Carlo Rossi Sweet Red Wine (Tasting Notes, Food Pairing Tips)

If you love dessert wines, the luscious, fruit-forward Carlo Rossi Sweet Red may just be your new favorite wine!

This easy-drinking red blend wine comes from the Carlo Rossi winery situated in the Great Central Valley of California.

Discover all about Carlo Rossi Sweet Red wine, including its flavor profile and character, the best way to serve and pair this sweet red, and a few interesting facts about Carlo Rossi. 

Carlo Rossi Sweet Red Wine Flavor Profile and Character

Carlo Rossi Sweet Red wine wine is non-vintage (made with uniquely delicious grapes from harvests of several vintage years.) Since each harvest's grapes differ in character, Carlo Rossi wine's style and flavor profile also evolves from year to year. 

Carlo Rossi Sweet Red wine is medium-bodied with rich berry flavors, hints of bright red fruits, and fresh floral notes. 

The wine is layered with sweet vanilla, caramel and floral aromas. Subtle notes of bright red berries and citrus fruits add to the rich flavor which translates into a nice crisp finish. 

Since the beginning, Carlo Rossi has been bottling its Sweet Red wine in sturdy glass jug bottles, as well as in regular wine bottles. 

But Where Do Jug Wine Bottles Come From?

Jug wines date back to the 1930s, when commercial winemaking took off in California. People gathered at the winery for the grape stomping and took the fresh juice home in a glass jug to drink later. 

Today, jug wines are popular to enjoy at gatherings due to their big size. With their simple loop handle, the jug bottles are convenient to carry, sensibly priced, and facilitate easy opening. 

Buying Carlo Rossi Sweet Red Wine

You may be wondering, what’s the price of a bottle of Carlo Rossi Sweet Red wine?

A 750ml bottle of Carlo Rossi Sweet Red costs $4.

If you prefer a sturdy glass jug, the average price is $15. 

You can buy Carlo Rossi Sweet Red at most alcohol stores, online wine stores, and certain grocery stores that sell alcoholic beverages. 

How to Serve and Pair Carlos Rossi Sweet Red Wine

Sweet, rich wines like this one should be served at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). 

The wine is sweet without being saccharine, making it a great accompaniment to cheese plates and desserts. Enjoy a bottle of this sweet red wine with your favorite fruits (especially citrus fruits), vanilla-flavored desserts, and dark chocolate to end the evening. 

It also enhances the flavor of salty foods like blue cheese, pasta dishes, and prosciutto. The complexity of this blend wine beautifully complements grilled meats, spicy red pasta sauces, and strong cheeses.

Next, let’s look at a few interesting facts about the winery. 

A Few Interesting Facts on Carlo Rossi 

Carlo Rossi was a wine promoter renowned for his straightforward approach to wine. He famously coined the phrase, “I like to talk about wine, but I’d rather drink it.”

Here are a few other interesting facts about the winery:

• In the 1950s, Carlo Rossi worked in E. & J. Gallo as a promoter for the Red Mountain wine brand. 
• In the 1970s, the wines were rebranded to Carlo Rossi and were distributed nationally. 

• Carlo Rossi is notorious for naming its wines after famous European wine appellations such as Burgundy, Chablis, and Chianti. 

What Other Styles Does Carlo Rossi Produce?

Carlo Rossi wines are usually blended from several grape varietals, including Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, sourced from California’s Central Coast. 

These are the wine styles produced by the Carlo Rossi winery:

• Sangria:

  • Carlo Rossi Sangria
  • Pink Moscato Sangria
  • Moscato
  • Watermelon Sangria
  • Pineapple Sangria
  • Raspberry Sangria

• Red Wines:

  • Paisano 
  • Carlo Rossi Burgundy 
  • Sweet Red
  • Cabernet Sauvignon 
  • Merlot
  • Carlo Rossi Chianti
  • Sweet Rose
  • White Zinfandel

• White Wines:

  • Chardonnay
  • Chablis
  • Rhine

A Plush Sweet Red For Your Next Meal

Carlo Rossi Sweet Red wine is one of America’s favorite dessert wines, and it’s easy to see why. The rich berry flavors and floral aromas make this wine a perfect addition to your dinner table. 

If you’re looking for an investment wine instead, check out the Vinovest website to explore how to easily buy, store, and sell the best vintage editions of your favorite wine bottles from all over the world.