Bikini season is creeping up, but with our help you can still enjoy your favourite tipple
By Helen McGinn
For a figure-friendly wine, start by checking the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV). Alcohol contains sugar, so the higher the ABV, the more sugar the wine contains. Pick a bottle with 9-10% ABV, rather than 12-13%, for example, and you’ll save around 140 calories. You’ll also find it easier to stick to the guidelines for alcohol consumption (14 units a week for women). One 175ml glass of 13% ABV wine contains 2.3 units of alcohol, while a 9% ABV one only contains 1.6 units.
What to pick Sadly, red wines rarely have an ABV below 12%, so go for white and sparkling wines. Also, certain grape varieties naturally produce wines with a lower alcohol content, and European wines are generally lighter than ones produced in sunnier climes like Australia – sunshine equals sweeter grapes. Look for Muscadet with an 11% ABV, Vinho Verde and Riesling with around 9% ABV, and Moscato with 7%. You can also get “lower alcohol” wines, which have had the booze stripped out with chemicals, but their often synthetic taste isn’t to everyone’s liking!
The favourites
1. Tesco Asti, £5.29
A sparkler made from the Moscato grape, so there is some sweetness in the wine, but the alcohol level sits at just 7% ABV. For a brilliant cheap and fuss-free party fizz, pour a bottle of this into a jug and squeeze in the juice of four limes. Refreshing and low cal!
2. Sainsbury’s Vinho Verde, £4.49
This northern Portuguese wine is crisp, light, lemony, ultra-perky, and weighs in at just 9% ABV. It’s made from a blend of white grapes, and is perfect served ice cold alongside pre-dinner nibbles.
3. Dr Wagner Riesling Mosel, £8.99, Waitrose
A gorgeous white wine with delicate apple and lemon fruit flavours, plus a touch of natural sweetness. Made from Riesling grapes grown on the steep slopes of the Mosel region of Germany, it has just
9.5% ABV. Very refreshing, it makes for a great aperitif.
- The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club by Helen McGinn is out now (£12.99, Pan Macmillan); visit Knackeredmotherswineclub.com
Compiled by: Sarah Mason Photography: Karen Thomas Styling: Jenny Hodges Stockist: Morrisons (0845 611 6111) Photography: Pixeleyesphotography.com Stockists: Sainsbury’s (Sainsburys.co.uk), Tesco (Tesco.com), Waitrose (Waitrose.com)
Filed under: Lifestyle, Magazine Tagged: ABV, diet, drink, healthy, low alcohol, sparkling, sugar, supermarket, wine
