Off-dry

Q: What is the difference between off-dry and semi-dry?

Semi-dry is an official term with defined residual sugar levels (up to 18 g/l). Off-dry is a voluntary designation by winemakers without a fixed limit – it signals that the acidity dominates the sugar and the wine finishes dry despite the residual sweetness. In practice, off-dry is often lower than semi-dry.

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At a glance

Products: 93

Off-dry is not an officially defined term, but rather a designation used by German winemakers for wines that fall between dry and semi-dry in terms of taste. The residual sugar remains noticeable but is balanced by the acidity – the wine has a tart finish rather than a sweet one.

This style is primarily shaped by Riesling from the Mosel, Nahe, and Rhine regions: apple, peach, and a salty slate note. Off-dry wines are the perfect compromise for groups where some prefer dry and others prefer fruity – and they are a reliable companion for curry, sushi, and smoked fish.

Only white wine? Click here for semi-dry & off-dry white wine.

93 products

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Kiefer Schmetterlinge im Bauch Rosé off-dry

Germany

Kaiserstuhl

Cuvée

Kiefer Schmetterlinge im Bauch Rosé off-dry 2025

Kiefer 5.0

6,25 €

0,75 l

8,33 €/l

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Study summer semester Cuvée off-dry 2025

Weingut Studier 4.9

9,85 €

0,75 l

13,13 €/l

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Ellermann-Spiegel 5.0

7,90 €

0,75 l

10,53 €/l

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A. Diehl Merlot Rosé eins zu eins QbA feinherb 2025

A. Diehl 5.0

7,25 €

0,75 l

9,67 €/l

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Studier Audimax Rosé off-dry 2025

Weingut Studier 3.5

8,85 €

0,75 l

11,80 €/l

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Riesling Schlabberwein 2025

Ellermann-Spiegel

7,90 €

0,75 l

10,53 €/l

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Winzer Sommerach Sommerlust Rotling fruity 2025

Winzer Sommerach 5.0

6,35 €

0,75 l

8,47 €/l

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Schmitges Riesling off-dry 1.0L 2025

Weingut Schmitges 4.7

7,80 €

1 l

7,80 €/l

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Kiefer Rivaner Freche Kaiserstühler feinherb 2025

Kiefer 4.9

5,45 €

0,75 l

7,27 €/l

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Pine Dance on the Volcano Rotling off-dry 2025

Kiefer 4.9

6,25 €

0,75 l

8,33 €/l

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TANK 32 Primitivo Appassimento 2025

Camivini 4.8

8,60 €

0,75 l

11,47 €/l

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Dr. Loosen Riesling off-dry 2025

Dr. Loosen 4.7

8,40 €

9,48 €

0,75 l

11,20 €/l

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Schmitges vom Berg Riesling feinherb 2025

Weingut Schmitges 5.0

9,50 €

0,75 l

12,67 €/l

Nutrition

89

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France

Champagne

Cuvée

Champagne Moët & Chandon ICE Imperial

Moët & Chandon5.0

59,95 €

0,75 l

79,93 €/l

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Schmitges Spätburgunder Rosé off-dry 2025

Weingut Schmitges 5.0

8,95 €

0,75 l

11,93 €/l

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Hammel & Cie Liebfraumilch off-dry 2025

Weingut Hammel & Cie 5.0

6,95 €

0,75 l

9,27 €/l

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A. Diehl Muskateller one to one off-dry 2025

A. Diehl

7,25 €

0,75 l

9,67 €/l

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Family wine Scheurebe off-dry 2025

Winzer Sommerach 5.0

7,95 €

0,75 l

10,60 €/l

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Sorentberg Riesling Kabinett Rotschiefer 2023

Weingut Julius Treis

17,80 €

0,75 l

23,73 €/l

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Kiefer Weissburgunder Freche Kaiserstuhler feinherb 2024

Kiefer 5.0

6,75 €

0,75 l

9,00 €/l

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Muskattrollinger Rosé MR delicately fruity 2025

Remstal-Kellerei

6,99 €

0,75 l

9,32 €/l

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TANK 26 Nero d'Avola Appassimento 2024

Camivini 4.8

8,60 €

0,75 l

11,47 €/l

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Studier Weissburgunder feinherb 2025

Weingut Studier 5.0

8,95 €

0,75 l

11,93 €/l

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Künstler Riesling feinherb 2025

Weingut Künstler

10,85 €

0,75 l

14,47 €/l

Nutrition

By grape variety

Aglianico Albariño Aligoté Arinto Arneis Auxerrois Bacchus Barbara Blauburger Blaufränkisch Bourboulenc Cabernet Blanc Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon548 Callet Cannonau Carignan Carmenère Carricante Catarratto Chardonnay661 Chenin Blanc Cinsault Clairette Codega Colombard Complexa Cortese Corvina Dolcetto Dornfelder Elbling Falanghina Fiano Folle Blanche Friulano Frühburgunder Gaglioppo Gamay Garganega Yellow Muscat Gewürztraminer Glera Graciano Pinot Gris Grechetto Greco Grenache Noir182 Grenache Blanc Grenache Gris Grillo Groppello Gros Manseng Grüner Veltliner Gutedel Inzolia Kerner Lagrein Lambrusco Lemberger Loureiro Macabeo Malbec Malvasia Nera Manto Negro Marsanne Marselan Marzemino Melon de Bourgogne Merlot292 Monastrell Monica of Sardinia Montepulciano Moscatel Moscato Moscato d'Alessandria Müller-Thurgau Muscadelle Muscat Muskattrollinger Nebbiolo Negroamaro Nerello Mascalese Nero d'Avola Nero di Troia Palomino Fino Parellada Passerina Pecorino Pedro Ximenez Petit Manseng Petit Verdot Pinot Bianco Pinot Blanc Pinot Grigio Pinot Gris Pinot Meunier Pinot Nero Pinotage Portuguese Prensal Blanc Primitivo Rabigato Refosco Regent Ribolla Gialla Riesling596 Rondinella Roussanne Sagrantino Sangiovese154 Sauvignon Blanc250 Scheurebe Semillon Silvaner Gray Souvenir Pinot Noir456 St. Laurent Syrah Tempranillo Tinta Barroca Torrontés Touriga Franca Touriga Nacional Trapiche Varietals Trebbiano Trebbiano di Lugana Trepat Trollinger Verdejo Vermentino Vernatsch Viognier Pinot Blanc Welschriesling Xarello Zinfandel Zweigelt

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Quick answers

What does off-dry actually mean – and how sweet is that?

Off-dry is not a legally regulated term, but rather a self-declared designation by winemakers. The residual sugar is noticeably higher than in dry wines, but it is integrated by the natural acidity in such a way that the finish tastes tart – not sweet. You taste fruit, but no sweetness.

Which grape varieties are best suited for the off-dry style?

Clearly in the lead: Riesling, especially from the Mosel and Nahe. The lively acidity of these locations carries the residual sugar without the wine appearing sticky. Rarer, but possible: Muskateller or Pinot Noir off-dry as a red wine variant.

What does off-dry wine pair with at the table?

Off-dry is one of the most reliable food pairings for dishes with sweetness or spiciness: curry, sushi, smoked fish, Asian noodle dishes. The residual sweetness buffers spiciness, the acidity cuts through fat – that works where dry wines often appear too harsh.

Is there also off-dry red wine or rosé?

Yes, both exist – but are rarer than with white wine. Off-dry Pinot Noir, for example, remains light and fruit-forward without tipping into sweetness. Off-dry rosé works similarly: fruity on the palate, tart in the finish, good with light summer dishes.

What is the difference between off-dry and semi-dry?

Semi-dry is an official term with defined residual sugar levels (up to 18 g/l). Off-dry is a voluntary designation by winemakers without a fixed limit – it signals that the acidity dominates the sugar and the wine finishes dry despite the residual sweetness. In practice, off-dry is often lower than semi-dry.

How do I recognize a good off-dry wine?

The balance is decisive: the residual sugar should not stand out as sweetness, but be carried by the acidity. A good off-dry white wine appears juicy and lively – not heavy or sticky. If you feel like having the next sip after the first, the ratio is right.

Off-dry

Off-dry is not an officially defined term, but rather a designation used by German winemakers for wines that fall between dry and semi-dry in terms of taste. The residual sugar remains noticeable but is balanced by the acidity – the wine has a tart finish rather than a sweet one.

This style is primarily shaped by Riesling from the Mosel, Nahe, and Rhine regions: apple, peach, and a salty slate note. Off-dry wines are the perfect compromise for groups where some prefer dry and others prefer fruity – and they are a reliable companion for curry, sushi, and smoked fish.

Only white wine? Click here for semi-dry & off-dry white wine.

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Oct 24, 2026

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