KIM CRAWFORD ILLUMINATE
Kim Crawford’s Sauvignon is one of the biggest sellers at the SAQ. Illuminate, its light version, arrived barely a year ago. It is probably the lowest alcohol wine (7%) from the SAQ. The label highlights its low calorie content (i.e. 90 calories per 3⁄4 cup serving [188 ml]). For a standard 5 ounce (150 ml) cup, you get 72 calories and 1.2 g of sugar. The wine does not fall into the category of dry wines since it provides 8 g of residual sugar per litre. However, in a standard glass, the amount of sugar remains insignificant, i.e. 1⁄4 c. sugar. As for the manufacturing process, part of the wine undergoes a process of dealcoholization (by vacuum distillation) until it reaches less than 1% alcohol. The latter is then married to the non-dealcoholized base wine to arrive at the final result of 7%.
SLEEK: LOW ALCOHOL, LOW CALORIES
Contrary to popular belief, most of the calories in wine come from alcohol, not residual sugar. Low-alcohol wines therefore contain fewer calories. This is the case of Svelte wines which display 8% alcohol. With 100 calories per 188ml serving, or 80 calories per 150ml cup.
The 4% alcohol version, Svelte Watermelon, is perfect for lovers of particularly aromatic fruity flavours.
New, Svelte offers the ready-to-drink Lemon Spritz, a sparkling white wine drink. It provides 4% alcohol, 70 calories and 0 g of sugar per 355 ml can.
ALCOHOL-FREE ALTERNATIVES
Non-alcoholic ready-to-drink drinks are becoming increasingly popular. Without a doubt, the Atypical beverages are at the top of the list. The family continues to grow with now 7 flavors (mojito, red sangria, spritz, amaretto sour, spiced rum & cola, gin and tonic, margarita). Each can provides between 60 and 80 calories and between 15 and 19 g of sugars.
How do you explain that they are sweeter than seltzers, but that they provide fewer calories? Remember, most of the calories come from alcohol (7 calories per gram of alcohol) whereas, in the case of Atypical, the calories come from sugar alone, or 4 calories per gram. A drink with 15 g of sugars will provide 60 calories, or 15 g x 4 calories. A soft drink of the same format provides 39 g of sugars and 140 calories. The difference is telling.
seltzers
The craze for Seltzers1 has been present for several years. They are refreshing, moderate in alcohol and low in sugar. They are made from malt, vodka or cider.
TAÏGA SELTZER RASPBERRY & CAMBERISE
5% ALCOHOL
We love this ready-to-drink developed by a young entrepreneur, Claudie Lamoureux, which has just celebrated its first year of existence. Made in Hemmingford, this cider-based seltzer features raspberry and haskap, two local gems. It provides 100 calories per 355ml can and only 1g of sugar. A distinctive product
WALTER CAESAR
4.5% ALCOHOL
It is interesting to find cocktails in salty and unsweetened versions. That’s what Walter Caesar offers with a craft vodka cocktail just perfectly spiced. Produced in Vancouver, this ready-to-drink offers a great list of ingredients, without any additives.
THE DOLCE VITA-SELTZER
4% ALCOHOL
With 90 calories and 3 g of sugar, this seltzer is a great discovery to savor. A product designed by Laurentian businessman François Tremblay, it is all the rage in the United States. The company has also won several awards. If the cranberry flavor is available in Quebec, you have to visit our American cousins to taste the other flavors (blood orange & grapefruit, lemon & lime).
NOROI VODKA SODA LEMON LIME
4% ALCOHOL
Made in Saint-Hyacinthe, Noroi vodka-based ready-to-drink products are among the company’s many products. They provide 80 calories and less than 1 g of sugar per 355 ml can
CHERRY RIVER – HARD SELTZER
4% ALCOHOL
Marc Dupré has the wind in his sails with his spirits and ready to drink made in Magog. Cherry River malt-based seltzers provide 90 calories and 3g of sugars per 355ml can. They come in three original flavors (peach + basil, yuzu + lime and cherries + cranberries).
1 Seltzer is a fruit-flavoured alcoholic sparkling water. It can be based on malt, cider, wine or spirits. Spirits-based seltzers can be found at the SAQ, malt-based seltzers in grocery stores and convenience stores.