Glossary
Residual Sugar
/rih-ZID-yoo-ul SHUG-er/
Sugar remaining in wine after fermentation.
Full Definition
Residual sugar (RS) is unfermented grape sugar remaining in finished wine, measured in grams per liter. Dry wines have <4 g/L; off-dry 4-12 g/L; medium-sweet 12-45 g/L; sweet >45 g/L. RS can balance high acidity - wines with high acid and high RS may taste drier than numbers suggest.
Related Terms
See Also
Reference
More terms starting with R
Racking
Transferring wine off its sediment.
Racy
Wine with vibrant, energetic acidity.
Reduction
Sulfur compounds from lack of oxygen, creating off-odors.
Remuage
Gradually rotating sparkling wine bottles to collect sediment.
Reserve
A designation suggesting higher quality or longer aging.
Resveratrol
Antioxidant compound found in grape skins.