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Weeknight wines: 6 low-alcohol drops for any occasion

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 05 Sep 2024

By
Lulu Morris

A couple enjoying a pasta with a glass of red wine

Red, white, sparkling and rosé – these wines come in under budget and ABV.

Not every wine is an occasion. Sometimes a wine can just as easily slot into your weekday pasta dinner (or even in the pasta). These are wines that don’t necessarily break the bank, but are cheerful and affordable. The why-nots, the recipe-calls-for-wine, the just-a-nice-glass types. They’re the ones that aren’t cellared away, but stare at you from the kitchen counter. Dependable, sturdy and consistent, just like your fave midweek meal (takeaway or not).

When it comes to weeknights, we’re often looking for something lower in alcohol, too. Zero% wines have their haters, and if that’s you then we suggest going for something lighter in alcohol – say, around 7% instead of 13%. This feat is usually achieved by harvesting the grapes early for a naturally lower alcohol content, rather than removing the alcohol later. This way, you get the full flavour you hope for, with the added bonus of a reduced ABV.

So, in honour of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we’ve rounded up a few wines that are lighter on alcohol (win-win) and super happy to be opened whenever you feel like it.

Pair with some lightly salted edamame, and you’re in for a good time.

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1. Grant Burge Lighter Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: you can drink sparkling wine whenever the hell you want to. It doesn’t have to be reserved for an occasion or special moment; it can be cracked when the mood calls. Whether that’s a new season of your fave show, a swish new haircut, or finding the perfect pair of jeans – it’s all gravy, baby. For those occasions, we recommend Grant Burge’s Lighter Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling. Made with grapes from the Adelaide Hills, Alpine Valleys and Eden Valley, this cool-climate bubbly is delicate, balanced and elegant – and it comes in at 7.5% ABV, compared to the standard 12–12.5% of most sparkling wines. Pair it with some lightly salted edamame, and you’re in for a good time.

2. Tread Softly Forever Young Rosé

Come Wednesday, it is hard to find the time and energy to do anything, much less separate your recycling (we still do it obvs, we’re just tired). Buying a bottle of Tread Softly Forever Young Rosé is a simple, even lazy way to be eco-conscious. For every six bottles of Tread Softly bought, the brand plants a tree in the Tread Softly forest (as of 2023, that’s over one million trees and counting). They have also undergone certification through the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Program, which is no small feat. That’s gotta make you feel good on a Wednesday night. To taste, expect strawberry, cherry, subtle vanilla and brown spice finishing softly (get it?). It also sits at a very light 5.5% ABV – thanks to picking the grapes early – which is perfect for midweek. Pair it with a hunk of brie and you’re golden.
Pair it with a hunk of brie and you’re golden.

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Taste good with mushroom risotto or bean burger.

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3. South Island White Mist Pinot Noir

Listen, if lamb chops are on the menu for your midweek dinner, first of all, yum – good for you. Secondly, have you thought about a wine? If not, we’re here for you, boo. Consider South Island White Mist Pinot Noir. Sitting at wallet-friendly price point, it's a lighter-style pinot noir that is just as highly recommended as its full-strength brother – so a steal. Think red plums, red fruits and subtle tannins to taste, a great expression of the Marlborough region. Best of all? It’s only 9% ABV. We’ve nailed that food pairing, too. But if you’re not into lamb, a mushroom risotto or bean burger works a treat.

4. Villa Maria Lighter in Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc

You know what’s underrated? A cheeky savvy B on a Thursday night. We don’t know why exactly, it just kind of hits the spot. And Villa Maria’s Lighter in Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc is no exception; in fact, it’s spot on. Lighter in alcohol, but still showcasing those familiar savvy b flavours of passionfruit and grapefruit, it’s proper bang for your buck. At 9.5% alcohol, it’s about 25% lighter than its full-strength sibling. Serve it up with a prawn cocktail with the sauce of a thousand islands if you want to be a bit spesh, or your local fish and chippies would be a winner, too.
Pair it with local fish and chippies.

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Beautiful and complex layers of flavour – ripe red fruit aromas with nice spice and rich berry on the palate

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5. Cat Amongst The Pigeons Mid-Strength Barossa Shiraz

Weeknight dinners are about being lazy and ticking off those essential vitamins like iron. Sorry, but we’re not cooking souffles on a freaking Tuesday. Are you out of your mind? So, obviously, we’re opting for a burger with the works to tick off that “iron” box. Not a Maccas cheeseburger that’ll outlive the earth, but something like a smash burger with good meat, pickled beetroot, pineapple, bacon, tonnes of lettuce, pickles and tomato. All the good stuff. Speaking of good stuff, Cat Amongst Pigeons Mid-Strength Barossa Shiraz would go famously with your works burg. With beautiful, complex layers of flavour – ripe red fruit aromas with nice spice and rich berry on the palate – this is a match made in midweek heaven at just 7.5% ABV.

6. Yalumba Y-Series Pinot Grigio

To top it off, we have a beautiful pinot grigio that’s light in alc but full in flavour. Listen, if you’re planning a lazy pesto pasta (and there’s always one day, let’s be real) Yalumba’s Y-series Pinot Grigio should be the go-to. Vibrant with some standout orange blossom and wild honey aromas, this pinot grigio is delish and tastes just like its much-loved full-strength sibling but at 7% alcohol. Expect fresh apple, crunchy pear, subtle cinnamon and a gorgeous rich and creamy mouthfeel to finish. Perf!
Vibrant with some standout orange blossom and wild honey aromas

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Looking for more affordable buys? Check out the other lists we’ve created for all budgets.
Shop related products
Grant BurgeLighter Alcohol Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling
Lighter Alcohol Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling
Member Offer
$20 per bottle Non-Member: $25.99 each
 
Tread SoftlyForever Young Rosé
Forever Young Rosé
Member Offer
$13 per bottle Non-Member: $14.99 each
 
South IslandWhite Mist Pinot Noir
White Mist Pinot Noir
Member Offer
$17 per bottle Non-Member: $19.99 each
 
Villa MariaMarlborough Lighter Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand
Marlborough Lighter Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand
$19.99 each
 
Cat Amongst The PigeonsMid Strength Barossa Shiraz
Mid Strength Barossa Shiraz
$16.99 Each
 
image credits: Charlie Hawks (photography) Bridget Wald (styling)
Authour image
Lulu MorrisLulu is a writer at Dan Murphy’s who loves Pina Coladas, but hates getting caught in the rain.
Tags
Hit ListPinot NoirLow alcoholShirazSparklingRed WinePinot GrigioSauvignon BlancWineRoseOn a budgetWhite Wine
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