What does a "dry" wine mean?

A "dry" wine refers primarily to its sugar content, specifically that it contains little to no residual sugar after fermentation. This means that virtually all the natural sugars from the grapes have been converted into alcohol during the fermentation process. As a result, dry wines tend to have a less sweet taste compared to off-dry or sweet wines, which retain higher levels of residual sugar.

In the context of the other options, fruity flavors can be present in both dry and off-dry wines, as sweetness does not solely define a wine's flavor profile. High tannins relate to the astringent quality usually found in red wines and do not inherently correlate with sweetness. Serving temperature, such as serving a wine chilled, is not indicative of its dryness; both dry and sweet wines may be enjoyed at various temperatures depending on personal preference and wine style. Understanding this distinction is essential in evaluating wine styles and describing them accurately.