11 Most Popular Fruity Wine Varietals For All Wine Lovers!

  • Last Updated - 5/5/23
fruity wine

Can you explain what is meant by fruity wine? But most importantly, do you enjoy drinking fruity wine?

Well, it’s important to note that the definition of “fruity wine” can vary depending on personal taste and background knowledge. Some categorize fruity wines as New World wines and non-fruity or earthier wines as Old World wines. While others associate fruity wines with sweet wines.

So in this article, we’ll explore the world of fruity wines, discuss their characteristics, and highlight some of the best fruity wines to try.

Table of Contents

What is Fruity Wine?

Fruity wines are characterized by the prominence of fruit flavors in their taste profile and generally means a fruit-forward wine. So a fruit-forward wine showcases fruit aromas and flavors more prominently compared to other characteristics like earthiness, minerality, or oak.

Fruity or fruit-forward wines can be made from a variety of grape varieties. And it can be found in different styles, ranging from dry to sweet wines.

How is Fruity Wine Made?

fruity wine

Fruity wines are made through a combination of factors:

  1. Grape variety: The choice of grape variety is crucial, as some grapes are naturally more fruity and aromatic than others.
  2. Terroir: The terroir, or the environment in which the grapes are grown, can significantly influence the fruitiness of a wine. Factors such as climate, soil, and elevation can affect the ripeness and flavor profile of the grapes, which in turn contribute to the fruity characteristics of the wine.
  3. Harvesting: The timing of grape harvesting can impact the fruitiness of the wine. Grapes that are harvested earlier tend to have higher acidity and more delicate fruit flavors, while grapes harvested later are typically riper, with bolder fruit flavors and lower acidity.
  4. Fermentation: The fermentation process, where yeast converts sugar into alcohol, can also play a role in creating a fruity wine. By controlling the fermentation temperature and using specific yeast strains, winemakers can enhance the fruity aromas and flavors in the wine.
  5. Winemaking techniques: Several winemaking techniques can be employed to emphasize fruit flavors. For example, using stainless steel tanks or neutral oak barrels for fermentation and aging, can help to preserve the fruit flavors without introducing strong oaky or spicy notes. Additionally, limiting the use of malolactic fermentation can maintain the wine’s natural acidity, which enhances the perception of fruitiness.

11 Most Popular Fruity Wine Varietals

1) Moscato

prosecco vs moscato comparison

This sweet dessert wine is a traditional Italian wine. It’s made from the Muscat grape variety, which is known for its perfumed and floral characteristics. Furthermore, it features flavors of peach, apricot, and citrus, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a sweet wines.

2) Gewürztraminer

This aromatic white wine is made from the Gewürztraminer grape and is known for its distinctive lychee and rose petal flavors. Additionally, the wine can range from off-dry to sweet, with tropical fruit and spicy notes.

3) Riesling

chateau ste michelle Riesling tasting notes

This versatile white wine can be made in a range of styles, from bone dry to lusciously sweet wines. Also, it’s known for its bright acidity and flavors of green apple, citrus, and stone fruit.

4) Lambrusco

lambrusco salamino di santa

This Italian sparkling red wine is made from the Lambrusco grape variety and is known for its fruity and sometimes sweet flavor profile. Sweet enough to be considered sweet wines. Plus, it features flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry.

5) Sauvignon Blanc

This zesty white wine features vibrant fruit flavors such as grapefruit, passion fruit, and gooseberry. Sauvignon Blanc’s fruitiness comes from the grape variety’s natural aromatic compounds, which create the wine’s distinctive aroma and flavor profile.

6) Pinot Grigio

sauvignon blanc vs pinot grigio

This light-bodied white wine can have fruity flavors like green apple, pear, and citrus. Because the Pinot Grigio grape variety is responsible for the fruit-forward characteristics of the wine, which can vary depending on the region and winemaking techniques.

7) Chardonnay

Chardonnay can exhibit fruity flavors such as green apple, citrus, and tropical fruits. Again, the fruitiness of Chardonnay comes from the grape variety and can be enhanced by specific winemaking techniques, like fermenting and aging in stainless steel or using neutral oak barrels.

8) Pinot Noir

pinot noir food pairing

This red wine often exhibits fruit-forward flavors such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, along with floral and earthy notes. Plus, the Pinot Noir grape variety is naturally high in acidity and low in tannins, which contributes to its fruity and approachable character.

9) Beaujolais

Quick Facts About Gamay

Made from the Gamay grape, this light-bodied red wine features fruity flavors like raspberry, cherry, and red currant. Additionally, it has low tannin levels and high acidity, which give Beaujolais wines their fruity and easy-drinking profile.

10) Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a red wine with bold, jammy fruit flavors, such as blackberry, raspberry, and cherry. Also it has a high sugar content and relatively low acidity, which contributes to the wine’s fruity and sometimes sweet profile.

11) Fruit Wines

These wines are made from fruits other than grapes and can include flavors such as blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, and even tropical fruits like mango or pineapple. Plus, these wines can range from sweet wine to tart fruit wine and are a fun and unique way to enjoy the flavors of fruit in a wine.

FAQs

Does Fruity Mean Sweet Wine?

Fruity does not necessarily mean sweet when it comes to wine. While many fruity wines can be sweet due to the high sugar content in the fruit. Others can be made in a dry style by fermenting the sugars completely.

The term “fruity” refers to the presence of fruit flavors, such as berries, citrus, stone fruits, or tropical fruits, in the wine. Also, the sweetness of a wine is determined by the residual sugar content remaining after fermentation. Therefore, it’s possible to have a fruity wine that is dry, off-dry, or sweet. In fact, even a Cabernet Sauvignon can be categorized as a fruity wine sometimes. As they say, it’s all relative. 

What are some Fruity Dessert Wines?

Here are a few examples of fruity dessert wines:

  1. Port Wines: A fortified wine from Portugal that is typically rich, sweet, and often shows flavors of red and dark fruits like blackberries, cherries, and plums.

  2. Sauternes: This is a French wine from the Sauternais region of Bordeaux, made from Sémillon, Sauvignon blanc, and Muscadelle grapes that have been affected by Botrytis cinerea, also known as “noble rot”. This gives the wine a unique, concentrated sweet taste, and fruity notes.

  3. Late Harvest Wines: These wines are made from grapes that have been left on the vine longer than usual, allowing them to develop higher sugar content. The resulting wine is sweeter and more fruit-forward. Late Harvest Riesling, for example, can have flavors of apricots, peaches, and pears.

  4. Ice Wine (Eiswein): This is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. The sugars do not freeze, but the water does, resulting in a smaller amount of more concentrated, very sweet wine. Ice wines often have vibrant fruit flavors.

  5. Moscato d’Asti: From the Piedmont region of Italy, this lightly sparkling, sweet white wine is made from the Moscato grape and often showcases flavors of peaches, nectarines, and oranges.

  6. Ruby or Tawny Port: These are sweet fortified wines from Portugal, with Ruby Port showcasing more bright, fresh fruit flavors while Tawny Port, aged in wood, has a more complex fruit and nut character.

What Wine is Fruity But Not Too Sweet?

Although they are called fruity wines, not all of them are sweet wines. Here are some examples of fruity wines for you to consider:

  • Sauvignon Blanc: This white wine is known for its zesty acidity and vibrant fruit flavors, such as grapefruit, passion fruit, and gooseberry.
  • Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris: This light-bodied white wine can have fruity flavors like green apple, pear, and citrus. Pinot Grigio is generally dry, with a crisp and refreshing finish.
  • Dry Riesling: Choose a dry Riesling to enjoy the fruit-forward flavors. You will find green apple, citrus, and stone fruit without too much sweetness.
  • Chardonnay: This popular white wine can exhibit fruity flavors such as green apple, citrus, and tropical fruits. But it all depends on the region and winemaking techniques.
  • Beaujolais: Made from the Gamay grape, Beaujolais wines are typically low in tannins and not overly sweet. And this makes them an excellent choice for those seeking a fruity but not too sweet wine.

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