Frequently Asked Questions
YOU CAN FIND SOME OF THE ANSWERS
TO YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
What do NZ Lighter wines taste like?
Our wines taste very similar to the premium-quality New Zealand wines you already enjoy, with the same bright and fresh flavours and a range of varieties, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rosé – and even Pinot Noir. Unlike regular-strength wines, however, they’re as much as 30% lower in alcohol. That means you can choose to moderate your alcohol consumption without giving up what New Zealand wine is famous for – great flavour and premium quality.
What do you mean by “lighter in alcohol”?
Our wines typically contain less than 10% alcohol by volume (ABV) but more than 8.5% – that’s the minimum amount of alcohol for a product to legally be called “wine” in most countries. Up to 30% lower in alcohol, lighter wine is well suited to occasions when you may want to moderate your consumption of alcohol.
What do you mean by “naturally lighter in alcohol”?
New Zealand wines are renowned for their intensity of flavour and aroma. That vibrancy reflects the natural environment of soil and climate where the vines are grown. All NZ Lighter wines rely on natural and sustainable viticulture techniques, including site selection, canopy management and harvest options. None of our wines are produced exclusively by removing alcohol through mechanical means.
Why is New Zealand ideally located to produce lighter-in-alcohol wines?
Located deep in the southern hemisphere and with 15,000 km of coastline, New Zealand vineyards typically enjoy a cool climate with a maritime influence, meaning our grape varieties can ripen slowly to produce full-flavoured wines with less alcohol.
What does slow-ripened mean?
All New Zealand vineyards experience temperate weather conditions that are neither very hot nor very cold. This, along with being close to sea level (and the coastline), results in a ripening process for the grapes that is slower than in many other winegrowing regions. Our winemakers understand how these factors can influence sugar accumulation in grapes and enhance the development and retention of aromatics, flavour and vibrancy – even at the lower alcohol levels found in NZ Lighter wines.
Are lighter-in-alcohol wines growing in popularity?
Yes, an increasing proportion of premium wine drinkers are interested in lighter-in-alcohol wines that suit their changing lifestyle choices. This includes choosing to moderate alcohol consumption during social occasions. As a result, demand for lighter Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Rosé in particular is growing worldwide.
What is a standard drink?
A 150 ml glass of one of our lighter wines, with 9.5% alcohol by volume, equals 1.1 standard drinks. This compares to 1.5 standard drinks for the same-sized pour when a wine contains 13% alcohol by volume.*
You can find out more about what constitutes a “standard drink” for a range of beer, wine and spirits in New Zealand by using the handy calculator on the Cheers website.
*Source Cheers NZ
Are these wines suitable for consumers under the legal drinking age?
No. Although they are lighter in alcohol, they are not alcohol free. As such, these products are only for those above the legal drinking age.
Are NZ Lighter wines produced sustainably?
Yes. 98% of the New Zealand national vineyard is certified under Sustainable Winegrowing NZ (SWNZ). You can read more about what sustainability means to the New Zealand wine industry by downloading NZ Winegrowers Sustainability Report 2016.
How do I find out more?
Explore the rest of the NZ Lighter wine website including “Our Range” of wines and “Where to Buy”. If you need to know more, we’re always happy to talk about the NZ Lighter wines initiative. Just go to our Contact page to get started.
