A new year has arrived, which means new resolutions and goals for many. If keeping an eye on your sugar intake is on your to-do list this January, for whatever reason, knowing what options are out there will certainly help.
To find out, I recently took a trip to my local LCBO to pick up some low-sugar wines and coolers for a taste test.
Until now, I thought all wine was full of sugar, but LCBO has plenty of wines with fewer than five grams of sugar per litre. It turns out that the key to finding a low-sugar wine is to look for regions with cool climates and high altitudes. The grapes that grow under these conditions are typically lower in sugar, which results in lower-sugar wine.
To make it easier to choose, LCBO's shelf tags in-store and online indicate how many grams of sugar per litre is in each wine and how sweet it tastes: "XD" stands for extra dry, "D" for dry, "M" for medium, "MS" for medium sweet, and "S" for sweet.
As for coolers, simplicity is key. Walk past the ones with a malt base or added sugar, colour and flavour, and opt instead for those that combine a spirit with still or sparkling water and a splash of flavour.
Seven low-sugar wines and coolers from LCBO. Elisha Barry | Narcity Media
In the end, I picked up two red wines, a sparkling rosé, a white wine, a hard seltzer variety pack and a couple of vodka sodas. I sampled them over a week with a fellow taste tester (and helpful photographer), and we're still making our way through the selection at a responsible pace.
While these seven wines and coolers are just a drop in the ocean of no- and low-sugar options at LCBO, they'll give you a taste of what you could be savouring as you make your resolutions a reality this year.
Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon
Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignons are my red wine of choice, so I was super excited to try this Californian drop. Bottled with a rustic and understated label design, the Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon itself is a deep-red colour with a rich, complex aroma.
While still being a full-bodied red, it wasn't as sweet or as intense as I'm used to. Each sip was rich, with hints of chocolate and black fruit plus herbal and cedar notes. This is a good choice if you're looking to cut down on sugar but still want something that'll stand up to red meat or a charcuterie board.
Price: $25.95
Sugar: 4 grams per litre
Bouchard Ainé et Fils Beaujolais Supérieur
Bouchard Ainé et Fils Beaujolais Supérieur.
It's hard to go wrong with an easy-drinking, mellow red from a maker with 200 years in the business. With its classic label and French name, Bouchard Ainé et Fils Beaujolais Supérieur is a lovely dinner party drop. The wine itself is a vivid red colour, with an aroma of red fruits.
I loved the dry, fresh taste of this Beaujolais, and there was the perfect amount of sweetness. This low-sugar option is a solid choice for those who want a light and fruit-forward red wine that's not overly sweet and pairs well with cheese.
Price: $17.95
Sugar: 2 grams per litre
Bask Lightly Sparkling Rosé
Bask Lightly Sparkling Rosé.
With its sleek, simple and modern design, this bottle caught my eye right away, and the wine itself is a darling pale pink with a sweet, fruity aroma. According to its shelf tag, this rosé has 2 grams of sugar per litre (about 1.5 grams per bottle), which is much less than a standard Champagne brut.
When served chilled, Bask Lightly Sparkling Rosé is delicate and bubbly. Dry and fruity with a hint of sweetness, it's ideal for sharing with your friends at brunch or at a celebration that needs a touch of class.
Price: $14.95
Sugar: 2 grams per litre
Matua Sauvignon Blanc Hawke's Bay
Matua Sauvignon Blanc Hawke's Bay.
A New Zealand wine, Matua Sauvignon Blanc is a pale straw colour and has a vibrant, citrusy aroma. Plus, there's a snowflake on the label that turns blue when it's chilled and ready to drink.
Sauvignon Blancs are known for being crisp and citrusy, and this one was no exception. I paired mine with a yummy chicken main, and it brought the flavours out nicely with each sip. Plus, the low sugar content allows the wine's natural acidity to shine. I can recommend adding an ice cube, even though I know that's controversial!
Price: $17.25
Sugar: 3 grams per litre
Nütrl Grapefruit Vodka Soda
Nütrl Grapefruit Vodka Soda.
With the wines taken care of, it's time to talk about coolers, and Nütrl lives up to its name. Inside the sleek, minimalist can, the cooler itself is clear and bubbly, with a subtle grapefruit aroma. It's just sparkling water, vodka and natural flavour — no sneaky extras.
It's nice and sparkling with a hint of authentic grapefruit flavour and a smooth vodka finish that doesn't overpower. It tastes like a vodka soda you'd get at a bar and is a tasty low-sugar option for those seeking a light and enjoyable cocktail without excessive sweetness.
Price: $3.30 per canCottage Springs Vodka Soda Ontario Peach
Cottage Springs Vodka Soda Ontario Peach.
Cottage Springs Vodka Soda Ontario Peach does what it says on the label. The cute logo reminded me of cottage country and lazy summer days, and the sweet peachy aroma made my mouth water.
The flavour is also spot on, with a genuine taste that's not overly sweet. It's like biting into a fresh, juicy Ontario peach. The vodka-soda combination provides a crisp finish, making it a satisfying choice for those who want a well-balanced beverage with zero grams of sugar.
Price: $2.95 per canVizzy Hard Seltzer Strawberry Watermelon
Vizzy Hard Seltzer Strawberry Watermelon
The Vizzy Signature Variety Pack brings you four fruity hard seltzer flavours: Blackberry Lemon, Papaya Passionfruit, Raspberry Tangerine and Strawberry Watermelon. The cans feature fun illustrations of the fruit mash-up you're about to enjoy, and the seltzer itself is straw coloured and delightfully fizzy.
I opted for Strawberry Watermelon, which has a strong aroma that made me worry it would be too intense, but it actually has a light, fruity flavour that doesn't overwhelm. There was a nice balance between the tartness of strawberry and the sweetness of watermelon for a drink that's both enjoyable and light on sugar. I'm excited to sample the other flavours.
Price: $28.95 for a 12-pack
Nütrl Grapefruit Vodka Soda and Vizzy Hard Seltzer Strawberry Watermelon.Elisha Barry | Narcity Media
I always thought that cutting back on sugar would come at the cost of flavour, so I was surprised and impressed by the range of low-sugar wines and coolers available at LCBO. The wines were just as flavourful and full-bodied as I'm used to, and the coolers were crisp and fruity without tasting like candy.
Whether you love white, red, rosé or sparkling wine, or you're more of a fan of mixed drinks, the LCBO has a wide selection (over 1,000) of lighter options to suit every palate.
Cheers to a great new year!
To learn more about LCBO's selection of low-sugar drinks, check out their website.
Narcity does not condone the overconsumption of alcohol. If you're going to drink alcohol, please do so responsibly and only if you're of legal age.
Although products were provided for free in this review, the author's opinions are genuine and do not reflect the views of Narcity Media.