With the new year upon us, we’re hearing more of the ‘New Year, New Me!’ mantra make its way around. Wine lovers, that doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite wines! Organic, low sugar, and low sulfate wines are great options if you’re looking for something lighter to drink, while also sticking to those New Year’s resolutions and intentions that you set. Read on for helpful tips and wine suggestions to try.
What Is Low Sugar Wine?
What determines the sweetness and sugar levels of a wine? Fermentation! When less sugar is fermented, more stays in the natural fruit. Sweet white wines (Moscato, German Riesling, and Spätlese) yield a shorter fermentation time, making it sweeter on the tongue.
Dry white wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio) have a longer fermentation period. Because of this, not much of the natural sugar is left in the grape, producing a drier taste on the palette. These wines typically have 1-3 grams of sugar per 5-ounce pour.
Sweet red wines (Tawny Port, Port, and Banyuls) are typically fermented with fruits other than grapes, think figs, dates, etc. These fruits have a natural sweetness that add sugar and flavor. Similar to dry white wines, dry red wines (Italian Chianti, Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Zinfandel) are also lower in sugar (1-3 grams per 5-ounce), fermented for much longer, and more tannic. A few dry red wine varietals include Italian Chianti, Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Zinfandel.
What Is Organic Wine?
To be labeled as an organic wine, producers need to go through a rigorous process of certification and the grapes need to be grown without the use of artificial or synthetic chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides. Many organic and sustainable vineyards also consider the water used in their irrigation practices and other earth-friendly growing practices!
Our wine stores now offer two new organic wine lines: Amore Organic Blends and Chaval Organic Wines. Both vineyards are certified organic and use a blend of locally grown grapes as well as internationally imported grapes.
Low Sugar Wine Pairings
Drinking low sugar or organic wines doesn’t mean giving up flavorful food pairings! There are plenty of delicious options to go along with our selections. Check out some of our favorite low sugar wines and suggested pairings below that will leave you feeling healthier in the new year. Cheers!
| Low Sugar Wine | Suggested Food Pairing |
|
Chardonnay |
Grilled shrimp skewers with bell peppers, finished with lime chimichurri sauce |
|
Pinot Grigio |
Oven baked salmon with roasted green beans and blistered grape tomatoes |
|
Sauvignon Blanc |
Braised lemon chicken with spinach noodles and parmesan |
|
Viognier |
Grilled fish tacos with citrus vinaigrette slaw and fresh cilantro |
|
Chianti |
Vesuvio style chicken with roasted potatoes and sugar snap peas |
|
Malbec |
Braised pork shank with mashed cauliflower and asparagus |
|
Pinot Noir |
Grilled beef tenderloin with roasted mushrooms and mushroom gravy |
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2 Comments
Very helpful. Always wondered how to determine a wines sugar content since it’s not on the label
Hi Jerry, we’re glad you read and enjoyed our blog post. Cheers! Aleah from the Wine Cellar Group.