Assortment of fruit and a wine glass with brightly colored liquid.

Discovery Series Explores Fruit Wine

There’s more to wine than grapes! Fruit wine is derived from other fruits, such as apples, pineapples, peaches, plums, cherries and many others. This month, explore various styles of fruit wine!

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Discovery Series

Discover Fruit Wine

Orchard in bloom, or cherry trees, or an image of snowy terrain but with fruit trees in the foreground.

Fruit wine has commercial importance in regions that may lack ideal grape-growing conditions.

Many agricultural areas are too warm or too cold to grow grapes. Other hardier fruit crops may be grown in these adverse conditions, and these fruits are often turned into wine.

Discover Fruit Wine

Glass of fruit wine, or a person sipping a brightly colored liquid surrounded by fruit trees or in an orchard.

Fruit wine is usually sweet, retaining the flavor and color of the original fruit.

Most fruit wine is made in a sweet style, although dry fruit wine does exist. Regardless of whether the wine is sweet or dry, the flavors and colors of the original fruit typically shine through.

Discover Fruit Wine

Fruit wine pairs well with a variety of spring foods.

Sweet fruit wine pairs well with after-dinner desserts such as cobblers, shortcakes and chocolates. Dry versions usually pair best with lighter dishes like chicken, fish and light cheeses.

Discover Fruit Wine

an image of colorful cocktails in varied glassware with fruit scattered around them.

Fruit wines can also be used in a variety of fresh, fruit-forward cocktails.

If cocktail mixology is your thing, fruit wines can be used in the same way as fruit-flavored liqueurs. If a recipe calls for raspberry schnapps, substitute with raspberry wine. Cherry brandy? Substitute with cherry wine. An apple-flavored liqueur? Substitute with a cider-style apple wine.