Wines that are 12% or under
In the last 20 years, average wine percentage volumes have increased from 9% to 13% and it is not unusual to find Australian, South African and Chilean red wines at 14% or more.
The great British public's demand for alcoholic wines is well serviced by the new world wine producers. Those big Aussie cabernet sauvignons meet the Brits need for a full bodied, rounded, blackcurrently, non tannic glug but often comes at a high price - a 125ml glass of a 14% wine could cost you 2 units of your precious 'recommended weekly allowance' of alcohol.
Back in the day, a 125ml glass of wine would only have been 1 unit. And of course you can now choose from a normal glass or a large glass of wine in pubs, bars and restaurants, a large glass usually being 175ml and weighing in at a hefty 3 units of alcohol.
So what do you do if you love wine and don't want to cut down? Well one option is to choose wines with lower alcohol, thus reducing your units without compromising on quantity.
Listed below are a number of options - all of them very drinkable and all wines are 12 percent alcohol or under.
Are you worried about the quantities of alcohol you are consuming? How important do you think lower alcohol wines are to our well-being? Leave a comment below (you don't need to be a member).
White wines 12% or under
Crisp and very dry. Similar to a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc but much better value for money. 11.5% alcohol.
Kees Kieren Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2004
A nice light Riesling from Germany. 8.5% alcohol.
Trierer Deutschherrenberg Spätlese 2003 Deutschherren-Hof
This is a medium white wine from Germany, benefiting from late harvested (that's what Spätlese means) grapes. 8% alcohol.
Rosé wines 12% or under
Boschendal Rosé 2007 Coastal Region
A delightful Rosé wine from South Africa - dry and light but still a refreshing mouthful. 12% alcohol.
Red wines 12% or under
Baroncini Cavalcante Sangiovese Di Toscana 2004
A lip smacking Sangiovese that will go well with white meat dishes and pasta.
12% alcohol
Les Deux Clochers Pinot Noir St Pourcain 2005
A delightful Pinot Noir from the Loire Valley in France. It is light and fruity and fine for drinking on its own or with pretty much any dish. 12% alcohol.
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