Toro Loco Tempranillo

It’s too late now, the cake is eaten, the wine is drunk and Christmas is over for another year. It is safe to say that everyone puts on a few pounds over the Christmas season, if for no other reason than that we are rarely as active and are not eating at regular times.

The average glass of wine is approximately 90 calories and almost all of those calories come from the alcohol content. However, it is quite common these days for wine to be almost 15% alcohol thanks to improvements in wine-making and in vineyard management, not to mention an increase in temperatures in many wine regions.

More alcohol means more calories, so if you are trying to shed a few pounds it is worth seeking out wines with a lower alcohol level. Note that all wines must by law display their alcohol content on the label, but the figure given can vary from the actual content by as much as 1.5% in the USA and by 0.8% in the EU.

German wines are one option as they are naturally around 7-9% alcohol by volume (ABV) thanks to a lower sugar content in the grapes, but few decent ones make it onto the market here.

As usual the Australians are at the forefront of research on this issue and Jacobs Creek released three lower alcohol wines (two whites and a rosé) last autumn to tap into the disquiet among many consumers about rising alcohol levels.

Reds will almost always be 13% ABV or higher, but there are a few at 12%, although you may need to ask for advice to help you find them. In general, the less expensive wines tend to have the lower alcohol content, which is another good reason for seeking them out.

Toro Loco Tempranillo, Spain 2011, 12% ABV — €4.99

Stockist: Aldi

Bright blackcurrant fruit aromas with a light blackberry flavour with a tiny hint of chocolate and at a very cheap price.

Denman Vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon 2011, 11% — €7

Stockist: ABV Tesco

The Hunter Valley’s most famous grape. Lemon cream aromas followed by soft but refreshing flavours of yellow apples and a hint of grapefruit with a dry lemony finish.

Uby Colombard Ugni Blanc, Cotes de Gascogne 2011, 10% ABV — €9.95

Stockists: Ardkeen Stores, Waterford; Cashel Wine Cellar; 1601 O/L Kinsale; The Vintry, Rathgar D6; Fallon & Byrne D2

Thirty years ago the grapes in this region were all used for brandy but now they make lively wines like this with melon and mango aromas and flavours and a lively clean finish.

Jacobs Creek Cool Harvest Vermentino 2011, 9.5% ABV. — €10.49

Stockists: Dunnes, Tesco, O’Sullivans, Ballincollig

Less than fully ripe grapes are harvested at night-time to preserve their acidity and freshness. Lightly fragrant with a crisp fresh lemon verbena flavour and a hint of spritz.

Dr Loosen Riesling Qualitatswein, 8% ABV. — €12.99

Stockist: O’Donovans off-licence

Be warned this has a distinct touch of sweetness on the palate which not everyone will like. The ripe fruit is compensated for with lively acidity however.

Moscato d’Asti, GD Vajra, Piedmont, Italy, 5.5% ABV — €12.99

Stockists: World Wide Wines, Waterford; Donnybrook Fair, Dublin

Lightly sparkling, intensely fragrant Moscato. This is almost sweet enough to be dessert on its own or matched with a slice of light sponge or a fresh mango.