Medium Sweet
Definition - What does Medium Sweet mean?
To describe the taste and sugar content of the wine, there are classifications that range from sweet to dry. Medium sweet is a description used for both red and white wines that have a medium residual sugar content and low sugar to acid pH ratio. The semi-sweet/medium sweet classification may vary depending on the individual winemaker’s style and region in which the wine was made. The slight sweetness of medium sweet wine balances out any high acidity or bitter taste and enhances the tannins present in the wine.
WineFrog explains Medium Sweet
To classify a wine as medium sweet, it is important to know where the wine originates and how much residual sugar must be removed or added depending on the particular regions’ fermentation process. Typically, new world wines tend to be sweeter than old world (European) wines, and wines from warmer climates produce sweeter wines.
The ratio of residual sugar in medium sweet wine content is within the range of 20-30 grams of sugar per liter or 1.5 to 4.9%. The sugar to acid ratio expresses itself with a range of pH from 2.1-4.0, dryer wines have a higher pH and sweeter wines have a lower pH reading. Medium sweet wines can be challenging to pair with foods, as many dishes can overpower the taste of the wine, especially if it has a lower alcohol content. Some types of wine that fall into this category include, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Moscato, Rose, Pinot Noir and Lambrusco.
