17. Specific Options for Producing Wines with Residual Sugar

Question 1

Name 2 different types of wines with residual sugar at the ends of the sweet spectrum.

Answer 1

1. inexpensive wines contain low to moderate levels of residual sugar to make them more appealing and palatable to a larger consumer audience
2. the sweetest wines have residual sugar levels of a few hundred grams per litre (g/l) and are syrupy in texture

Question 2

What are the key ways of producing wines with residual sugar?

Answer 2

1. concentrating the sugar in the grape must
2. stopping the fermentation before dryness
3. blending in a sweetening component to the wine

Question 3

What factors are at play when determine which method of sweet wine production is used?

Answer 3

1. style, quality and price of the wine that the winemaker wants to make
2. the climate of the vineyard site (for different methods of concentrating the grape must)
3. the local wine legislation

Question 4

What is the ultimate goal during sweet wine production?

Answer 4

• achieve balance between residual sugar and acidity

- achieve a flavour concentration appropriate for the level of sugar