




That last one may surprise you. NZSB is not, generally, known for being a featherweight. But a relatively new initiative called NZ Lighter is starting to put more New Zealand wines at less than 10% alcohol on our shelves.





A few months ago, I wrote a post about the growth in sales of so-called lighter wines (wines with less than 10% alcohol by volume) in this country. I concluded the piece with the statement,
“Wine producers may still be a little shy about submitting their low alcohol wines for evaluation. According to my database, I have reviewed 276 New Zealand sauvignon blanc labels from the 2017 and 2018 vintages. Only three of them had an alcohol level below 10%.”
Forrest Wines The Doctor’s Sauvignon Blanc 2018 picked up a Bronze and Spy Valley’s Easy Tiger Sauvignon Blanc 2018 a Highly Commended.
The International Wine Challenge (IWC) is now in its 36th year and is accepted as the world’s finest and most meticulously judged wine competition which assesses every wine blind and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage.
Throughout the rigorous judging processes, each medal-winning wine is tasted on three separate occasions by at least 12 different judges and awards include medals (Trophy, Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended and Great Value awards. The IWC 2019 Awards Dinner will be held on 9 July 2019 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
For more information on the awarded NZ Lighter wines refer Our range
Drinks writer Peter Ranscombe selects five lower-alcohol wines. Even if the belt is pinching that wee bit tighter and the scales are groaning that wee bit more, it doesn’t mean that opting for lower-alcohol wines means compromising on taste.






But the trick producers face in taking their ABV from around 13 per cent to below 10 per cent is a loss of mouthfeel and "fatness" that alcohol brings.
But wine-makers are gradually solving the problem and a number of medallists in the New World Awards were low ABV wines that stood up when judged alongside weightier brethren.


Just what the Doctor ordered – Golds for The Doctors’ Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé
Congrats to the team at @TheDoctorsWines who have just brought home Gold for The Doctors’ 2018 Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé at the UK Women’s Wine and Spirit Awards. The wines were judged in open class up against full strength wines from around the world so going lighter doesn’t have to mean compromising on flavour and quality.
The Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards, is judged by the most important female buyers of wines and spirits. Their roles include Purchasing decision makers at major wine Importers, Distributors and Wholesalers; Restaurant and bar Buyers, Purchasing decision makers at major and medium sized Retailers.
