Red Wine Alcohol Content (Best Wines From Lowest to Highest ABV)

What is the alcohol content in red wine?

While the average red wine alcohol content is 13.5% ABV, some red wines may go as low as 10% and some as high as 20%. In turn, this alcohol level range gives you a great variety of flavors and styles to choose from!

In this article, we’ll explore what determines red wine alcohol content, the best red wines based on their alcohol content, and some great food pairing ideas.

Factors That Determine Red Wine Alcohol Content

The average alcohol percentage in red wine ranges between 12%-15%. Red wine has higher alcohol content than white wine, which balances out its high tannin content, residual sugar levels, and rich texture.  

The alcohol levels in this classic drink vary based on the grapes used and the style of the winemaker:

• Grapes: In red wine production, the winemaker uses riper grapes (late harvest grape varieties) with increased sugar levels. So, the higher sugar content in the grape juice means that more sugars are converted into pure alcohol during fermentation. This gives this alcoholic beverage a higher ABV than white wines.  

• Winemaking: During fermentation, the yeasts in the grape skins start feeding on the sugar and produce alcohol as a byproduct. The winemaker can stop this process at any time which means he can make an alcoholic drink with a higher or lower alcohol content.

Red Wine Types by Alcohol Content and Best Wine Recommendations 

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular wine styles (from sweet wine to dry wine) and their alcohol content. We’ve also selected some of the finest wine label recommendations based on their average alcohol level. 

• Red Wines With Low Alcohol Content
• Red Wines With Low to Medium Alcohol Content
• Red Wines With Medium Alcohol Content
• Red Wines With Medium to High Alcohol Content
• Red Wines With High Alcohol Content

1. Red Wines With Low Alcohol Content

Best low alcohol red wine bottles:

• 2005 Giacomo Bologna Braida Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG, Piedmont, Italy ($29)
• 2015 Fattoria Moretto Monovitigno Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Emilia-Romagna, Italy ($55)
• 2013 Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon 'Cuvee 3.14', Beaujolais, France

2. Red Wines With Low to Medium Alcohol Content

Best medium-low alcohol red wine bottles:

• 2018 Newton Johnson 'Windansea' Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa ($37)
• 2001 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand ($97)
• 2019 Domaine de la Vougeraie Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France ($1,154)

3. Red Wines With Medium Alcohol Content

Best medium alcohol red wine bottles:

• 2016 Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy ($40)
• 2018 Château Leoville Barton, Saint-Julien, France ($105)
• 2013 Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon 'Cuvee 3.14', Beaujolais, France ($433)

4. Red Wines With Medium to High Alcohol Content

Best medium-high alcohol red wine bottles:

• 2015 Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy ($29)
• 2016 Quixote Winery 'Helmet of Mambrino' Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, USA ($124)
• 2003 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, USA ($1,158)

5. Red Wines With High Alcohol Content

Best high alcohol red wine bottles:

• 2017 Sons of Eden 'Remus' Shiraz, Eden Valley, Australia ($45)
• Churchill's 30 Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal ($128)
• 2000 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Selezione DOCG, Veneto, Italy ($1,385)

Food Pairings Based on Red Wine Alcohol Content

Here are some heavenly food pairings to enhance your wine drinking experience: 

• Food pairing with low alcohol red wine: Low alcohol wine (like the lighter sweet wine styles) goes well with seafood, grilled appetizers, and soft cheeses. Wine drinkers can use a lower alcohol wine to make a fun alcoholic beverage like Sangria or other delicious wine cocktails. 

• Food pairing with medium alcohol red wine: You can enjoy any wine label with moderate alcoholic content alongside salmon, pasta, and pork chops. 

• Food pairing with high alcohol red wine: High alcohol wines pair perfectly with meat-based dishes. You can enjoy a fortified wine, dessert wine, or any high alcohol content wine with chocolate cake and creme brulee. Even baked mushrooms and roasted aubergines pair well with higher alcohol wines. 

Raise A Toast With a Glass of Red Wine!

There are plenty of red wine styles with varying alcohol content to choose from. So, wine drinkers, time to stock your cellar with vintage reds to uncork on special occasions! 

If you want to build an impressive wine portfolio of investment-worthy red wines, check out the Vinovest website. Find out how to easily buy, store, and sell authentic wines from renowned wineries from all over the world.