The Many Sides of Sweet Sparkling Wine

At MAWBY Sparkling, we believe there is a time and place to enjoy a variety of wines. We don’t yuck anyone’s yum and have a range of bubbles to suit almost any palate! From sweet to dry, we have a wine you want to try. “Sweet wines” can get a bad rap! But without sugar, we wouldn't have wine, so let’s discuss the importance of sugar in sparkling wine and what to look for in your next bottle of bubbly.

What is R.S.?

RS stands for residual sugar, or the sugar left over after a wine ferments. In sparkling wine, we are able to control the final RS based on the dosage we use. 

The European Union regulates their RS scale, but here in the US we do not. That means there is some overlap and, undeniably, some confusion! As a general rule, most American-made sparkling wines follow the scale below to measure sweetness levels. As you will see, some wines, technically, can be both dry and off-dry at the same time.

• Brut Nature(0-3 g/L sugar): Also known as "brut zero" or "ultra brut," these Champagnes are bone-dry, with no added sugar. 
• Brut (0-12 g/L sugar): The most common style, that  balances crispness with a touch of sweetness, making it versatile for various occasions.
• Extra Dry (12-17 g/L sugar): Contrary to the name, “extra dry” wines are slightly sweeter than brut. It offers a more noticeable hint of sweetness without being cloying.
• Sec(17-32 g/L sugar): A bit sweeter still, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more noticeable sugar content.
• Demi-Sec (32-50 g/L sugar): Sparkling wines that are notably sweet, perfect for pairing with desserts or celebrating special occasions.

We prefer to think of wine more holistically, using friendly, appreciable words to describe our sweetest wines. 

Floral

The combination of certain varietals will not just make a wine sweet, they can give it more complexity that keeps a sweet sparkling wine exciting. Our wine Detroit is made in part with Muscat, a white grape known for its floral characteristics. Although Detroit is one of our sweetest wines at almost 5% RS, the Muscat provides notes of rose, jasmine and peach, balancing out all that sugar. 

Rich

Even though sparkling wines have great acidity, sweet wines can still maintain a heaviness or richness to them. A perfect example of that is Fizz, one of our OG cuve close sparkling wines. At 3% RS, it is definitely sweet, but it’s also rich and lush, without being overpowering. We enjoy this with buttery popcorn, or pineapple upside down cake. 

Juicy

These are wines that get your taste buds goin’! Yes, sweet wines can be rich, but the natural acidity in sparkling wines will also give them a lift. You’ll feel this juice in the sides of your mouth and tongue. They are zippy and bright, like sweet-tart candies. Almost anyone that has tried our semi-sweet rose, Freestyle, describes it like a sippable sweetart – and we agree! 

Thankfully, you don’t need a sweet tooth to enjoy these wines. Try them in cocktails, or with the right food pairings: spicy Asian or Indian dishes; light fluffy cheesecake; or our forever favorite pairing – crunchy, salty potato chips.  

So next time you are offered a “sweet” wine, give it a go! You never know what unexpected wines, or wine styles, will become your new go-to. The most important thing is to never stop trying new things, and never stop celebrating each day. 

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