dulce

Spanish · sweet

Dulce is the Spanish term that EU law lists as the equivalent of doux: sparkling wine with more than 50 g/L of sugar.1

Context

Dulce is the sweetest of the terms listed for Cava.2 One step drier is semi seco (32-50 g/L).1 The same band is also listed as doce, mild and, in Italian, dolce.1

Long-aged Cava categories do not reach this level: Cava Gran Reserva is allowed only as Brut Nature, Extra Brut or Brut.3,2 See doux and sweet sparkling wine.

Where the sugar comes from

After disgorgement the wine receives the liqueur d'expédition, cane sugar dissolved in wine; UMC gives 0 to 5-6 cl per bottle.4,5 Its amount decides which sweetness term the label may carry.

See also

douxGlossaryCavaRegionssemi secoGlossarydolceGlossarySweet sparkling: demi-sec and douxStylesThe sugar scale of sparkling wineDosage

Sources

  1. legislation.gov.uk (copy of EU OJ text). Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33, Annex III Part A (sugar-content terms for sparkling wines), original version as adopted (2018-10-17)
  2. Consejo Regulador DO Cava. Categories and types
  3. Consejo Regulador DO Cava. Pliego de condiciones DOP Cava
  4. Union des Maisons de Champagne. Dosage
  5. Comité Champagne (champagne.education). Fiche Élaboration du Champagne (FR) (2024-05)

Facts checked on 2026-10-19