Sweet Wine Selection Tips

For those of us with a sweet tooth (guilty), sweet wines are a good way to ease into wine appreciation. I wouldn't be surprised if Ed Gandia, author of one of my favorite ebooks on wine, used this technique to turn his wife into a wine lover. Here are a few wine selection tips for finding sweet wines.

White Zinfandel

Also called White Zin, this is arguably the most popular wine for the beginner. It is sweet blush made when the skin of the grape is allowed to affect the wine making process for only a short time. White Zinfandel goes with just about anything and is a great with light dishes which makes it a popular summer wine.

Port

Port is a dessert wine made thick and sweet by the addition of brandy. As a result, it has a higher alcohol content than most wines. It is a perfect evening wine for sipping by a fire with a bit of cheese or chocolate and a good book.

Merlot

Merlot contains more tannins than White Zinfandel which makes it a bit drier and a good step up into "real" red wines. It has a gentle plum-like flavor and compliments medium-bodied foods such as chops and burgers.

Chianti

Chianti is the classic wine in the straw bottle that's often used as a candle holder in one's first apartment. The wine is light a fruity and is perfect for other first apartment standbys such as pizza and lasagna.

Shiraz

Also known as Syrah, Shiraz is the Australian name for the wine made from the Syrah grape. Why the name Shiraz stuck instead of Syrah, no one knows. Shiraz wines are spicy and peppery and go best with steak and spicy dishes.

Sweet wines are often inexpensive, so you'll have to shop careful to avoid the swill. A good cheap discount wine price guide will help you separate the true bargains from the vinegars.