The 5 Best New Low-Sugar Wines on Shelves
Perhaps you noticed that a handful of celebrities have released their own low-sugar wines this summer. (Yes, we're looking at you, Nicki Minaj!) Now that beloved Napa wineries are also beginning to drop their own no-added-sugar versions of favorite varietals, it seems like lighter wines are becoming more than just a fad.
Not only are zero-sugar and lower-sugar wines better for your waistline, some can also lessen the likelihood of a hangover and eliminate that sugar-sick feeling that your favorite vino might give you, according to Miranda Hammer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. (Related: One Major Side Effect of Drinking Alcohol on an Empty Stomach, Dietitian Says)
"The primary reason for a hangover from wine is linked to dehydration and overindulgence," Hammer says. "Some wines also contain additives . . . and [added sugar], which could lead to feeling hungover and a headache."
Plus, research tells us that lower sugar often doesn't mean lower alcohol. Some wine drinkers find sipping these drinks delivers the same relaxed enjoyment, minus some of the undesirable side effects of regular wine. Browse our list of the five best new low-sugar or zero-sugar wines on shelves, then sign up for the Eat This, Not That! newsletter for food news you can use.
UN'SWEET
Shocked that there were so few low-sugar wines available on the market, Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles' Tracy Tutor decided to create UN'SWEET zero-sugar wines from California grapes (natch).
"I wanted to create a wine where consumers do not have to be concerned about extra sugar or unnecessary additives, without compromising the taste," the Bravo star tells Eat This, Not That!.
Are zero-sugar wines more than a fad? Tutor believes they're here to stay: "This is not another dieting product. It is about health and being transparent about what we put in our products."
Available in Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon, UN'SWEET says its wines are externally lab tested to be zero-sugar, 100% natural, and gluten-free, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 14%.
Nicki Minaj MYX Light
Nicki Minaj teamed with MYX Beverage to create MYX Light Chardonnay (with notes of apple, lemon, and Romagna pear) and MYX Light Rosé from Barbera grapes (with hints of strawberry, raspberry, and citrus). Crafted in Italy (because, of course), Minaj's MYX Light wines are 5% ABV.
Kim Crawford Illuminate
Kim Crawford's Illuminate—the brand name for the New Zealand vineyard's slimmed-down Rosé and iconic Sauvignon Blanc—hit local Target stores across the country this week. With 7% ABV, the lower-sugar take on Kim Crawford's beloved Sauvi B is reportedly gaining a following from stars like Katherine Schwarzenegger and model Nina Agdal.
Liquid Light Sauvignon Blanc
Available in Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé, one serving of Liquid Light is 12% ABV and contains less than 1 gram of sugar. According to a rep, this Washington state winery prides itself on offering "complete transparency when it comes to ingredients" and delivers wine with notes of citrus, orchard, and tropical fruits. Says dietitian Hammer of Liquid Light's wines, "I can really enjoy them, as opposed to just 'drinking wine.'"
Forever Young
We all know Bethenny Frankel as the original creator of the ready-to-drink Skinnygirl margarita, which she previously said "was the fastest-growing liquor brand in history, at the time." In June, Frankel announced the launch of her new wine brand, the French-sourced Forever Young. Learn more about the announcement in Bethenny Frankel's 5 Favorite Weight Loss Foods.
Read more:
- Secrets for Walking Your Way to a Lean Body After 40
- One Major Side Effect of Giving Up Dessert, Says Science
- The Worst Tequila Mistake You Can Make, Dietitian Says
- This Is the Country That Drinks the Most Wine, Data Says
- What a Hangover Does to Your Body, According to Doctors
