Sweet Red Wine Cheap

What Is Fortified Wine

Fortified wine is a type of wine that has had brandy or another distilled alcohol added to it. This process stops the fermentation process, which leaves behind residual sugar. Fortified wines can be dry or sweet, depending on how much residual sugar is left behind.

There are three main types of fortified wines: Port, Sherry, and Madeira.

Port and some Madeira are the two fortified sweet red wines.

Sherry is a fortified wine that originates from Spain. It is made from white grapes that are grown near the town of Jerez de la Frontera. Sherry can be dry, semi-dry, or sweet. The sweeter varieties are made by adding Pedro Ximenez grapes to the wine.

Madeira is a fortified wine that originates from the Portuguese island of Madeira. It is made from red or white grapes that are grown on the island. Madeira is a very sweet wine, and it can be served as a dessert wine.

Dal Forno Romano Vigna Ser Veneto Passito Rosso

This highly-rated wine is undoubtedly sweet but has more oakiness and depth than many others on this list.

Still, sommeliers and wine experts consider it a dessert wine with strong aromatic and taste notes of black fruits, including blackberries and cherries.

In addition, tasters pick up earthy tones such as leather and even honey, as well as rich, dark chocolate and even tobacco. You can even pick up some hints of vanilla on the nose.

If youre drinking this wine, consider pairing it with rich cheeses, chocolate, or even to accompany a nice after-dinner cigar.

Great Pairings For Sweet Wine:

• Salty snacks: We all know sweet and salty go great together, so a super-sweet wine is also the perfect counterbalance for your favorite salty dish, like savory almond and black walnut pesto.
• Spicy foods: For example, a glass of cold, sweet white wine that has low alcohol content pairs wonderfully with hot and spicy dishes like these Korean fried chicken wings.
• Acidic bites: Highly acidic sweet white wines, like Rieslings, go nicely with sour, vinegary foods, like tomato fresh tomato bruschetta.
• Bitter foods: Artichoke, citrus, pickles, radicchio, Brussels sprouts, and sauerkraut all have a bitter flavor that tastes even better with a sweet wine. In fact, bitter and sweet go so well together they form their own word: bittersweet. Try sipping sweet wine with candied citrus peels dipped in dark chocolate.
• Light meats: The deep flavors of dark meats might overwhelm a sweet wine, but white meats and protein , with their lighter flavors, pair nicely.
• Sweet things: Sweet wines make sweet sauces like teriyaki or other Asian sauces with sugar, honey, or tamarind taste extra good.
• Desserts: There’s nothing wrong with pairing sweet wines with sweet desserts. In fact, “dessert wine” is a category of extra-sweet wines intended to do just this: take dessert to another level.

Flavor Pairings

Both bitterness and tannin will counterbalance and reduce the impression of sweetness in a wine.

Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Pirtle Wine

Recommended Sweet Red Wines Under $20

In our opinion, these are the best sweet red wines under $20.

Twenty dollars is plenty money to get a great bottle these days and you’ll be surprised at just how far your money goes.

7. Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto 2020

This sweet sparkling red wine is best paired with vanilla ice cream and red berries.

Made with 100% Brachetto grapes, it is bubbly like Prosecco .

Black cherry, caramel, and raspberry notes can be tasted, with the caramel lasting after the bubbles disappear.

It’s sweet but not overbearingly so. It has a nice balance about it that makes it very easy to drink.

6. Venturini Baldini Lambrusco Emilia

This could well be our favorite wine on this list of recommendations.

Certified organic, it’s made from 100% Salamino grapes that are harvested during the first 10 days of September.

At 16% g/l of residual sugar, it’s not overly sweet and retains a light dry flavor and tannic sensation on the tongue.

Grape, raspberry, cherry, and cranberry come through on the nose, making way for gentle bubbles and a fresh acidity.

If you’re a regular Lambrusco drinker then you simply can’t miss this one! Though it’s probably a bit drier than what you’re used to.

5. Apothic Red Wine

It’s been hard to avoid this red wine blend in the last few years thanks to a clever marketing and branding campaign.

It’s probably the most popular sweet red wine on the planet right now!

The blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel grapes has no right to work but does wonderfully.

M Chapoutier Les Vignes De Bila

In our list of the best red wine under $15, we start with the M.Chapoutier which comes from a village called Cotes Du Roussillon in France. With an ABV between 12-14%, this wine goes well with any lamb dish and has a red and intense texture.

If you have a good nose, you will be able to smell the smooth, leather-like chocolate-flavored cherries from your glass. Berries dominate the aroma and taste of this wine.

Just a small pint and you will smell notes of tea leaf, cherry cola, and earthy tones that add to the richness and depth of the grapes. When you take the first few sips, you will be greeted with cherry-like toasty herbal flavors that give a silky and smooth mouthfeel.

Bogle Petite Syrah is usually aged in American oak for 12 months. This makes for a great cheap sweet red wine. The Sirah red wine goes well with lamb and has around 13-14% alcohol content.

Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Wholesale Wine

Fortified Sweet Red Wines

Fortified wines have higher alcohol from added spirits. The fortifying process is what preserves the sweet taste in fortified wine because it kills the yeast and stops the fermentation. Since these wines do have increased alcohol, we recommend a smaller serving size at around 3 oz .

Ruby Port, LBV Port and Vintage Port

Port wine comes from the Douro region of Northern Portugal. Its a blend of many full-bodied grape varieties, including Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cão. For the red colored styles of Port wine expect aromas of blackberry, raspberry sauce, licorice, cocoa, juniper berry, and anise with mineral notes of graphite and crushed gravel. Wines taste sweet but have ample tannin to balance this sweetness.

Port-Style Wines

There are many producers outside of Portugal making fortified red wines with non-Port varieties. For example, you can find Port-style wines in Australia and California made with Syrah/Shiraz, among others.

Mavrodafni of Patras

A sweet fortified wine of Greece from the Patras region of Peloponnese which is a peninsula southwest of Athens. The region is still developing, so be aware that there may be some variation in the wines. Mavrodafni are very sweet with aromas of black currant, dates, figs, and black pepper with a rich texture.

Black Muscat

Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice

Wines are very viscous with aromas of fig, date, hazelnut, and maraschino cherry.

Best Italian: Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto

Courtesy of Drizly.com

Region: Piemonte, Italy | ABV: 7% | Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Strawberry, Rose petal

From Piemonte’s Acqui region comes this elegant and romantic sparkling red from Banfis award-winning lineup. Though Banfis innovations in clonal research and the accolades of their longtime winemaker Rudy Buratti are impressive, we especially love this bottle’s candy red color.

Still, dont let its looks distract you from the excellent aromatics of raspberry, cranberry, chocolate, and rose petal. Dry with scintillating acidity, serve this chilled lest you serve it incorrectly.

You May Like: How Much Is Robert Mondavi Wine

Which Wines Top The Red Wine Sweetness Chart

Those in the first category are dessert wines. These gorgeously sugar-heavy and decadent options such as ruby Port, tawny Port, and Vin Santo Rosso from Italy are perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

However, if you are on the hunt for a sweeter red wine to enjoy with your main meal, there are plenty that offer a more middle ground, like Lambrusco. Lambrusco is an Italian red wine that is considered semi-sweet. It boasts red fruit flavors, such as strawberry, blackberry, and rhubarb. Its also high in acidity, meaning the wines residual sugars are well balanced.

Zinfandel is another sweet red wine option. This fruity, Croatian grape produces wines with fruit-forward qualities think tinned peaches, strawberry, and sweet tobacco.

Though not considered a sweet wine by any stretch of the imagination, Malbec is high on the red wine sweetness chart. This full-bodied red is often produced in warm climates, using highly ripe grapes. Malbec boasts fruity flavors, such as plum, blackberry, and vanilla.

Witching Hour Sweet Red Blend

This is an uncommonly enjoyable sweet red wine. With a light body and a lot of ripe red fruit, Witching Hour is a great introduction to red wines for white wine drinkers.

We also like the lower alcohol content of this wine. It clocks in at only 13.5% abv. That is on the low side for red wine. It’s a perfect wine to bring along to a cookout or a picnic. That’s what makes this one of the best sweet red wines available.

The winemaker suggests pairing this wine with barbecued meats or brie cheese. We find sweet reds also pair well with spicier dishes.

to pick up a bottle.

You May Like: Where To Buy Rock Of Ages Wine

My Criteria For What Makes A Good Wine:

• I made an account of all the wines I tried and rated them on a scale from 1 to 10, 1 meaning that the wine was not very good at all and 10 being so delicious I might consider a glass with breakfast.
• The list of wine you see below includes only those wines that I rated with a 7 or more.
• All of these wines are affordable and cost less than $20 Canadian each.

Best Pinot Noir: Talbott Kali Hart Pinot Noir 2017

Courtesy of Wine.com

• Region: California, Central Coast, Monterey
• Tasting Notes: Bing cherry, tilled earth, espresso bean, caramel

Winemaker David Coventry makes the most of the land at Talbott Vineyards, known to specialize in both chardonnay and pinot noir. Using traditional techniques straight out of Burgundy, their pinot grapes are fermented in open-air tanks to allow more oxygen flow to achieve their more sumptuous flavors. This is a best in class example because of its balance of ripe California fruit and Old World complexity. Sweet, silken red berry fruit intermingle with polished, grippy tannins to give this wine a long, spicy finish.

Also Check: Por Wine House Louisville Co

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese is a 100% Sangiovese grown in the Ramitello and Martarosa vineyards in Italy. Hand-harvested in October, it is aged in stainless steel and in large oak barrels for six months to get a greater taste, smoothness, and softness.

This is a wine that preserves the natural savory and tangy taste of the fruit, Sangiovese, so drinking it is like consuming the fruit on its own. Also, the color looks very red, with aromas of violets and red berries.

Best California: Rutherford Hill Barrel Select Red Blend 2016

Courtesy of Vivino

• Tasting Notes: Plum, oak, chocolate, cherry, raspberry

Napa Valley outfit Rutherford Hill has for many decades specialized in making their fantastic merlot. That top-notch merlot makes a splash in this 2016 red blend, an excellent representation of Napa Valley ingenuity from their celebrated winemaker, Marisa Taylor. Bold and fairly dry, this wine is packed with pleasant acidity and limber tannins.

You May Like: Can You Order Wine Through Instacart

When To Drink Dry Red Wine

Dry red wines such as Merlot and Pinot Noir are very popular in the wine world. Picking a nice bottle of Merlot for your dinner party is a safe bet, as it pairs well with a range of dishes and most people tend to like it.

Bone dry red wines, like Nebbiolo, are intense and sophisticated. The dryness of this Italian wine helps it to tear through fatty dishes, such as rich cheese and other Mediterrean treats.

These dry wines are popular within the wine community. In addition to offering wine lovers some extraordinary flavors, the exquisite dryness offers the drinker a wonderful sensory experience.

Red Wine Sweetness Chart: Your Guide To The Perfect Glass

McKenzie Hagan | March 18, 2021

While all wine contains sugar, not all wine is considered sweet. When you look at a red wine sweetness chart you will see that a wide range of wines are on the sweeter side, while others are so low in sugar they are considered bone dry.

In this article we take a look into what makes a wine sweet in the first place, as well as examine where your favorite red wines fall on the sweetness chart.

Whether youre a fan of wines that are sweeter than sweet, or love a wine so dry itll make your mouth pucker, this handy chart is the perfect tool for understanding your vino better.

Read Also: Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine

Pierre Marcel Sweet Red

Pierre Marcel sweet red and sweet white wine are Pierre Marcel wine brands’ available varieties in Kenya. They are among the best selling wines in Nairobi. Pierre Marcel red is one of the best cheap sweet red wine and a great introductory wine best for beginners. It has fruity flavors and cherry aromas. It is seductive to the palate expressing fine tannins, sweetness, and subtle bitterness. It serves as an excellent drink for wine-nights. It excellently pairs with grilled meat, pizza, and barbecue. Serve chilled for the best wine experience. Pierre Marcel red is among the good cheap wines that will give you an unmatched wine experience. You can order this wine online at the comfort of your home from our Drinks Vine and enjoy the best alcohol delivery services in the city. We have the best affordable wines, including the sweet white type of Pierre Marcel.

What Makes Sweet Red Wine Sweet

When grape juice ferments into wine, grape sugar is converted into alcohol. Sweet wines are produced by stopping the fermentation a little early, leaving a touch of grape sugar behind in the wine.

There are several ways to make sweet wines, but the most important difference is that one method uses neutral spirits and the other does not. This difference is important to note, because some sweet red wines have high alcohol and should be served in half-sized portions.

Thre are countless great reds to enjoy and flavors to stretch your palate in delicious directions. Continue on your journey through red wine by

Recommended Reading: How Do I Remove Red Wine Stains

Good Cheap Wines In Kenya

Today we will tackle one of the most delicate topics, exploring premium but affordable wines in Kenya. The truth is you dont have to spend too much to buy a premium/quality wine. Drinks Vine online liquor store has affordable yet high-quality wines. Wine is a vast category of beverages with major categories being white wine, red wine, rose wines, sparkling wines, and champagnes, and if classified depending on how much you spend, we have expensive wines, expensive champagnes, and affordable wines. At Drinks Vine, we only stock the best quality wines from all over the world, giving you a vast collection to choose from. We got you covered even with a restricted budget with these cheap wines online in Kenya. Let us dive right into the list of the most affordable quality wines in Kenya or the so called good inexpensive wines.

Disclaimer: This guide does not cover wines below Ksh 500 we will explore the premium but cheap wines in Kenya, the wines you will find in most wine and spirits shop in the city.

Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage Port

One of the 1st historic Port wine house, Taylors has been in operation since 1692. Late Bottled Vintage red wines means its bottled in wood between four and six years.

This rich wine is elegant and stylish with blackcurrant and cherry aromas and spice. On the palate there is concentrated black fruit flavors supported by heavy tannins.

Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, dark cherries, plum, blackberries, prune, raisin, oak

Read Also: Where To Buy Stone Hill Wine

Why Are Some Wines Sweeter Than Others

While some wine is dry as a bone, other wines taste as sweet as a can of soda. But how can this be when all wine is made by the fermentation of grape juice?

The answer lies in the wines residual sugar. Residual sugar is a term in the wine world that refers to the amount of sugar present in a bottle of wine, once the wine is finished and ready for consumption.

As we know grapes have a high sugar content, meaning all wine, no matter how dry, contains some naturally occurring sugars. However, during fermentation, winemakers add yeast, which converts these natural sugars into ethanol, aka alcohol.

While the yeast will convert the majority of the grape sugar into alcohol, sometimes the sugar in the grapes is much higher, or winemakers choose to add additional sugar. This means the yeast cannot convert all of the sugar to alcohol, resulting in a wine thats higher in residual sugar.

There are other ways to make a sweeter wine. Some of these include:

Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve Port Nv

The intense, deep-colored Fonseca Bin No. 27 was blended from reserve wines selected for their rich texture and spent four years in large wood vats before bottling!

This port wine is made for people who enjoy a full-bodied palate with dark ruby color and smooth, dense flavors.

Tasting Notes: Chocolate, vanilla, oak, plum, blackberry, raisin, black cherry

Also Check: What Kind Of Wine Goes With Cheese And Crackers