Just in time for the holiday season, SUNLIGHT, a new collection of lower-alcohol wines, sustainably made by South Australian winery Oxford Landing, has just launched in the UK.
Whether for health or well-being reasons, many people are looking to moderate their alcohol consumption. Just in time for the holiday season, SUNLIGHT, a new collection of lower-alcohol wines by South Australian winery Oxford Landing, has just launched in the UK.
Our alcohol consumption was greatly impacted by COVID. Graham and I embraced the first lockdown with weekly to bi-weekly “Zoom drinks”. After a few months, it became obvious that we were drinking more than usual (and feeling worse for it). We have tried to reverse the trend by embracing no-alcohol or low-alcohol alternatives but these have been a little bit hit-or-miss.
While I am generally happy to drink an alcohol-free beer or G&T, finding a good low-alcohol alternative to wine has been a challenge. Alcohol-free wine might as well be grape juice and low-alcohol wine is often too light.
An invitation to try the new SUNLIGHT by Oxford Landing collection of lower-alcohol mid-strength wines sparked my interest and made me realise that, somewhere between no to low-alcohol and regular wines, there were other alternatives I had not thought about.
In addition to SUNLIGHT Chardonnay 2023 and SUNLIGHT Shiraz 2021, our evening of wine-tasting included a selection of Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Oxford Landing Chardonnay 2023, Oxford Landing Merlot 2021, and Oxford Landing Shiraz 2021.
Sustainable Wines
Oxford Landing was founded in 1958 in South Australia’s Riverland. Set on the banks of the Murray River, the estate spans 300 hectares of vineyard land.
The whole range of Oxford Landing wines has been vegan since 2008 and the company is also proud of its sustainability efforts.
Oxford Landing is striving to reduce its carbon footprint and since 2007 has embarked on a revegetation project, purchasing 600 hectares of farmland next to its vineyard. For every hectare of vines planted, at least one hectare of land is devoted to the regeneration of native flora and fauna. To date, more than 200,000 trees and shrubs have been planted.
Oxford Landing also strives to limit water irrigation, has a low ratio of wine-to-water use and recycles 100% of its wastewater. 20% of the winery’s power needs are met
by renewable energy, generated on-site.
Oxford Landing is Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) Certified and was welcomed as an Applicant Member to the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) working towards full membership and meeting Net Zero targets by 2050.
Lower-alcohol wines
While an average glass of wine contains between 11% and 13% alcohol, SUNLIGHT by Oxford Landing Chardonnay 2023 is just 7% alcohol, while SUNLIGHT by Oxford Landing Shiraz 2021 is 8% alcohol.
As a reference, the current UK government guidance defines alcohol-free drinks as having no more than 0.05% ABV and low-alcohol drinks as having no more than 1.2% ABV.
We had a very enjoyable evening in the company of Andy La Nauze, winemaker at Oxford Landing. He spent 18 months developing SUNLIGHT by Oxford Landing
Chardonnay and Shiraz, and ensuring that the lower alcohol levels did not compromise on quality or taste. He explained that the wine-making process is similar for both wines.
SUNLIGHT by Oxford Landing Chardonnay has crisp, stone fruit and honey flavours. It is crafted from Oxford Landing Chardonnay and the alcohol is removed using the latest membrane technology to produce a wine that is 40% lower in alcohol and calories.
Using the same process and technology, SUNLIGHT by Oxford Landing Shiraz is crafted from Oxford Landing Shiraz resulting in 35% less alcohol and calories. It has a fruity aroma and soft tannins.
Overall the SUNLIGHT range does a good job of balancing taste and body. Of the two wines, my preference goes to SUNLIGHT Chardonnay as I found SUNLIGHT Shiraz a bit too light and sweet for a red wine.
Whatever the reason why you are trying to reduce your alcohol intake, lower-alcohol wines like SUNLIGHT by Oxford Landing are a good compromise.
Where to buy them from
Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2023 – RRP £7 (available from Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Iceland, and Coop)
Oxford Landing Chardonnay 2023 – RRP £7.50 (available from Morrisons, Waitrose, and Amazon)
SUNLIGHT by Oxford Landing Chardonnay 2023 – RRP £7 (available from Sainsbury’s)
Oxford Landing Merlot 2021 – RRP £7.49 (available from Tesco and Iceland)
Oxford Landing Shiraz 2021 – RRP £7.49 (available from Waitrose)
SUNLIGHT by Oxford Landing Shiraz 2021 – RRP £7 (available from Sainsbury’s)
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