Sweet Wine

This is not the only nation that appreciates sweet beverages with savory foods, but we hugely adhere to that model.

Many winemakers have told me they know of the wide use of high-proof alcohol added to red wines to make them "sweeter" on the tongue. barmalini/Shutterstock

There is an old saying in the wine business: “Americans talk dry but drink sweet.” I believe this is true.

I evaluate dozens of wines each week. Most of the whites are either actually sweet or so soft that they would taste terrible with food. And unfortunately, a growing number of red wines, including some of the most expensive, are also now either deficient in acidity or actually sweet.