Low Alcohol Wines

This title is very much a self-confession of over-indulging but making a conscious effort to combat that, finally. When you’re in the wine business, it’s rather difficult to cut down on drinking as you feel you have to try as much as possible to keep up to date and your taste buds sharp. However, as we all know, the alcohol-free industry has been making great strides towards creating drinks that give the right sense, mood and tone that come with having an 18+ drink just without the 18+ element…

By Master of Wine, Christopher Burr 11/08/2023 There comes a time for all of us, when we just don't want any more alcohol. It could be as simple as being the designated driver, or the need to be clear headed the following day. In fact I generally shy away from drinking high strength drinks...perhaps one cocktail occasionally! But since I started enjoying and appreciating wine, fifty years ago, in my early 20's, when the average strength was 11% alcohol by volume, 12.5% in a really warm vintage…

By Master of Wine, Christopher Burr 15/01/2021 With lockdown it is tempting and enjoyable to open a few more bottles than normal. But I have found that this increased frequency of consumption is so much better if the alcohol levels are not up there at 14-15% which is increasingly the norm. Put it down to global warming, but more likely winemakers ability to grow much riper grapes. If you prefer lower levels of alcohol, which frankly I do, there has been a lot of de-alcoholised wines appearing…