Zero% wine not your bag? Try these lighter alc reds instead

There is now so much choice when it comes to alcoholic drinks that some don’t even have alcohol in them anymore. In addition to all the wild flavours and creations that continue to roll out across the beer, wine and spirits world, we’re truly indulged with zero%* alcohol alternatives. And now, proving there is quite literally a wine for every occasion, we’re seeing a heap of new releases with around half the alcohol of traditional drops. It’s no secret that booze plays a big role in contributing all that delicious flavour, texture and body we love in wine, so these new vinos are striking a very happy medium and ticking all the boxes. Long lunches with mates just got a whole lot better.   

These lighter-in-alcohol wines aren’t just an afterthought, either. As Pepperjack chief winemaker Richard Mattner says, it took them a long time to nail their new 7% ABV Pepperjack Shiraz Mid Strength. How did they do it? Richard explains they used vacuum distillation to reduce their ever-popular shiraz’s ABV to 0%, and then blended the dealcoholised components with full-strength parcels in extensive trials. “We tried it at many different alcohol percentages, and 7% ABV was the one that most resembled our Pepperjack Shiraz. It was about finding that sweet spot,” he says.  

Richard says he never thought he’d be putting his blending skills to the test to create lighter-in-alcohol wine, but with so many people now looking to drink more responsibly, it’s been an important long-term project for the team. And it’s clear they’re not the only ones, judging by these brand-new releases below. 

1. Pepperjack Shiraz Mid Strength 
2. McGuigan MID Red Blend 
3. Grant Burge Mid Strength Ink Shiraz
4. Allevio Naturally Lighter Pinot Noir