Overall Impression
A mead with a noticeable, balanced honey sweetness. Increased honey character and body is noticeable, as compared to a M1A Dry Mead. Acid and tannin levels support the sweetness, but finishing sweetness does not dominate the mead. Has a similar balance, body, finish, and flavor intensity as found in the full range of semi-sweet to sweet white wines.
Appearance
Good to brilliant clarity. Greater clarity is more desirable. Any bubbles, foam, head, or effervescence is based on the declared carbonation level. Color as derived from declared honey varieties, but often pale straw to gold. Greater color vibrancy and brightness is more desirable.
Aroma
Honey aroma should be noticeable to moderate, and can have a light sweetness that may express the character of flower nectar, reflective of any declared honey varietals. Balanced fermentation bouquet. Stronger meads may have a light, spicy alcohol note. Carbonated meads tend to express more aroma.
Flavor
Subtle to moderate honey character, reflective of declared varietals. Flavors similar to fermented honey aromatics in the aroma. Residual sweetness levels are medium-low to medium-high. Light to moderate sweet finish. Acidity should be balanced, soft, or bright but not crisp. Tannin may make a sweeter mead seem drier. Harsh, unpleasant, or excessively sulfury or yeasty fermentation characteristics are undesirable.
Mouthfeel
Body is generally medium-light to medium-full. Stronger meads may have a fuller body and warmth. Sensations of body should not be accompanied by a residual sweetness that is higher than moderate. Carbonation as indicated by declared level, from still to sparkling.
Characteristic Ingredients
Honey of any source. Varietal honeys are expected to exhibit distinctive characteristics associated from those declared varieties.
Entry Instructions
Entrants must specify sweetness, carbonation, and strength levels; sweetness is restricted to semi-sweet in this style. Honey varieties may be declared.
Comments
Semi-Sweet Mead is characterized by its balanced sweetness. The actual range of sweetness can be quite broad, since it needs to cover the space between dry and sweet meads.