Euro Reds

In recent decades, there has been a terrible trend among many “dry” wines to be “softened.”

One way around the softened red wines is to acquire a taste for French or Italian red wines. Or, reds from Portugal or Spain. Maria Vonotna/Shutterstock

Historically, the majority of red wines produced around the world have been dry without sweetness, so they can best accompany savory foods.

By contrast, I'd guess that perhaps 75 percent of the white wines being produced today have some residual sugar. White wines are intended either as food accompaniments or as sip-alone aperitifs.