Healthy Wine Spritzer: Red and White Recipes

If you’re trying to go easy on drinking this month, you’re not alone. In 2020, 25% of those surveyed by YouGov said they resolved to either stop drinking alcohol (10%) or drink less alcohol (15%). Nearly half also said that they planned to eat better, exercise more, or spend less money – all New Year’s resolutions that tend to come to fruition when we drink less.

Given the nature of our business, we don’t want you to stop drinking. However, we do support making healthy wine choices, drinking in moderation, and enjoying every single sip.

The beauty of Coravin is that our classic wine preservation systems are designed to help you enjoy your wines for longer, allowing you to pour wine without pulling the cork, so every glass tastes like first – even years later. Our Pivot product is great for those of you who enjoy a glass nightly with dinner – a habit that could do your body some good.

4 Ways to make healthy wine choices

If your top concern going into the near year is to make healthy wine choices, there are a few things to look for.

1. Antioxidant content

Firstly, red wines have more antioxidants than other varieties because nutrient-rich grape skins aren’t removed during fermentation. After red, orange, and rosé are next on the “healthy” list. For these varieties, the skin contact time is less but some antioxidants still sneak their way in.

2. Go organic

If you have the means, opt for organic or local produce when possible – the same goes for wine. Organic wine is made from grapes that have been grown without the use of artificial or synthetic chemicals like herbicides and pesticides. Buying local wines supports your nearby community and leaves a smaller footprint on the earth since they don’t need to travel far to get to you.

3. Watch for sulfites

Sulfites help preserve the freshness of wine and slow the chemical reactions (i.e. bacteria and yeast growth) which cause a wine to go bad. Sulfites are also present in many processed foods like French fries, dried fruit, pickles, cheese, and cured meats. So why all the buzz about sulfites? Some individuals have sulfite sensitivities which can cause bloating and inflammation. The only way to know how your body reacts to sulfites is by observing how you feel after a night of wine-drinking or cheese-eating.

Want to try sulfite-free wine, go red and stay local.

4. Calories in wine

Speaking of rosés, they typically have fewer calories than red. Other low-calorie wine options include champagne and prosecco – bot coming in at under 100 calories per glass.

Low-calorie wine spritzers

Another way to reduce the calories in your glass of wine is to mix it with carbonated water like a seltzer. Below you’ll find a red wine spritzer recipe and white wine spritzer recipe. Both include fresh or frozen fruit for extra sweetness and snacking.

Red wine spritzer

When it comes to choosing the perfect red wine spritzer, dryer wines like Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir are great.

Ingredients

3-4 fresh blackberries, muddled
2 oz. dry red
3-4 oz. seltzer water
2-3 fresh mint leaves (optional)

Directions

Grab a rocks glass or stemless wine glass.
Muddle blackberries, then fill the glass halfway with ice.
Add in wine first and then seltzer to fill the glass. Add optional mint leaves, stir, and enjoy!

Raspberry white wine spritzer

To balance things out this winter without cutting out wine entirely, try our Raspberry White Wine Spritzer. The classic combination of raspberry with a touch of lime is a perfect match for Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris. Add in your favorite seltzer (a raspberry-lime variety, maybe) and you’ve got yourself a wine cocktail that is light and sweet.
Ingredients

3-4 fresh raspberries, muddled
2 oz. dry white
3-4 oz. seltzer water
1 lime wedge