Do you know how much alcohol is in your glass of Prosecco? While it might not be the first thing you think about when pouring a glass, alcohol levels play a large role in the overall drinking experience.
How much sugar is in Wine?
For wine, the level of alcohol has a direct correlation with how much sugar has been developed in the grapes once it comes time for harvest. A higher sugar level means higher alcohol content, and this will indicate a higher calorie count as well.
High Alcohol Wines doesn't mean Sweet Wine
But don’t let this confuse you. This does not necessarily mean that high-alcohol wine is always going to taste sweeter because it has more sugar. In some cases, it’s the opposite. If the grapes have been left to develop a high sugar content, there is more sugar for the yeast to “eat” and convert into alcohol during the fermentation process, which means the sugar turned into alcohol and no longer will possess all of its sweetness.
There are some producers that cut off the fermentation process before the grapes have fully developed, so there will not be as much sugar to turn into alcohol, leaving them with a lower ABV. These wines, however, might not be as palatable at this point, and the winemakers (or often, big brand manufacturers) will add sugar, sweeteners and other additives to enhance the flavor without adding to the alcohol content.
What does ABV Stand For?
The percentage of alcohol will always be very clearly labeled on the bottle — and this is not just true for Prosecco and other types of wine; this is true for every kind of alcoholic beverage. You will see it written out as “% alc. by volume” or ABV. What this means is that whatever that number percentage is, that is how much of the drink is pure alcohol.
For example, SYLTBAR Premium Prosecco and Sparkling Rosé are both 11.5% ABV, which means that 11.5% of the 750 ml bottle is alcohol. Since SYLTBAR never adds any chemicals or preservatives to its wine, that alcohol is pure alcohol that occurs naturally during our producer’s double fermentation process, and the rest of the juice is simply grapes in their natural form.
Mr and Mrs SYLTBAR Alcohol Content
Wine is all over the board when it comes to alcohol percentages. It depends a lot on the style of wine and grapes used, the environment in which those grapes are grown for harvest, and the fermentation process. Prosecco is among those with the lowest amount of alcohol by volume. Most Proseccos will have around 11% ABV. SYLTBAR has 11.5% because our producers use a different method of production which requires a longer fermentation process. This longer fermentation also means that only a very small amount of sugar is needed. Our producer San Simone also avoids using yeast.This is why SYLTBAR’s sugar and glucose level is so much lower than other Prosecco and sparkling wines.
Lower Alcohol Wine = Lower Sugar Content = Lower Sugar
Lower alcohol not only suggests that there is a lower sugar content, but also lower calories and many times, it results in an easier, more smooth drinking experience. Big, bold red wines with high ABV often need to be paired with food for a more enjoyable experience, but Prosecco is light and refreshing enough to be drunk on its own.
When looking at Prosecco alcohol percentage compared to other sparkling wines, it is the lowest of the bunch. French Champagne and Spanish Cava typically come in at around 12.5-13.5%. Like we said earlier, higher alcohol level also means higher calories and sugar content. A typical 6 ounce glass of Champagne is around 120-140 calories, while a 6 ounce glass of Mr is only 49!
Prosecco is always the best low-alcohol choice when you are in the mood for something bubbly, and SYLTBAR is always the best low-alcohol choice when you are also in the mood for something that is super low in calories, with zero added sugars or sulfites.
Order Low Alcohol Prosecco Online
Shop for low alcohol prosecco in our online store, or look for retailers in your area that carry our wine.
