Low-alcohol wines for lighter indulging

By Rachna Jain

A few years back, wine lovers used to have an all-or-nothing mentality about wine. But people are now concerned about their health and well-being. A rise can be seen in moderate consumption of alcohol and the producers are trying to launch low-alcohol products to meet the requirements of such consumers. If you are a health-conscious wine lover who wants to continue drinking wine without worrying much about the side-effects of alcohol, then we can assure you that you can do so! It can be hard to say no to a glass of wine, especially during a social event, so how about drinking a low-alcohol lighter wine, which is similarly delicious and has a premium taste?

What are low-alcohol wines?

Wines with alcohol content less than 10% are considered a low-alcohol or lighter wines. They are around 30% lighter than the regular full-strength wines and are thus, perfect for people who want to control their alcohol intake but not quit it completely.

How are low-alcohol wines made?

Low-alcohol wines can be produced through various processes:

Vacuum distillation – Alcohol is removed at low temperature and the aromatics are blended back in later.

Spinning cone columns – Inverted cones and centrifugal forces are used to repeatedly conduct low-temperature evaporation and condensation. The other elements except alcohol are blended back together.

Reverse osmosis – Different elements of wine are separated based on their molecular sizes. The alcohol is removed, and other elements are blended back.

However, some varieties can be naturally lower in alcohol, like Semillon, Riesling, Moscato or Gamay. These flavoursome wines are ideal when you want to drink something fresh and light.

Is a low-alcohol wine still full of flavour?

A low-alcohol white wine is delicate and crisp. Additionally, you can experience the lighter floral, citrus or fruity flavours due to its lack of overpowering alcohol level. On the other hand, a low-alcohol red wine may have lesser intense heat as compared to the higher-alcohol ones, however, you will still pick up on the complex and rich flavours.

Why are low-alcohol wines healthier?

Wine requires sugar to ferment and produce alcohol. However, low-alcohol wines have very less sugar comparatively as they are completely fermented. So, if you are following a strict diet regime or are just trying to make healthier choices in terms of food, low-alcohol wines are the healthier option.

There are a variety of processed and naturally low-alcohol wines available in the market. If the natural low-alcohol wines are your choice, here is a guide showing the approximate calories (per serving) in various wine types. So, the next time you buy wine, you can check the calories in it and make your decision.

(Source: Winefolly)

If you only drink wines having 13% ABV or more, you should try some under 10% ABV. Having lesser alcohol and calories than the heavier wines, they have a higher health benefits and not much taste difference. Also, less alcohol means you can drink more of it and still skip the hangover and dehydration. Thus, drinking low-alcohol wines will let you enjoy the beauty of an afternoon with good food paired with wine, without getting drunk. What’s not to love about them? But it is also necessary to note that if you have problem with alcohol, you must speak to your doctor. Be sensible, drink wisely.

References

https://www.decanter.com/learn/how-is-no-alcohol-wine-made-ask-decanter-429993/

https://www.ilovewine.com/low-alcohol-wine-guide-everything-you-need-to-know/

https://www.seccowineclub.com/why-you-should-drink-low-alcohol-wine/

https://www.winecompanion.com.au/articles/news/low-alcohol-wines-for-a_lighter-january

https://www.winefolly.com/tips/wine-nutrition-facts/

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/food/healthy-eating/a709010/are-low-alcohol-and-alcohol-free-drinks-healthy/