What is a key characteristic of a dry wine?

A key characteristic of dry wine is that it has little to no residual sugar. In winemaking, the term "dry" typically refers to the absence of sweetness in the final product, which means that the fermentation process has converted most of the sugars present in the grape juice into alcohol and other compounds. As a result, dry wines have a minimal residual sugar content, generally below 1% by volume. This lack of sweetness allows the wine's other flavors, aromas, and characteristics to shine through, providing a more crisp and refreshing taste profile.

In contrast, high residual sugar contributes to the sweetness of a wine, which characterizes sweet or off-dry wines rather than dry ones. Light carbonation is not a defining feature of dry wines; still wines can also be dry. Serving temperature is important for enhancing the perception of the wine, but it does not specifically define whether a wine is dry or not.