Features of semi-sweet wine
Semi-sweet wine is made from red, pink and white grape varieties. However, these varieties should have increased sugar content - not less than 20%. According to the alcohol content, these wines are the same as the semi-dry wines (alcohol content is 8.5-15%), while the sugar content in semi-sweet wines can be twice as high. So, in semisweet wine the content of sugar varies from 18 to 45 grams per liter.
It is important to understand that semi-sweet wine of a high quality should contain only residual sugar - one that "came" from grapes and did not turn into alcohol during fermentation. Therefore, if in a wine composition you can see sugar or any "sweeteners", this is a low-quality product.
Among semi-sweet wines there are white and red ones, pink ones are less common. Light colored wines more often do not have too saturated amber or straw hues, and dark wines are of a deep pomegranate color, sometimes with a violet hue. Semi-sweet wines are mainly related to non-vintage wines. This means that their production and preparation takes just 1 year and then wine can be consumed. Non-vintage wines are not aged in barrels.
Wine production
Despite the fact that semi-sweet wines are not as appreciated as exquisite dry, semi-sweet production is a quite laborious process. The main difficulty is that fermentation should be stopped in time, keeping the required parameters for the content of alcohol and sugar. To stop the process, the temperature of the material is either reduced to 0°C, or raised to 70°C.
Due to the high sugar content, semisweet wine can start to ferment again, being already in the bottle. To prevent this from happening, sulfur dioxide (preservative E220) is added to the wine, which completely stops the fermentation process. After this, the filtration process takes place and the wine is left to lighten under natural conditions. Semisweet wines are stored in glass bottles.
By the way, today sulfur dioxide is added to almost all wines, even dry ones - this preservative helps the drink to be stored. However, the amount of E220 in semi-sweet wine will always be higher than in the usual dry. There is a supposition that it is because of this supplement that people often feel a headache even after a small amount of wine drunk, and allergic people can get covered with red spots even after a few sips.
Food pairings
Semi-sweet wines are an excellent alternative for those who do not like dry wines, as well as wines with characteristic sourness. Before serving, such wine can be poured into a decanter. Glasses for semisweet wines are chosen rather wide and open. Red semisweet in summer can be cooled to 16-18 ° C, and in winter the temperature 20°C is suitable. As for white one, some manufacturers recommend cooling semi-sweet wine to 8-11 ° C, others - to 12-14 ° C. If the label does not contain recommendations, cool to averages.
Red semi-sweet is perfect for poultry or rabbit meat, sausage cuts, and liver pates. It is also accepted to serve vegetables, salads with sour cream dressing, hard cheeses and cheese with mold. If to choose among fruits pear and strawberry are especially nice.
White semi-sweet wine is combined with fish and seafood - crabs, shrimps, oysters. Also snacks based on toasts or crackers, tartlets with caviar or slightly salted fish will do. As for meat, white poultry meat fits well with white semi-sweet. Choose soft and creamy cheese or not too spicy hard cheese, fruits can be any juicy but not sour.
Wine list
Often the grapes from which semi-sweet wines are made are left to ripen until the middle of October. This is done to ensure that the berries are maximally sugary. For the production of semi-sweet wines, one particular grape variety can be used, and maybe several. The most commonly used varieties are Chardonnay, Muscat (white and pink), Riesling, Aligote, Feteasca, Kokur, Rkatsitelli, Saperavi, Arevik, Cabernet-Sauvignon and others.
It is believed that the best red semi-sweet wines are produced in France, Spain, Italy and Georgia. By the way, semi-sweet Georgian wines have a special berry taste and a long aftertaste. For example, in Tbilvino Alazani shades of forest berries and sweetness of ripe fruits dominate. Compare it to the French JP. Chenet Medium Sweet Red - you will see how, in addition to the sweet berry taste, there are notes of cinnamon and citrus.
White semi-sweet wines are traditionally more fresh and light. Even if you compare the aforementioned Georgian red wine with the same white semi-sweet Tbilvino Alazani, you will taste a delicate aroma with notes of lemon pie and dried fruit.
Traditionally, white semi-sweet wines are most often produced in Germany, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa and France. For example, the famous German wine Peter Mertes Liebfraumilch is also very fresh and fruity. You can taste honey, candied fruits and the fragrance of wildflowers.
Among semi-sweet white wines, an important role is also played by Muscat wines. They are easily recognizable by the aromas of nutmeg, flowers, raisins and rose petals. Good muscat wines are produced in France, Italy, Moldavia and the Crimea.
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