Wines with lower alcohol can still pack a flavour punch and, with the recent change in alcohol duty, can often be easier on the purse too. Buying Director Stephen Crosland, picks out some of his favourites for the summer.
As a result of the government's changes to the alcohol duty system last year, the level of duty is charged on the alcohol level, making lower alcohol wines more attractive in price. As a result, many producers are looking at ways to reduce the alcohol level in wines, but this is difficult in sunnier climates and, as I was told very firmly by a South African winemaker, "fiscal policies shouldn't affect wine making decisions"! However, there are many wines that fall naturally below the critical 11.5% level and these make delightful drinking, especially during the summer months.
Vidigal's Vinho Verde comes in at 9.5% and is a fresh, lively wine for drinking young. Despite the name, Vinho Verde can come in a variety of styles including red! From a demarcated area in the north of Portugal, it's ideal with the local seafood but also makes a great apéritif. Sharpham is made at Sandridge Barton Vineyards on the banks of the River Dart in Devon. Predominantly Madeleine Angevine, the English answer to Sauvignon, it has great aromatic intensity and elderflower flavours with a refreshing 11% alcohol.
The classic region for lower alcohol wines is Germany's Mosel Valley and Mosel Kabinett in particular. Here at Weingut Meulenhof, Stefan Justen makes a wonderfully balanced wine from the fruit of the famous Erdener Treppchen vineyard with the acidity and sweetness coming together perfectly and citrus, peach and pear flavours in abundance. At just 9.5%, this shows that lower alcohol doesn't mean less flavour.
Finally, we have Tanners Gascony white, made by the Béraut family at Domaine de Pellehaut near Montréal du Gers, south east of Bordeaux. Alongside vines, they also farm cattle, Blonde d'Aquitaine breed, and grow cereals. They make this delicious fresh and fruity white for us from a mixture of grape varieties including Colombard, Sauvignon, Ugni Blanc and Chardonnay. At just 10.5%, it's the perfect summer wine