What Makes XXL Wine So Unique?

You've probably glimpsed wine bottles with XXL stamped on them in bold, shiny lettering, on social media or your neighborhood pub. And more often than not, these bottles are surrounded by groups of exuberant people who seem to be having a better time than you. This could partly be because this new variety of plonk is more suited to boisterous carousing than sedate evenings. The selection from XXL Wine definitely falls on the new-world end of the spectrum, and the tag on the bottle, a "Moscato without manners" only reinforces the image.

Available in a variety of fruity flavors, XXL wines go down easy and pack a punch with their potent 16% alcohol content. Following this formula of disguising strong alcohol notes under sweet flavors makes them excellent for summer daytime sipping and as a base for cocktails and wine spritzes. 

Wine purists may like the fact that these wines can also be aged and, therefore, offer some flavor evolution over time. Party animals, meanwhile, can celebrate how pocket-friendly a bottle of XXL wine is at just over $10. It's easy to see why this potent party vino's fan following is skyrocketing (on TikTok and beyond), as XXL wine continues to expand its reach and offerings. 

At 16% ABV, XXL wines fall just shy of other fortified wines like port wine and sherry, which range from 17 to 20 percent alcohol. XXL is also made using Moscato grapes, which are regularly used in sweet fortified wines because of their low acidity and fruity aroma. Technically, XXLs are a sweet liqueur wine, which means their booze content is bolstered by additional alcohol from grapes. Of course, a wine this boozy would not taste this sweet if it only underwent natural fermentation; XXL wines get their fruity bouquet from additional natural and artificial flavoring compounds.

And talking of fruity flavors, there are several. XXL wines are available in pineapple, mango, peach, blackberry, and strawberry-grape flavors. The first three are white wines, while the latter two are red. Some flavors currently not listed on their website but which were available at one point and could come around again include apple, guava, blueberry, and cherry.

XXL wine is unique because it is versatile enough to be used on a variety of occasions and has some serious crowd-pleasing properties. Its high alcohol potency and pleasant array of flavors, combined with the low price, make this a very easy go-to plonk. And despite the added flavoring, the underlying wine is no slouch either. XXL wines are made in Moldova, which is a prolific wine-manufacturing European country. The region's climate is highly conducive to grape farming and is known for exporting both red and white wines.

Like most sweet varieties, XXL wines are best consumed chilled (even the red ones), at a serving temperature of 46 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit. The wines are smooth and sweet with strong fruit flavors that pair well with desserts and fruit platters. The high alcohol content also gives them some boozy notes, which are more apparent in the milder flavored mango and pineapple wines.

With the help of some bar staples, you'll quickly see opportunities for mixing up XXL wines are endless. Something simple like carbonated water and a splash of juice turns the wine into a sparkling daytime drink. Or, you can muddle fresh fruit with mint and top it up with a corresponding flavored wine — might we suggest XXL's strawberry or mango option. 

Taking ideas from classic cocktails also produces delicious beverages — pineapple-flavored XXL wine pairs well with coconut liquor to make a piña colada-inspired wine cooler. To really impress your audience, whip up a layered New York sour, or ditch the whiskey for the Jack and Coke  and whip up a kalimotxo for la merienda instead. Whether you're just looking to bask on a hot day with a summer sangria refresher or pregame it while sharing the hot goss, wine is definitely in again.