Alcoholic beverage, wine, light

Light wine is a reduced-alcohol version of table wine, made either by harvesting grapes earlier for lower natural sugar and alcohol or by removing some alcohol after fermentation, resulting in a thinner body and softer flavor than a standard glass of wine. It's poured the same way as regular wine, served chilled if white or rose-style, and used in the same casual dinner contexts, though its lighter body means it's sometimes mixed with sparkling water for a lower-proof spritzer. Because the flavor is milder than a full-strength bottle, it tends to pair best with lighter dishes like salads or grilled fish rather than heavier, richer fare.

A 1 fl oz pour (30 g) has just 49 calories, 1.15 g sugar, and 7 mg sodium, making it one of the lower-calorie alcoholic options by volume, with a full glass scaling up from these numbers depending on pour size. Because it contributes essentially no protein, fiber, or other nutrients, it's best thought of as an occasional beverage rather than a food, kept refrigerated once opened and consumed within a few days, since the reduced alcohol content makes it more prone to oxidizing than a full-strength wine. A wine stopper or vacuum pump helps preserve what's left in the bottle between pours.