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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Von Othegraven Riesling Kabinett Grosse Lage delicate fruity

Germany

Saar

Riesling

Von Othegraven Riesling Kabinett Grosse Lage delicate fruity 2024

von Othegraven

22,90 €

0,75 l

30,53 €/l

Nutrition

91

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Germany

Rheingau and Johannisberg

Riesling

Johannisberger Riesling off-dry 2021

Weingüter Geheimrat J. Wegeler 5.0

13,45 €

0,75 l

17,93 €/l

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Riesling R delicately fruity 2024

Remstal-Kellerei

6,49 €

0,75 l

8,65 €/l

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Schwarzriesling SR off-dry 2025

Remstal-Kellerei

6,99 €

0,75 l

9,32 €/l

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SCAVI & RAY Luminoso Spumante

Scavi & Ray

29,90 €

0,75 l

39,87 €/l

Nutrition

Winery of the monthOctober 2026

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Haus Klosterberg Riesling off-dry white wine bottle from the Markus Molitor winery, Mosel

Germany

Moselle

Riesling

Haus Klosterberg Riesling off-dry 2024

Weingut Markus Molitor

11,90 €

0,75 l

15,87 €/l

Nutrition

93

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Alcohol-Free

Germany

Rheingau and Johannisberg

Column Zero x Domain Schloss Johannisberg Gelblack Riesling alcohol...

Kolonne Null

18,52 €

0,75 l

24,69 €/l

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Maximin Grünhaus Riesling Schloss Kabinett fruity 2025

Maximin Grünhaus

15,80 €

0,75 l

21,07 €/l

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Kesselring Muskateller 2025

Weingut Lukas Kesselring

7,90 €

0,75 l

10,53 €/l

Nutrition

Gold

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Alcohol-Free

Germany

Rheingau

Eberbach State Winery Mindfully alcohol-free

Staatsweinkellerei Eberbach

11,00 €

0,75 l

14,67 €/l

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Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Riesling 2023

Kendall-Jackson

18,95 €

0,75 l

25,27 €/l

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Hiking Leib & Seele White Wine Cuvée 2025

Weingut Bergdolt-Reif & Nett

7,90 €

0,75 l

10,53 €/l

Nutrition

Winery of the monthOctober 2026

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Weingut Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese off-dry, white wine bottle with white label

Germany

Moselle

Riesling

Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese off-dry 2023

Weingut Markus Molitor

21,90 €

0,75 l

29,20 €/l

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Riesling Kabinett Rotschiefer 2024

Van Volxem

14,86 €

0,75 l

19,81 €/l

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Saar Riesling off-dry 2025

Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof

13,83 €

0,75 l

18,44 €/l

Nutrition

92

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Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof

13,27 €

0,75 l

17,69 €/l

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Durbach White Burgundy 2025

Andreas Laible

15,40 €

0,75 l

20,53 €/l

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Karl Pfaffmann MP Secco Rosé

Karl Pfaffmann

7,98 €

0,75 lNutrition

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Germany

Moselle

Riesling

Abtsberg Riesling Superior QW Mosel 2025

Maximin Grünhaus

39,03 €

0,75 l

52,04 €/l

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Grünhäuser Riesling off-dry QW Mosel 2024

Maximin Grünhaus

22,00 €

0,75 l

29,33 €/l

Nutrition

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Italy

Montepulciano

Fantini »Three Dreamers« Montepulciano Appassimento

Fantini Group Vini

43,99 €

0,75 l

58,65 €/l

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Herrenberg Riesling Superior QW Mosel 0.75L 2024

Maximin Grünhaus

31,10 €

0,75 l

41,47 €/l

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Ayl KUPP "Stirn" Riesling "Fass 15" (off-dry) VDP. Grosse Lage® 2025

Peter Lauer

From 33,47 €

0,75 l

44,63 €/l

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Ayl KUPP "Unterstenberg" Riesling "Barrel 12" 2022

Peter Lauer

From 28,19 €

0,75 l

44,63 €/l

Nutrition

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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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