New Zealand. A blessed country on the edge of the world. Covered in natural beauty unmatched anywhere. And it’s here in this crystal clear, cool, maritime climate we find the best place on earth to create full flavoured, naturally lighter in alcohol wines. Years of trials and testing by expert winemakers in vineyards around New Zealand have allowed us to master the art of growing cooler climate, slow ripening grapes boasting full flavours and less natural grape sugar to ferment into alcohol. The resulting wine is not only of the very highest quality, it’s also naturally lighter in alcohol. So you don’t have to give up what New Zealand wine is famous for. It’s the art of New Zealand winemaking at its most enlightened, delicious best.
Why NZ Lighter wine ?
There are times we all want to moderate our alcohol consumption. It may be to support other positive changes you are making to your lifestyle; perhaps because you want to remain sharper and more in control; or it might be simply because you have other things you need to do afterwards.
With these more moderate consumption occasions in mind, NZ Lighter wines are perfectly matched for you. Our grapes are grown in a cool, maritime climate and slow-ripened to produce full-flavoured wine with up to 30% less alcohol compared to an equivalent full strength wine. This means you can enjoy a glass without giving up what New Zealand wine is famous for – premium quality, varietally expressive wines.
Our wines are judged in open class wine competitions that include full strength wines and are regularly awarded medals and trophies.
About the NZ Lighter wines initiative
NZ Lighter wines is the product of a significant New Zealand research and development programme led by New Zealand Winegrowers and co-funded under the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).
The largest research initiative ever undertaken by the New Zealand wine industry, NZ Lighter wines is focused on the natural production of lighter-in-alcohol wines (defined as wines containing less than 10% alcohol by volume). This has effectively created a new and exciting category of wine.
The challenge is not simply to produce high quality lighter-in-alcohol wines, but to naturally lower the alcohol content without compromising flavour and varietal expression.
Like all great challenges, you ideally need people willing to back you, therefore NZ Lighter wines gratefully acknowledges the support of:
The founding NZ Lighter wines research programme
Back in about 2008 some pioneering New Zealand wineries identified the opportunity to create premium wines with lower alcohol levels in the styles that had been successful for New Zealand in many export markets. These companies quickly learnt that there were many challenges to this initiative, and to be successful required new grape growing and winemaking approaches. This formed the framework for a $17-million R&D programme in 2014 with the goal to achieve global leadership in the production and supply of premium quality, naturally lighter-in-alcohol wines.
With contributions from industry levies and direct investment by 18 participating New Zealand wine companies, the programme focused on all aspects of lighter-in-alcohol wines, covering everything from sustainable vineyard and winemaking practices, to sensory assessment, to market access.
Now we aim to deliver a forward-looking premium and sustainable product that supports drinking more responsibly and moderately as part of a healthier and more mindful lifestyle.
The 18 New Zealand wine companies participating in this innovative initiative are:
Accolade Wines, Allan Scott Wines, Constellation Brands, Forrest Estate, Giesen Wine Estate, Indevin, Kono, Lawson’s Dry Hills, Marisco Vineyards, Mount Riley Wines, Mt Difficulty Wines, Pernod Ricard, Runner Duck Estate, Spy Valley Estate, Villa Maria, Whitehaven Wine Company, Wither Hills, and Yealands Family Wines.
NZ Lighter wine company profiles
To find out more about New Zealand wine visit the official New Zealand wine website
