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Dry doesn’t mean fruitless.
During fermentation, yeast converts the natural sugar in grapes into alcohol. When little to no sugar remains, the wine is considered dry. A dry wine can still be intensely fruit-forward.
If “dry” means a rough or drying feeling to you, you may be noticing tannin instead. Your reaction is useful even before you have a name for it.
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Tell your host whether you want less sweetness, less drying grip, or more fruit flavor. Those are different requests. Preferences for chocolate, fruit, or other familiar foods can start the conversation, but they do not determine which wines you will enjoy.