Some people watch their calories in the food they eat and the beverages they drink. Some low-calorie wines are in the Canadian market. I received three low-cal wines from Svelte Wines, a label from Arterra Wines Canada, coming from Niagara Falls, ON and Oliver, BC. On the labels, it notes that these non-vintage wines come from a blend of foreign and domestic wines. I have a white, a rosé, and a red wine, but no grape varieties are listed on the labels or the website. The white and rosé are 80 cal per 3/4 cup, while the red wine is 90 cal per 3/4 cup. Let me tell you about them.
My Wine Tasting Notes
In many wines that I taste, you get flavour intensity, variety, and body building as you swirl the wine, and then it fades to the finish. Sort of like a wave. For these wines, I did not get that feeling on my palate. The mouthfeel and intensity stays the same from start to finish, which does not create interest as you sip.
You may try making a wine spritzer with the white and rosé wines. Simply add 3/4 cup wine, 1/4 cup soda water, and lemon rind to a glass filled with ice. Be sure that the wine and soda water are chilled beforehand. That should not add any extra calories to your drink.
Svelte White NV (BC $13.98)
Appearance: A clean, bright, medium-minus intensity lemon colour.
Nose: Medium intensity aromas of oranges and tropical fruits to start, but they fade soon, leaving peach and bramble leaf.
Palate: Dry, light body, smooth and soft. Not much body. Light stone fruits, some bramble leaf and a touch of saltiness on the palate. Medium acidity.
Finish: Medium-minus length finishing with light stone fruit flavours and some tart acidity.
I did not notice any change to the aromas or flavours to the Svelte White after decanting.
Rating: 
– 
Svelte Rosé NV (BC $11.99)
Appearance: A bright, clear, pale orange-salmon colour.
Nose: Light aromas of strawberries and red fruits, plus a touch of bramble leaf.
Palate: It is dry with medium-minus boy, and a smooth, soft mouthfeel. Tart red fruits, raspberries and strawberries, plus some saltiness and bramble leaf. Light tannins.
Finish: A medium length finishing with tart red fruit and strawberries. Light tannins.
I did not notice any change to the aromas or flavours to the Svelte Rosé after decanting.
Rating: –
Svelte Red NV (BC $13.98)
Appearance: A clear, deeper, translucent garnet colour.
Nose: Medium-plus aromas that show purple fruit and plums. Reminds me of Lambrusco aromas.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body, with a smooth, soft, thicker mouthfeel. Light tannins and medium acidity. Again, these flavours remind me of Lambrusco. I get raspberries, black cherries and black plums, and violets with air.
Finish: A medium length finishing with the Lambrusco-like flavours and some bitterness.
The Svelte Red was a bit softer in flavours after decanting, which made the wine easier to sip. Decanting recommended.
Rating: –
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
All three wines are available at BC’s Everything Wine stores. The Svelte Rosé is available at BC Liquor stores.
