But with the season of indulgence—and arguably the worst year ever—officially behind us, many have been looking for more ways to cut back on their alcohol intake. While some Americans are going alcohol-free or even California sober, others are simply moving towards to more mindful drinking habits. This might include searching for easy ways to drink less (and enjoy it more), stocking up on healthier wines, or seeking low-sugar cocktails they can make at home. When it comes to wine, moderation is crucial. But rather than cutting it out altogether, a lower-alcohol wine can make a big difference.
What Is Low Alcohol Wine?
Exactly what it sounds like—wines with low alcohol by volume (ABV). “While there is no official cut off, these wines typically run from 6 to 11 percent ABV,” explains Christopher Hoel, founder of Harper’s Club and Luckysomm, and expert wine curator for Wine Insiders and Martha Stewart Wine Co. “Compare that to a pinot noir or California chardonnay, which usually fall between 12.5 to 14.5 percent.” While a few percentage points don’t feel like a lot, the slight drop in alcohol content can be the difference between that extra glass and a morning headache. And while you’re likely seeing a sudden influx of new wine brands offering lower-ABV versions of cabernet, chardonnay, and the like, rest assured that you don’t need to abandon “real” bottles to find low-ABV options. According to Hoel, you just need to know what varietals and labels to look out for. Here’s how to get started sipping low-ABV wines that won’t compromise on flavor.
How Low Alcohol Wines Are Made
Let’s talk about science for a second. “Wine alcohol is directly related to the amount of sugar available during fermentation,” Hoel says. The higher the sugar levels, the higher the potential alcohol level. “Now, alcohol content can be manipulated during the winemaking process—either naturally or manually stopping before all the sugar is consumed—but the sugar levels in the grape at the time of harvest are usually the best indicator of a wine’s potential strength.” There are three key determining factors of sugar content in a grape: Climate, altitude, and varietal. According to Hoel, grapes grown in moderate to cooler climates, or at higher altitudes, don’t ripen as quickly as their warm climate cousins. This results in lower sugar levels. “Additionally, certain grape varieties can ripen without escalating sugar levels, meaning they can get super ripe without that contributing to the final alcohol content.”
How to Look for Quality Low-ABV Wines
“Of course, you can identify low-alcohol wines by checking the ABV of the bottle, but searching through a sea of wine to find a bottle in your target range will be time-consuming,” Hoel says. Instead, refine your search by starting with varietals that are known for their low-alcohol levels, such as one of these.
