Sweet white wines are crafted with residual sugar, resulting in varying levels of sweetness. This can be achieved through various methods, such as halting fermentation before all the sugar is converted to alcohol, or by using grapes affected by botrytis cinerea (as seen in Sauternes) which concentrates sugars and flavours.

These wines can range from lightly sweet, with hints of fruitiness, to intensely sweet, boasting rich, honeyed notes and complex aromas of dried fruit, caramel, and spice.