Great dry wines that have less than 12% alcohol
We all get told to cut down our alcohol intake. It's a bore, but it's probably prudent to have at least one eye open to the nagging public health guidelines, even if you don't take every piece of advice literally. For example, I find the UK's recommended limit of 14 units a week impossible to adhere to, particularly when it's beautiful outside and all you want to do is find a nice wine bar with an outside table.
However, one method where you can't cut down your alcohol without totally eradicating all the pleasure of wine, is to drink wines with lower abv levels. There are some specialist low-alcohol wines on the market, such as 6Percent. I tasted its sauvignon blanc and merlot-cabernet sauvignon blend at the London Wine Fair and it's not bad. The wine is made from grapes grown in Bordeaux, and to achieve the per cent abv level the alcohol is lost via vacuum distillation, and then full strength wine is blended to raise the alcohol level up to six per cent.
Alternatively, you can drink more wine around the 11-12% cent abv level, and that is what I have consciously tried to do. The difference in units between these wines, and wines at around 15 per cent abv is quite significant (a glass of 175ml wine with 11.5% alcohol is two units, whereas a wine with 15% abv at the same volume is more than two and a half units) and the lower alcohol doesn't diminish the body or texture of the wine, provided they are well made. Below are some wines that I’ve particularly enjoyed that come in under 12 per cent abv:
Exton Park Reserve Blend RB32 (£39, direct from producer) 11.5% abv
Excellent fizz from the Hampshire-based producer's oldest reserve wine. A blend of 60 per cent pinot noir and 40 per cent chardonnay. Quite citrusy and lean, the 7g/l dosage helps even out the high acidity. Brioche notes quite evident, which I love (minimum of three years on the lees).
Ruggeri Giustino B Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry (£21.99, Simplywinesdirect.co.uk) 11.5% abv
'Extra-dry' means some sweetness when it comes to prosecco, and this has approximately 17g/l residual sugar for an off-dry feel. I tend to avoid prosecco (particularly the cheap stuff from supermarkets), but this is beautifully light with delicate fruit notes (it has been a while since I tasted it, at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter last November). Perfect as an aperitif.
Quinta do Ermizio ‘Chin Chin’ Vinho Verde (£13, widely available) 11.5% abv
A great budget Vinho Verde. This Portuguese white wine has been steadily gaining popularity and Chin Chin is a collaboration between the London restaurant chain Noble Rot and Quinta do Ermizio. A blend of Loureiro, arinto and treixadura, there is a slight petillance to this (befitting the vinho verde style) with citrus flavours of lemon and grapefruit. Refreshing high acidity. I’ve often wondered what this would be like with slices of peaches in the glass. At least you’d be getting one of your five a day.
Henry Of Pelham Riesling 2021 (£16.25 Cellar Door Wines) 10.5% abv
If you like riesling and don’t mind some sweetness then you can explore the kabinett rieslings from Germany, which tend to come in at around 8% per cent. If dry is more your kind of thing then this excellent Canadian expression of riesling from Niagara Peninsula is worth trying. It is essentially dry in character with perhaps just slightly off-dry. Ripe and concentrated. Great value.
Dirk Niepoort Conciso Branco 2021 (£37.95 The Whisky Exchange) 11.5% abv
From Portugal’s Dao region and made by legendary producer Dirk Niepoort, this is a blend of bical, encruzado and malvasia. Citrusy, discreetly toasty, white peach and a saline finish. Linear - basically everything I like about white wine. This should age really well (the Wine Society had this on sale for £23 earlier in the year, which was an absolute bargain. Unfortunately it’s sold out now).
Weingut Bertram-Baltes Dernauer Goldkaul Spatburgunder 2022 (£65 Howard Ripley) 11% abv
From the northerly Ahr region in Germany, this is a premium price but worth trying if you can afford it. More mineral and herbaceous than full of fruit. Bacon and pencil lead, cedar coming through on the finish. Unique.
Flight 50 – Mauricio Lorca
A talented Argentinian winemaker who has an established reputation in his home country. He is now also making wine in Castilla y Leon and Galicia in northern Spain. Below are my three favourite Lorca wines from a recent tasting at The Whisky Exchange.
Camino Empedrado Rosado de Merenzao 2022, Ribeira Sacra (£35.50 The Whisky Exchange)
Made from the trousseau variety (known as merenzao in Spain), this is a complex rose. Deep in colour, with subtle and fresh red fruit. It's fantastically textured on the palate with some toasty flavours. Worth the price.
Block 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Mendoza (£20.95 The Whisky Exchange)
Grapes from vines grown 1,000 to 1,200 metres above sea level on sandy soil. Excellent expression of a New World cabernet, ripe, black berry, cedar and liquorice. Silky tannins for this variety.
Espiritu Indomito Godello 2023, Castilla y Leon (£21.75 The Whisky Exchange)
A fresh expression of godello, a variety that can be made a tad too oily. Fruit-focused, saline and high acidity. Worth giving a go if you're tired of picpoul de pinet or sauvignon blanc.
This is really informative & helpful, I look for lower alcohol in wines & most drinks, but it’s rarely covered in wine columns, so thanks for the inspiration & inclusion!