🍷 Abboccato

Abboccato is an Italian word for wine with a light sweetness. It is written on the label and shows that the wine is not dry but not truly sweet either. It is a semi-dry wine with a little residual sugar, more than in a dry wine, which softens the taste.

The word comes from an Italian expression meaning with a soft mouth. In Italy, next to it stands amabile, which means a sweeter wine. Sweeter still are wines called dolce. These words help the buyer know in advance what to expect. European Union rules define which amount of sugar corresponds to which word, but the Italian words on labels remain traditional.

Abboccato belongs to semi-dry wines, as does amabile, similar in style, and to Italian wine in general. Such wines suit light starters, cheeses and spicy dishes. They are best served chilled. Italians sometimes use the word for wines that taste soft because of fruity aroma.