Lower Alcohol Wines | Wines that are naturally lower in alcohol

Описание: In this week's episode of 'The Wine Down' Rosamund Hall, wine writer for ‪@theindependent‬ tastes and talks about wines that are naturally lower in alcohol, looking at some grape varieties that pack a punch in flavour, but not ABV.

Sainsbury's Alvarinho, Taste the Difference, Portugal, 2023, 12.5 percent
Sainsbury's £9.75
Look to the wine regions of the northern Iberian peninsula such as Galicia in Spain and Vinho Verde in Portugal, who are under the constant influence of the wild and bracing Atlantic ocean. The white wines of Vinho Verde tend to land anywhere between 10.5-12.5 percent in alcohol, and are always uplifting and pleasurable. This Alvarinho, is also known as Albaranio, but is grown in Portugal, not Spain. With a zippy slice of lemon, a good squeeze of lime and touch of springtime blossom – this has all the refreshing acidity you might crave in a fresh glass of white.
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Dr L Grey Slate Private Reserve Riesling, Germany, 2023, 10.5 percent
Waitrose £9.99
When pushed to name a favourite grape variety, riesling always vies for a top spot for me. It can do everything, from lean and bone dry through to opulently sweet – it really deserves its ‘noble’ acclaim. One of the wonders of riesling is that it never really reaches headily-high levels of alcohol. Dr L, produced by one of the world’s best riesling producers, Loosen Estate, offers outstanding value for money. It’s ever so slightly off-dry, but with its drenching acidity sitting beautifully alongside citrus zest, a crunch of green apple and a slice of soft peach, it is totally moreish.
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Val de Loire Gamay, Huteau Boulanger, France, 2023, 12 percent
Wine Society £9.25
Look to France’s third largest wine producing region, the Loire Valley for an array of wines, including red, white, rosé and of course sparkling, all with judicious alcohol levels. There are more and more plantings of gamay, a great grape for lighter reds and this is a bright example. Plump blueberries sit alongside hedgerow blackberries and punnets of fresh dark cherries – it’s juicy and fun.
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Beck Ink, Weingut Judith Beck, Austria, 2022, 12 percent
Les Caves de Pyrene £16.55
If you’ve never had the pleasure of an Austrian wine, let this be your sign to seek them out. For whites, look for grüner veltliner, especially if you enjoy unoaked chardonnay’s and rieslings. For the reds, there are a range of varieties including blaufränkisch, zweiglet and st laurent all of which pack a punch in flavour, but not in abv. Judith Beck is one of the great champions of Austrian wines, supporting younger winemakers and championing innovation and sustainability. A wine made with minimal intervention, this is smoky, and reminds me of one of my favourite descriptors that a dear friend suggested once, ‘a hint of bacon frazzles’ (a popular crisp in the UK). But beyond that, it has bountiful fruit, with deep and juicy blackcurrants and blackberries, mouth-watering acidity and a touch of appealing fresh green herbs too.