(2026) In terms of a genuine wine-like experience, the booming sector of 0% abv, alcohol-removed 'wines' are a complete disaster; none of the taste anything like wine. Now there's a growing sector of 'mid-strength' wines that come in between 5% and 9% abv and have a lower calorific value. Though viticultural and winemaking decisions can keep alcohol in check, most of these use technology to remove alcohol from a full-strength base wine. At 6% abv this cannot legally be labelled as wine because, it is below the 8.5% threshhold. In style it falls mid-way between one of the thin, non-descript, 0% efforts and an inexpensive, very light Merlot. Unfortunately it's a bit closer to the former; certainly the words on the back label like 'Smooth' and 'Velvety' are complete fantasy. What it does have going for it is that it is dry, has a bit of wine-like character, and reasonable balance. It might wash down a pizza easily enough, but there we have the elephant in the room: its price of £15.99. The additional processing needed will add to cost, and I don't wish to put a new wine enterprise down, but I just cannot square the experience with the price. I am still waiting for a properly recommendable example of the genre. Watch the
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