Every wine – be it red or white, still or sparkling – is the unique product of an individual recipe and set of processes, so while it’s true to say that wine contains alcohol, such a statement is as vague as saying all wine contains grapes. There’s a great deal more to it than that. Here, we outline the key facts around alcohol in wine, and explore what impact it has on the finished product.
How is wine made alcoholic? Alcoholic fermentation occurs when yeast convert complex sugars into cellular energy, producing alcohol, carbon dioxide and heat. In simple terms, yeast eat the sugar in grapes and turn it into booze!
How is alcohol in wine measured?
Like all alcoholic drinks, alcohol levels in wine are denoted by an ‘ABV’ figure – ‘alcohol by volume’. This is a standard measure of how much alcohol (ethanol) there is within a given volume of the drink, in percentage terms. More specifically, it’s the number of millilitres of pure alcohol present in 100ml of beverage.
What alcohol levels are typical in each varietal?
Generally speaking, a wine can be sorted into one of four groups based on its alcohol levels. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of the impact alcohol can have on a wine’s flavour profile. Higher alcohol wines tend to taste bolder and oilier, while lower-alcohol wines feel lighter. However, it’s worth noting that everyone tastes alcohol differently, and a lot of our perception of alcohol is actually influenced by genetics.
Low alcohol wines – under 12.5% ABV Italian Asti and Prosecco, Muscadet, German Riesling, Portuguese Vinho Verde, Californian White Zinfandel.
Moderately low wines – 12.5 – 13.5% ABV French Champagne, Spanish Cava, red and white Bordeaux, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Beaujolais, Spanish Rioja.
High alcohol wines – 13.5% – 14.5% ABV Australian Chardonnay, Californian Viognier, South African Chenin Blanc, Argentine Malbec, Chilean Merlot, Italian Barolo.
Very high alcohol wines – over 14.5% Californian Petite Syrah and Zinfandel, plus fortified wines such as Portuguese Madeira, Spanish Sherry and French Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.
How does alcohol make you drunk? – Judy Grisel
FAQ
How does wine become alcoholic?
How is alcohol determined in wine?
What causes high alcohol in wine?
Is wine just fermented grape juice?
How does alcohol affect wine?
Alcohol levels in wine are directly correlated with the amount of sugar that developed in the grapes at harvest time: the higher the sugar levels, the higher the potential alcohol. Higher sugar levels don’t mean that higher-alcohol wines are sweeter, though sometimes this is the case.
Why are many people addicted to smoking and wine?
With rise in average stress levels in population, people are resorting to smoking and wine for a sense of temporary relief from the same. Drinking alcohol stimulates the release of dopamine and endorphins within the brain. These are chemicals that produce feelings of pleasure and satisfaction and tend act as a natural painkiller. Similarly, cigarettes, are designed to deliver nicotine, a stimulant, to the brain within seconds, making it easier to become dependent on nicotine and more difficult to quit.
Is there alcohol in wine?
Just like in beer, vodka, whisky, or other spirits, there is alcohol in wine. While many people enjoy its effect, they do not know that it occurs naturally during the winemaking process. And even more important, it serves various crucial purposes. Without alcohol, wine would not be the same.
What causes high alcohol content in wine today?
Climate change can partially be blamed for the high alcohol content in wines today. The hot climate heats up the fruits thus increasing the levels of sugars in them which is later converted to alcohol.