In a world where wellness meets indulgence, the realm of wine is undergoing a delicious transformation. As more of us embrace mindful choices in their lifestyle, the wine industry is uncorking a new trend – wines that boast not only exquisite flavors but also low sugar and low-calorie content. Beyond the clink of glasses and the swirl of reds and whites, a movement towards balanced enjoyment is taking center stage.
In today’s blog, we delve into the captivating journey of discovering low sugar and low-calorie wines. From the vineyards where the magic begins to the glass where it’s savored, we’ll explore the intricacies of winemaking that blend health-consciousness with the art of crafting fine wines. Join us as we raise our glasses to a harmonious blend of taste, well-being, and the joy of a good sip. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a wellness seeker, prepare to be captivated by the harmony of health and flavor.
The concept of sugar-free wines, or wines with minimal residual sugar, has been around for a long time, but it’s important to clarify that all wines naturally contain some residual sugars due to the fermentation process. However, advancements in winemaking techniques and consumer demand for wines with lower sugar content have led to the creation of wines specifically marketed as “sugar-free” or “low sugar.”
SHOP THE PRODUCTSWhat is sugar free wine called?
Sugar-free wine is often referred to as “dry wine” or “zero-sugar wine.” Dry wines are fermented until most of the grape’s natural sugars are converted into alcohol, resulting in a wine with minimal residual sugar content. Dry wines are generally considered to have less than 1 gram of sugar per liter, making them a popular choice for individuals who are looking to reduce their sugar intake or follow a low-sugar or keto diet.
Best wine to drink when you’re counting calories?
When counting calories, it’s best to opt for wines with lower alcohol content and lower residual sugar levels. Here are some types of wine that tend to be lower in calories:
- Dry Wines: Dry wines, like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Cabernet Sauvignon, have less residual sugar and are generally lower in calories compared to sweet wines.
- Sparkling Wines: Brut or Extra Brut sparkling wines have lower sugar content than their sweeter counterparts like Sec or Demi-Sec. Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava are good choices.
- Light-bodied Red Wines: Some light-bodied reds, such as Pinot Noir, can be lower in calories compared to heavier red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz.
- Rosé Wines: Many Rosé wines are made in a dry style, meaning they have less sugar and calories than sweet Rosé wines.
- Lower Alcohol Wines: Wines with lower alcohol content tend to have fewer calories. Look for wines labeled as “lower alcohol” or “light” wines.
How is the winemaking process different when making low sugar wine?
The winemaking process for low sugar wines can involve several specific techniques and considerations to reduce the amount of residual sugar in the final product.
Grape Selection and Harvesting: Choosing grapes with lower natural sugar content is the first step. Harvesting grapes earlier, when they have lower sugar levels, can contribute to lower sugar content in the resulting wine.
Crushing and Pressing: After harvesting, the grapes are crushed to release their juices. Pressing is then used to separate the juice from the skins and seeds. Minimizing skin contact can reduce the amount of sugar transferred from the skins to the juice.
Fermentation: The fermentation process converts grape sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide through the action of yeast. To create low sugar wines, winemakers might choose yeast strains that have a higher tolerance for alcohol, allowing them to ferment more sugars into alcohol.
Fermentation Control: Winemakers can control the fermentation temperature and duration to influence the yeast’s ability to consume sugars. Lower fermentation temperatures and slower fermentations can result in less sugar being converted to alcohol.
Fermentation Halt: Some winemakers intentionally halt fermentation before all the sugars are converted, leaving residual sweetness in the wine. In low sugar wines, this technique might be used to create a balanced, off-dry style.
Chaptalization: Chaptalization is the addition of sugar to the grape must before fermentation. In the case of low sugar wines, this technique might not be used or might be used sparingly to avoid raising the overall sugar levels.
Blending: Blending different batches of wine can help achieve the desired sugar level. For instance, blending a wine that’s been stopped before complete fermentation (with residual sugar) with a fully dry wine can create a wine with lower overall sugar content.
Filtration and Fining: Fining agents can be used to clarify the wine and remove any remaining solids or unwanted compounds, including some residual sugars.
Aging and Oak Influence: Barrel aging can add complexity to the wine and potentially mask any residual sweetness. The choice of oak barrels and the length of aging can impact the wine’s overall flavor profile.
And now, on to the recommendations! Here are a few of our favorite guiltless wines.
Best Sugar Free or Low Sugar White Wine?
Sunny with a Chance of Flowers
The grapes for Sunny wines are harvested at peak ripeness then brought to the estate winery and fermented to dryness, which means that the natural sugar present in the grapes at harvest is converted to alcohol until there is none remaining. For wine, they call this ‘zero residual sugar’. Any sweetness you taste from drinking Sunny wine is due to the fruit and nothing but the fruit!
All Sunny wines have 85 calories per 5oz serving. That’s about 33% fewer calories than an average 5oz glass of wine.
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Kendall Jackson Low Cal Chardonnay
Bright and balanced, the Kendall-Jackson Low Calorie Chardonnay displays flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and creamy lemon meringue, highlighted by delicate notes of white flower. Aged in small oak barrels, French cooperage gives this wine a touch of vanilla and hazelnut on the mid-palate that broadens through an elegant finish. This is a bright & elegant wine with just 85 calories, no sugar, and 3 grams of carbs per serving.
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Illuminate by Kim Crawford
A refreshingly new take on the wine experience, Kim Crawford Illuminate New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc White Wine is light in style, yet satisfyingly flavorful. This Kim Crawford sauvignon blanc bestows aromas of passionfruit and guava with hints of citrus. The full flavor and crisp acidity of this elegant white wine are highlighted by a fresh herbal and citrus finish. Carefully chosen, sun-ripened New Zealand grapes undergo cold-soaking prior to fermentation and treatment with Spinning Cone technology, which removes a portion of the alcohol without impacting the aroma or taste of this New Zealand white wine. The result is a lower calorie, reduced alcohol wine with satisfying aroma and taste in each glass of wine. y 70 calories per serving and 7.0% ABV.
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Flight Song by Brancott
Brancott winemakers selected and harvested grapes earlier than usual to craft full-flavored wines that are naturally lighter in alcohol than those in the Brancott Estate range. The wine is complemented by tropical and passion fruit notes. The body shows approachable citrus acidity in perfect balance with the ripe fruit flavors leading to a clean crisp finish. This lively wine opens with bursts of lime and gooseberry on the nose, and citrus flavors.
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Cupcake Lighthearted
Cupcake Vineyards has found a solution that will make wine drinkers’ hearts soar in delight. The new Cupcake LightHearted delivers the glass of wine that wine drinkers crave without the extras that they don’t.
This new Cupcake Wine is just 80 calories a serving, less than 1 gram of sugar and 8% alcohol. The low carb, gluten free, low sugar and vegan wine is definitely a wine drinker’s dream come true.
Add to cartBest Sugar Free Red Wine?
FitVine Cabernet Sauvignon
Classic Cabernet nose of currant, lavender, black licorice and a hint of new oak. Rich purpose soft tannins wrap around flavors of cedar, boysenberry and coffee, chocolate with a hint of leather. Full flavored, clean taste with a smooth finish. 117 calories, 14.1% alcohol.
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The Simple Grape
The Simple Grape uses high quality, sustainably grown California grapes to craft wines without added sugars or artificial ingredients.
The Simple Grape is proud to be sourced from Certified Sustainable vineyards, certified by Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing. The vineyards from which they source their wines have committed to sustainable winegrowing requirements based upon industry best practices. These include, protecting ecosystems and wildlife habitats, preserving natural resources (like water conservation), as well committing to be good partners to their employees and within their community.
Add to cartBest Sugar Free Champagne?
Madame Zero
The freshness, brightness and perfectly balanced acidity have made this Houstonian owned champagne house award winning, inspired by transparency and best in class quality. Champagne Madame Zéro is extra aged, derived from just one coveted grape, one Premier Cru village and with less than .5g of sugar per glass. 100% chardonnay from Vertus with 5 years of aging reveals hints of honey, rich ripe citrus, passionfruit, lemon and a clean elegant finish.
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