It’s important to be mindful of how much alcohol is in your drink when you have a relaxing drink after work. You may be sensitive to the effects of alcohol, or prefer to drink wine for its taste rather than its alcohol content. If this is the case, there is a good chance that you have wondered which wines have the highest or lowest percentage of alcohol in them.

Determining Alcohol Percentage

It is important to understand how to measure the alcohol percentage of wine before you can identify which wines have a higher or lower alcohol percentage. The alcohol content (also known as ABV) of a beverage is determined by the volume (also known as the concentration of ethanol per 100 milliliters) of the beverage. 

You can get drunk much faster by drinking an alcoholic beverage such as vodka than by drinking a can of light beer. It will be easier for you to determine whether you will need to refill your wine glass if you know the amount of alcohol contained in the glass.

Wines with the Highest Alcohol Percentage

It is important to know that wines with high alcohol levels (not sparkling wines) usually start at 14 percent and can reach up to 20 percent in rare cases. The best wine to purchase is Zinfandels, Sherry, and Syrahs, especially if they are fortified. 

In other words, the wine was supplemented with alcohol that could not be obtained through fermentation and cultivation. If you’re a purist, you can rest assured that the additional alcohol does not have any flavor to it. Additionally, California and Chilean Chardonnay have high alcohol contents.

Wines With the Lowest Alcohol Percentage

In terms of alcohol content, Moscato (both still and fizzy) is at the lower end of the range. You can expect some bottles to reach up to 9% ABV, but don’t expect them to go much beyond 4% or 5% ABV. In general, lighter white wines tend to follow closely behind, such as Germany’s Grüner Veltliner and Italy’s Pinot Grigio.

There is a reason why rosé wine is often marketed as a cute, casual wine, even though the price tag is not as low as that of sparkling wine. There is no denying that this wine is not quite as watered down as your typical Moscato, but it tends to fall below those that are stronger.

Wines Average Alcohol Content

Unlike many other alcohol options wine is a middle ground in regard to its average and overall alcohol content. Wine tends to waver between 11% to 12% ABV. This means in general, a wine has a similar ABV to a bottle of lite beer or a fruity spirit. If you adore wine but want to be ABV conscious, then rest assured that wine is not as high in ABV as many other drink options. In fact, it is considered a low-middle-of-the-road beverage when it comes to ABV.

Pop a Bottle and Enjoy

Now that you know about the different wines and their alcohol contents, it is time to grab your favorite bottle and enjoy a drink. When consumed in moderation, wine can be a delicious treat. It can also enhance the overall flavor of a meal. Wine is not hard liquor, but it should still be consumed responsibly.