The Older the Grapes, the Sweeter the Wine

Low alcohol wines are becoming scarce. What’s up? Te temperature! Scorching heat waves and other climatedriven calamities have ruined harvests in Europe, North America, Australia and elsewhere. Parts of Bordeaux are burning, Chile continues to battle devastating wine country fres and it seems California fghts fres in vineyards on a daily basis.

Red wines produced in Bordeaux, Tuscany, Piedmont and California had higher alcohol between 2010 and 2019 than registered in the 1990s. Climate change is the catalyst. Winemakers are trying to harness the alcohol through the timing of the harvest. Te longer the grapes hang on the vines, the more intense the sugar and, hence, the alcohol level. But, winemakers explain, you cannot control the alcohol by simply picking grapes earlier. For example, if you harvest cabernet sauvignon grapes early to achieve a lower alcohol content, you risk producing a tart wine with heavier vegetal favors such as green pepper.

ABV or ALC, indicates alcohol by volume. Te amount of alcohol in a container is shown as a percentage of the overall volume of the drink. And don’t think you can lower the ABV by aging the bottle! ABV is not afected by age as the sugars have already converted to alcohol. But the taste of the alcohol may become smoother and more understated giving the impression that the volume has been reduced. Te percentage of alcohol in a wine bottle is posted on the label, usually marked ALC.

Wines with higher alcohol levels are rounder and richer in texture ofering deeper and more concentrated favors and ofen seem sweeter to the palate. Some wineries aim for this style as these higher alcohol wines tend to score higher points from the critics. Tat said, many wineries, particularly mass produced nationwide brands actually aim for this style! But if this is not the style you want, we can help!

By Gina Trippi

Metro Wines has assembled a list of low alcohol wines and can direct you to bottles from around the world to meet your menu or event.

Alois Lageder Schiava is 11.5% alcohol. Tis bottle, due to its versatility and popularity, has been a Tanksgiving tradition at Metro Wines. Schiava is a grape variety native to Trentino-Alto Adige, in northern Italy. Historically known for producing light-bodied and lighter-colored wines, the grape is light and tart with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, rose, lemon and smoke and boasts a spicy black pepper backbone that helps it pair nicely with heavier and spicier foods, even Tai Chili Basil!

Also from Alois Lageder is an organic Pinot Grigio at 12% alcohol. Brilliant straw yellow with a green shimmer in the glass. Te nose has pronounced and expressive aromas with fowery and somewhat spicy notes. And the palate presents rich favors with a slight smokiness and a strong, fresh fnish.

An all around good choice for summer, low alcohol wines have a lower calorie count and tend to pair better with food!

Metro Wines Asheville

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“Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service” 828-575-9525 | metrowinesasheville.com

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Happy Summer Solstice

The summer solstice, also known as midsummer, is a yearly phenomenon that marks the ofcial start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the longest day of the year and the shortest night, where the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. With a fascinating history and cultural signifcance, the summer solstice has been celebrated for thousands of years around the world.

In ancient times, the summer solstice was a signifcant event marking the halfway point of the year. It was considered a time to celebrate the growth of crops and honor the sun as a source of fertility and warmth. Te ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Mayans all recognized this day, constructing impressive monuments and temples to commemorate it.

To this day, cultures around the world continue to celebrate the summer solstice. For example, in Scandinavia, it is known as Midsummer, a time of festivity, dancing, and bonfres. It is said that on this particular day, the earth’s boundaries between our world and the supernatural world become blurred, allowing for spirits to come and go freely.

Another fun fact about the summer solstice is that Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in England, is beautifully aligned to the summer solstice sunrise. Te giant stones, weighing around 25 tons each, stand in a circle that perfectly frames the rising sun on this day. People gather from around the world to witness this magical sunrise, where they welcome the new season with music, food, and festivity.

Besides myth and folklore, the summer solstice also has a scientifc signifcance. It marks the exact moment when the Earth’s north pole is tilted towards the sun at its maximum angle, giving us the longest day of the year with up to 24 hours of daylight in some regions.

Tis tilt of Earth’s axis also causes the phenomena of the “midnight sun’’ in high-latitude areas, such as the Arctic Circle. Tere, the sun never sets below the horizon, and people experience unbroken daylight for 24 hours on the summer solstice instead of the usual 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

Te summer solstice occurs around the 20th June every year, although it is subject to slight variations depending on the Earth’s orbit. Tis year it falls on June 21 to be specifc. It is fascinating to note that this position of the Earth during the solstice causes the sun to appear at its highest point in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere and its lowest point in the Southern Hemisphere.

Finally, the summer solstice has also played a signifcant role in modern-day culture. Te day is ofen considered a time for spiritual refection, meditation, and renewal. It is also celebrated by many as International Day of Yoga, a global event that encourages people worldwide to embrace the practice of yoga and celebrate its benefts for the body and the mind.

In conclusion, the summer solstice is a unique and exciting phenomenon celebrated for its cultural and historical signifcance. Today, people across the world gather to celebrate the longest day of the year and welcome the new summer season with festivities, music, and spiritual refection. With its blend of myth, science, and culture, the summer solstice ofers us a time to connect with nature and celebrate the beauty and diversity of our planet.