Is Apothic Red sweet?
Yes, Apothic Red is on the sweet side for a red wine: it is smooth, jammy and slightly sweet, with vanilla and mocha flavors, which is exactly why so many people love it.
Apothic Red Winemaker’s Blend · Red blend (Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon) · California · nearly everywhere
- Alcohol
- About 13.5%
- Sweetness
- Off-dry, around 16 to 18 g/L of sugar
- Grapes
- Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
- Made by
- E. & J. Gallo
- From
- California
- Price
- About $9 to $12
- Calories
- About 130 to 140 in a 5 oz glass
What it tastes like
Black cherry, vanilla, chocolate and a little brown sugar. Very smooth with almost no grip, and it ends soft and sweet-ish rather than dry.
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
- Gripsmooth → grippy
Is it worth $10?
At about $10 it does exactly what it promises. It is not trying to be a dry, food-first red, and that's fine. If you love it, you will probably also love Ménage à Trois or 19 Crimes.
Who it’s for
For anyone who wants a red that drinks like dessert and never tastes harsh. Not for you if you like dry, earthy or tart wines; it will feel syrupy.
How to serve it
Serve it a little cool, about 20 minutes in the fridge. It keeps the sweetness from feeling heavy.
The backstory
Apothic is a Gallo wine. It started as a small test batch in 2007, then launched big in 2010 and helped kick off the whole smooth red blend craze. The recipe is four grapes plus a good dose of leftover sugar and plenty of oak, which is why it tastes like black cherry, vanilla and mocha instead of anything dry or tart.
How it compares
- Apothic Red vs Ménage à Trois Red
Ménage à Trois is a little less sweet and a bit lighter; pick Apothic if you want the dessert-y, mocha version.
- Apothic Red vs 19 Crimes
19 Crimes is Australian and slightly less sweet, with more blackberry and less chocolate; Apothic is richer and sweeter.
- Apothic Red vs Stella Rosa Black
Stella Rosa Black is sweeter still, lighter and a little fizzy; go there if Apothic is not sweet enough for you.
What to eat with it
Questions people ask
- What kind of wine is Apothic Red?
- A California red blend made by Gallo from Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is full-bodied and off-dry, meaning it keeps a little sweetness on purpose.
- Is Apothic Red dry?
- No, not really. Lab listings put it around 16 to 18 grams of sugar per liter, about 2.5 grams in a glass, which is several times what a dry red has. It won't taste like dessert wine, but you'll notice it.
- What does Apothic mean?
- It comes from "apotheca", an old word for a storeroom where wine was blended and kept. It is the same root as apothecary, which is why the brand leans into that mysterious, old-pharmacy look.
- Who owns Apothic wine?
- E. & J. Gallo, the biggest wine company in the US. They also make Barefoot, La Marca and Dark Horse.
- Where is Apothic wine made?
- In California. The label just says California because the grapes come from several parts of the state.
- How many calories are in Apothic Red?
- Gallo doesn't print a number on the bottle. With 13.5% alcohol and that extra sugar, expect roughly 130 to 140 calories in a 5 oz glass, or about 650 to 700 for the whole bottle.
If you like this, try
- Ménage à Trois RedRed blend (Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) · about $11It's fine
- 19 CrimesRed blend · about $11It's fine
- Stella Rosa BlackRed blend · about $13Good buy
Where Moxie recommends it
- What wine goes with steak?
- What wine goes with chocolate?
- What wine should a beginner try?
- What's a good sweet red wine?
- What is a red blend wine?
Last checked 2026-10-04. Moxie Vino isn’t affiliated with Apothic; this is our honest take. Bottle photo: Apothic (E. & J. Gallo).