Low-Alcohol Wine: The Best Bottles Under 12% (and NA Options for Dry January)
Buying Guides ¡ Drink lighter
The best low-alcohol wines are naturally light styles, not de-alcoholized ones: German Riesling (often 7.5 to 11%), Moscato d'Asti (about 5%), pÊt-nat and light sparkling wines (10 to 12%), Vinho Verde, and cool-climate whites and reds under 12%. They're made from grapes picked earlier or fermented with some sugar left, so they keep all their flavor with a third less alcohol than a 14.5% red.
Whether you're doing a lighter January, drinking at lunch, or just want a second glass without the fog, these are the styles and bottles we recommend.
Lighter bottles we love
What counts as a low-alcohol wine?
Most table wine sits between 12.5 and 14.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), and many California and Australian reds run higher. Anything under about 12% is lighter than average; under 10% is genuinely low. "Non-alcoholic" wine in the US must be under 0.5% and is made by removing alcohol from finished wine.
| Style | Typical ABV | Taste |
|---|---|---|
| Moscato d'Asti | 5â6% | Sweet, gently fizzy, peach and orange blossom |
| German Riesling Kabinett | 7.5â10% | Off-dry, racy, green apple and slate |
| Dry German and Austrian whites | 10.5â12% | Crisp, citrus, mineral |
| Vinho Verde, Txakoli, Muscadet | 9â12% | Zesty, saline, often lightly spritzy |
| PÊt-nat and light sparkling | 10â12% | Fresh fruit, soft bubbles |
| Light reds (cool-climate Gamay, Pinot, Cinsault) | 11â12.5% | Juicy red fruit, great chilled |
How is wine made lower in alcohol?
Alcohol comes from grape sugar. Winemakers get lighter wines in three natural ways: growing grapes in cooler places, picking earlier while acidity is high and sugar lower, or stopping fermentation before all the sugar is converted (as in Moscato d'Asti and many Rieslings, which is why they taste a little sweet). Dry styles under 11% usually come from cool regions such as Germany's Mosel and Nahe or Austria.
How do you find low-alcohol wine on the label?
Check the ABV on the label; US labels can vary by up to 1.5% for wines under 14%, so treat it as a guide. Then look for cool-climate regions, the words Kabinett or Spätlese on German Riesling, "frizzante" or pÊt-nat, and producers who talk about early picking. Our product pages list ABV for most bottles.
What about non-alcoholic options for Dry January?
De-alcoholized wines have improved, but most still taste thinner than real wine, especially reds. The best non-alcoholic sparkling wines are the most convincing. If you're taking a full month off, non-alcoholic craft beer is often more satisfying, and our non-alcoholic collection has options. If you're cutting back rather than quitting, a 5 to 10% wine drunk slowly with food is a good middle path.
Is low-alcohol wine better for you?
Less alcohol per glass means less alcohol overall, which is the main health variable in wine. Lighter wines are also less likely to leave you with a headache; see wines less likely to give you a headache. Sweeter low-alcohol styles contain more sugar, so dry Riesling or pÊt-nat are better picks if sugar matters to you.
FAQ
What wine has the lowest alcohol?
Moscato d'Asti, at about 5% ABV, is one of the lowest-alcohol wines. German Riesling Kabinett usually sits between 7.5 and 10%.
What is a good low-alcohol dry wine?
Dry German or Austrian Riesling, Muscadet, Vinho Verde and many pÊt-nats are dry and between 10 and 12% alcohol.
Is 12% alcohol a lot for wine?
No. 12% is on the lighter side. Most table wines are 12.5 to 14.5%, and some ripe reds reach 15% or more.
Are non-alcoholic wines any good?
Non-alcoholic sparkling wines are the most convincing. Still de-alcoholized reds often taste thin. A naturally low-alcohol wine is a good compromise.
Lighter wine, full flavor. Check the ABV and pour a little less. Shop white wine â
Want bottles like these picked for you every month? Join the Harvest Wine Club â
Header photo: Corina Rainer on Unsplash
Wine Buying Guides
