Wines For Keeping a Spring in Your Step
It’s that time of year when many of us are trying to be a little more responsible, whether it’s with our spending, our eating habits or, yes, even our imbibing. This doesn’t mean we have to give up the good stuff; a little moderation never hurt anyone. It’s good to keep in mind that the alcohol content of wine can fluctuate wildly dependent on grape and style. Two glasses of a lower-alcohol Riesling could easily equal one glass of a boozier Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz. For those looking to keep an eye on their tippling, the Canadian Vintners Association have produced a pretty sharp-looking website called WineModeration.ca and it offers a good amount of information. The recommended daily amount of wine is two five-ounce glasses (at 12 percent alcohol) per day for Canadian females, and three for males. Ideally we all take a day or two off per week, as well. The thing is, the majority of wine in the national market, both Canadian and international selections, are above that 12 percent mark. In fact, many cross the 15 percent threshold and beyond. When that percentage goes up, that decreases the recommended quantity that we should consume. Again, these are only recommendations, and we’re all the best judge of what works for each of us personally.
In saying all of this, it’s a good thing that there are a good variety of wine styles that still offer excellent quality at a lower alcohol percentage. The following wines are available right here at My Wine Canada, and even after a couple glasses, you should still have a little spring in your step the next morning.
Bella 2012 Sparkling Chardonnay – 11.7%
This traditional method sparkler from the Okanagan Valley bubbles over with apples, pears and plenty of citrus.
L’Acadie Vineyards 2011 Vintage Cuvee Rose – 11%
A unique East Coast blend of Marechal Foch, Seyval, and L’Acadie Blanc with red berry fruit and a touch of toastiness.
13th Street Vineyard 2012 Riesling – 11.8%
Rieslings are always a good go-to for lower-alcohol wines, and this old-vines gem from Ontario is a great place to start.
Flat Rock Cellars 2012 Gravity Pinot Noir – 12.5%
A selection of the best fruit from Flat Rock’s best vineyards has become a winery icon.
Elephant Island Orchard Wines 2011 Naysayer Cabernet Franc – 12.9%
While the Okanagan Valley’s Elephant Island Orchard Wines are famous for their fruit wines, winemaker Del Halladay toils with grapes as well. This Cabernet Franc is perfect for those wanting a ‘bigger’ wine, without fear of becoming lethargic after a couple glasses.
Kurtis Kolt is a Vancouver-based wine consultant, writer, competition judge and enthusiast. He’s not half as fancy/boring as that sounds. He Tweets and Instagrams @KurtisKolt.
