If consumer demand controls the market, then the wine industry may be learning a lesson.
There are a lot of wine drinkers out there who are looking for less alcohol in their wines. Higher and higher alcohol has been a trend among some American wineries.
Some of the alcohol content is controlled by the grape — pinot grigio tends to have less, for example. Some content is about the date the grape is picked — the earlier the pick, the more acid and less alcohol. Some of the alcohol percentage is controlled by the climate — cooler is better for low alcohol.
My wine-tasting group compared five white wines with an alcohol percentage of 13 percent or lower. (In the United States, the percentage must be on the label.) We found the quality of the wine didn’t need a high percentage to be good.
By FRANK SUTHERLAND • GANNETT • August 22, 2010