Comments on: Any recommendations for good lower alcohol wine?

Question: Any recommendations for good lower alcohol wine?

janecr — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 11:19:16 -0800

I'm looking for recommendations for wine that is naturally low in alcohol (as opposed to the dealcoholised versions). There are quite a few German wines in the 7-8% ABV category e.g. by Dr Loosen but they are (a) a bit sweet and (b) very very expensive. Anyone got any other suggestions?

By: languagehat

languagehat — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:04:58 -0800

I no longer live in walking distance of an excellent wine store [insert bitter lament here], but there should be lots of German wines available at that alcohol level—German wines are known for that. It's true that rieslings used to be vinified at least slightly sweet, but they've been making drier wines for the export market. And the "very very expensive" ones tend, if anything, to be sweeter; where are you doing your research? If you go into any good wine store with a decent German selection, they should be able to find one in your price range.

By: letourneau

letourneau — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:32:12 -0800

In the summer, I love to drink vinho verde, a Portugese controlled appellation. It's very young, tart, often a little fizzy white wine, best served on the cold side. Tends to run about 9-10% ABV, and rarely more than $10 per bottle.

By: janecr

janecr — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:35:34 -0800

I'm researching online at Berry Bros and Rudd as lots of the other online wine sites don't give the ABV. Prices range from £10 to £200+... Have tried places locally but not a huge range of German wines (market in UK still recovering from the Liebfraumilch years, maybe) and those in the lower ABV are in same price range.

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 19:32:04 -0800

I'll second the vinho verde recommendation.

By: Steven C. Den Beste

Steven C. Den Beste — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 01:36:09 -0800

I think you may be running up against a legal definition. Isn't it the case that if the alcohol content is too low, they're not allowed to call it "wine"?

By: janecr

janecr — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 04:01:21 -0800

Apparently French law forbids any fermented grape-based drink containing less than 8% alcohol from calling itself wine, but not aware of similar laws in other countries?

By: Utilitaritron

Utilitaritron — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 06:35:42 -0800

Thirding vinho verde. Make sure it's not more than a year old.