New low-calorie wines hit supermarket shelves with 4 top picks plus great value Pinot Noir for under tenner
IN 25 years of writing about wine I don't think a month has slipped by when the results of another study has been published suggesting that wine was good, or bad, for you.
Indeed, just this week the findings of the latest hinted at the idea that drinking champagne
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New low calorie wines have hit the shelves for bargain prices
Credit: Getty
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There's a delicious Prosecco as part of the DrinkWell range
Credit: Getty
The
Its publication came the day after I had had lunch with Tom Bell, the founder of DrinkWell, an innovative
It would have been the ideal topic to discuss with the affable Bell, who has built a remarkably successful
I'm sure he would have managed a wry smile at the thoughts of sipping Champagne as part of a special lifestyle regime to stave off heart problems.
He would also be the first to agree that
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So 13 years ago, Bell set out on his mission to find wines that could fill a gap in the market for those with health-conscious lifestyles, and particularly with an eye on their sugar, carb, and calorie intake.
DrinkWell's products are crafted using innovative harvesting and fermentation techniques, and that means naturally lower sugar, and calorie content.
This can certainly benefit not only those looking to maintain a healthy weight, but also individuals with dietary considerations such as diabetes or following a specific diet.
Bell stressed: 'Most low-or no-alcohol drinks are marketed as a healthy option, but they can actually be full of additives, flavourings and with huge increases in sugars to try and replicate a familiar taste.
'This innovative harvesting and wine-making process naturally reduces the calories while ensuring the taste is just as good as the full-calorie alternative.'
TASTE TEST
I put a small selection of DrinkWell's wines through the taste test this week (with positive results) and four of them are reviewed below.
Irish wine lovers can now explore their offerings through single bottles on their special,
MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN
Some 50,000 plus regular customers in the UK have made the website across the water one of the most popular among imbibers looking for healthier options.
All products on their websites displays alcohol content (ABV), calories, sugars and carbs so that customers can make considered choices.
And such is DrinkWell's confidence in the quality of their wines that they will deliver for FREE, directly to your door. Definitely worth a punt.
DrinkWell's specially created range called Traces is available in
Here are my notes on the four wines I tasted this week.
Traces Prosecco Limited Edition 2024 (ABV 11%
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Currently €22.99
Grape: Glera
I CAN usually take or leave Prosecco. They are either too lean, or plain bland.
This is a lovely tipple, with a light lemon hue when poured, and a nose predominantly of pears, but with hints of white flowers and red apples.
Stone fruit, pear and melon are all detectable on a suitably dry palate that has good acidity and length.
Enjoy with:
Light summer lunch dishes.
Star rating:
****
Southern Lights Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (ABV 13%)
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Currently €15
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
A SUPER Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc… at a very pleasing price, too!
The aromatics of cut grass and asparagus are the Kiwi giveaway of this gluggable white, with its light lemon colour.
The tingling and zippy palate has great balance, delivers delightful citrus and tropical flavours, with excellent acidity and a streak of minerality.
Enjoy with
: Pan-fried sole.
Star rating:
****
Saint Louis de Provence Coteaux Varois en Provence 2023 (ABV 13%)
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Currently €18.99
Grapes: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah
A BONE dry and delicious Rosé from one of Provence's lesser known appellations.
It has a vibrant, pale salmon pink colour when poured, with seductive aromatics of rose petals, strawberries and raspberries.
The crisp and dry palate, has some complexity, a wonderfully refreshing tang, with nice strawberry, cranberry and citrus notes.
Very pleasurable finish.
Enjoy with:
Fresh summer salads.
Star rating:
****
Running Duck Organic Shiraz 2023 (ABV 12.5%)
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Currently €14.99
Grape: Shiraz
FROM South Africa's Western Cape comes this medium-bodied, fruit-forward red, with a little bite.
Deep garnet in the glass, it has ripe black fruit aromas (plum and blackberries) along with some spice.
The palate is well balanced, with blackcurrant, cherry, black pepper, chocolate and spice notes.
The tannins are yielding, and the medium length is quite satisfying.
Enjoy with:
Great BBQ wine, with your favourite steak.
Star rating:
***
BARGAIN BOTTLE
OUR promise is to bring Irish Sun wine lovers a taste-tested wine each weekend for under a tenner.
The cost of glass, packaging, labelling and transport have sky-rocketed in recent years.
So, finding excellent value tipples is getting harder - but we have sourced some great wines and will bring you a super sipper recommendation every weekend.
Wildflower Pinot Noir 2022 (ABV 12.5%)
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Currently just €8.95 @ O'Briens Wine
Grape: Pinot Noir
DELICIOUS, medium-bodied Pinot Noir from Romania – and at under a tenner, genuinely terrific value for money.
A pale ruby in colour, with raspberry, cherry, and strawberry notes on the nose.
It has a very approachable, refreshing smooth palate that is light, fruit-driven, with hints of soft red berry fruits, a wisp of oak, velvety tannins and a well-rounded finish.
Enjoy with:
Chicken breast fried in butter.
Star rating:
****
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