Off-Dry

/OFF-DRY/

Wine with slight perceptible sweetness.

Full Definition

Off-dry wines have slight residual sugar - enough to perceive as faintly sweet but not overtly sweet. Typically 5-20 g/L residual sugar depending on acidity. Common in Riesling, Chenin Blanc, and many Champagnes. High acidity can mask sweetness, making wines taste drier than sugar levels suggest. Also called 'semi-dry.'

Related Terms

residual sugar dry semi sweet

See Also

sweetness balance

Oenology Back to Glossary Old Vines

More terms starting with O

Oak

Wood used for barrels, adding flavor and texture to wine.

Oaky

Pronounced oak character in wine.

Oenology

The science of winemaking.

Old Vines

Mature grapevines, typically 35+ years old.

Old World

Traditional European wine regions.

Olfactory

Relating to the sense of smell.