserved and the wine extracted from them is sweeter.

Sauternes

Created in France, Sauternes is a kind of sweet wine that can be developed from various types of grapes, including Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. The Sauternes are among the best sweet wines for beginners since they come with a good balance between mild acidity and sweetness. You’ll find these in a wide range of refreshing flavors such as honey, along with fruity flavors like apricots and peaches.

Port

This fortified wine is commonly sweet; Port is a red wine that comes in many varieties such as white, dry, and semi-dry wine. The grapes used to make Port wine are often grown in Portugal; after the wine is extracted from the grapes, it gets fortified. This means that distilled spirits such as brandy are added which can help to preserve residual sugar inside the wine while increasing alcohol content.

Best Sweet Wines for Beginners

When you want to experience the best sweet wines but want to ease yourself into the experience, these are the best options for beginners.

Cabernet Franc

Where it comes from: The Libournais and Bordeaux regions in France
Notable Aromas: Chill pepper, raspberry, bell pepper, strawberry, and tobacco
ABV: 11.5% to 13.5%
Other Names: Breton, Bordo, Cabernet Franco, Cabernet Franc, and Bouchet

This wine is loved for its low astringency and tannin content, making it a great choice for beginners looking to experience their first sweet wine. It is a red wine that’s smooth and soft, featuring fruity flavors. The Cabernet Franc has a light body, so it can be paired with various foods such as cheeses, dark chocolate, and roasted meats.

Moscato

Where it comes from: Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo in Italy
Notable Aromas: Orange blossom, honeysuckle, pear, mandarin orange, and Meyer lemon
ABV: 5% to 7%
Other Names: Muscat

This wine typically comes with a light body and is considered to be a sweet dessert wine that comes with light bubbles. There are different kinds of Moscato wines, but some of the best choices for beginners include Moscato d’Asti and Muscat de Rivesaltes wines.

Moschofilero

Where it comes from: The Peloponnese region and Greece
Notable Aromas: Honeydew, potpourri, lemon, almond, and pink grapefruit
ABV: 11% to 13.5%
Other Names: Filleri Tripoleos, Mosxofilero, Moschophilero, and Phileri Tripoleos

Many wine oenophiles will recommend trying your first Moschofilero while it’s still fresh and young. This full-bodied wine comes with a crisp, sweet, and fruity taste partnered with a lively acidity. To make the most out of your Moschofilero, be sure to pour a glass with some Greek food, spicy food, grilled chicken, or seafood while you dive into its rich taste.

Chenin Blanc

Where it comes from: Loire Valley in France and South Africa
Notable Aromas: Persimmon, yellow apple, mandarin orange, peach, lime, and passion fruit
ABV: 12% to 14.5%
Other Names: Pineau de la Loire, Pinot Blanco, Bonnezeaux, Savennieres, and Steen

The Chenin Blanc comes in many varieties but if you want only the best sweet wines, look for flavors like dried persimmon, mandarin orange, mango, and toasted almond. This wide spread of tastes makes it the ideal choice for sweet and sour meals, so you can pair it with cheese, meat, and vegetables.

Pink Moscato

Where it comes from: California and Australia
Notable Aromas: Peach, jasmine, orange blossom, fresh berry, citrus, and melon
ABV: 5% to 7%
Other Names: Pink Muscat, Muskat Ruza Porecki, Moscato Rosa, and Moscatel Roxo

Pink Moscato is referred to as a sweet and fruity wine that comes in a variety of floral and tropical flavors. Usually, this wine is lightly sparkling or still and is made using a mix of red wine and White Moscato; if you want to balance out your spicy foods, adding a glass of Pink Moscato should do the job.

White Merlot

Where it comes from: Australia, the United States, and the Bordeaux area in France
Notable Aromas: Citrus, cherry, nutmeg, and Fresh berry
ABV: 10% to 13%
Other Names: None

Among the rosé wines, White Merlot comes with a soft flavor profile with notes of fruits and should be served chilled. It comes with low levels of tannin which gives it a sweet flavor while the added berry gives its color. To extract the best taste out of White Merlot, be sure to drink it with pizza, spicy tacos, smoked cheese, shrimp, or mandarin chicken salad.

White Zinfandel

Where it comes from: Dalmatia, Apulia, and California
Notable Aromas: Cranberry, blueberry, licorice, boysenberry, plum, black pepper, and jam
ABV: 9% to 10%
Other Names: Oeil de Perdrix or Eyes of the Patridge

If you can’t decide on the right choice for you, White Zinfandel luckily comes in sparkling wine and still options. It comes with fruity, sweet, and mild notes that make it so easy to drink for people who have never had wine before. This sweet wine can be easily paired with Indian food, BBQ, lamb, vegetables, and desserts.

Expert Tips on How to Get You Started with Wine Drinking

When it comes to taking your first steps into your wine journey, one of the general rules is to try something new all the time. You shouldn’t be afraid to try something new and explore the different kinds of wine that intrigue your taste buds. It will also help to pay attention to the five traits of wine we shared above, which are acidity, sweetness, oak, alcohol, and tannins.

When you pour your sweet wine, be sure to fill out half a glass for red wine, and for sweet white wines, you should only pour one-third. It’s also important to do research into whether or not your wine needs to be decanted. Finally, the golden rule for all wine drinkers is to take small sips and savor the flavor in your mouth before swallowing it.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Sweet Wines

If this is your first time purchasing a sweet wine, you may be confused about how to choose the right choice for you, especially if you haven’t tasted it yet. Below are a few tips that can help you save money while pointing you to high-quality wines.

Harvesting Time

Before you try your first glass of wine, keep in mind that grapes that are harvested late will give you sweeter wine. In the wine world, the riper your grapes, the lower their acidity so you can enjoy a better taste. As such, be sure to look for late-harvest options; you should be able to tell them apart from others by reading the label on the bottle.

Avoiding Flavored Wines

Novice wine drinkers make the mistake of purchasing flavored wines. While these may seem tasty and tempting because you’re not used to drinks with high alcohol content, most flavored wines won’t be the best first-time choice. Aside from a few selected fortified wines, this option won’t deliver a good wine experience.

Age of Wine

Even if you’re new to wine tasting, you already know that wine will get better with age. You should also know that the amount of sugar inside wine won’t increase as it ages. Moreover, when wine stays on the shelf for longer, it will end up with lower acidity levels and the older it gets, the sweeter it becomes.

How Much it Costs

New wine drinkers will often look for cheaper wines but if you really want to enjoy a good bottle of wine, look for sweet wines that are at least $30.

Best Sweet Wines: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions that you may have before taking your first sip of sweet wine.

What Kind of Wine Should I Drink First?

Some of the best sweet and fruity wines for beginners include Ice, Moscato d’Asti, White Zinfandel, and Sauternes.

Which Wines are the Easiest to Drink?

There are a few light-bodied wines that are easy to drink, these include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Red Zinfandel, and more.

What is the Sweetest Wine?

Throughout the whole world, Sherry is the sweetest wine available; this fortified wine is created using white grapes grown around the Andalusia region of Spain. Moreover, there are 7 kinds of Sherry wines — mostly dry wines — but the sweet kind is Sherry Moscatel.

Conclusion

There’s nothing better than trying sweet wines to get started with your wine-drinking experience. Fortunately, there is a wide range of sweet wines for you to choose from and plenty of paths to explore so you can decide on the flavors and tastes you prefer. Knowing and understanding sweet wines can help you find the ideal option for every meal but the best way to expand your palate is to try wines from different places.

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