Low Acid Wine (Red, White & Least Acidic Wines)

Drinking wine is all fun and games until you wake up in the middle of the night with that familiar feeling of dread, commonly known as acid reflux.

But all you had was two glasses?

And they didn’t taste that acidic?

Not in comparison to the margaritas and daiquiris that your friends were drinking.

So is there acid in wine?

And how much acid can you expect in a glass of wine?

Is Wine Low in Acidity?

First things first, wine is acidic.

In fact, not only is there acid in wine but it is of vital importance that there is acid in wine.

You see, as with a lot of food, acid is naturally occuring in grapes and this acid is then carried over into the finished wine during the fermentation process.

The presence of acid in wine is balanced out by other elements such as tannins, alcohol level, sweetness and aromas so it’s not always immediately obvious that the acid is there.

So how can you detect acid in wine?

How to Detect Acid in Wine

There are two ways to detect acid in wine.

• The 1st is to become more familiar with which wines are more likely to have high acidity levels. We’ll cover this later on but when in doubt always ask the person selling or serving you wine, as they’ll be more than happy to assist you with this.
• The 2nd is to pay attention to the effect wine has in your mouth as you drink it.

It might sound silly but the way our mouth reacts to wines we drink can tell us an awful lot about them.

When it comes to detecting acid in wine, wines with high acidity will cause a lot of saliva to be released when consumed.

You should feel this happening along the sides of your mouth and gums and this is because acidity is a signal to the brain that food is about to be consumed - your mouth is getting ready to eat.

Take some time to notice next time you drink some wine, or something else with high acidity.

See if you can notice the sensations occurring and the way your mouth responds to these high acid levels.

But is there just one type of acid in wine?

Types of Acids in Wine

There are multiple different types of acids to be found in wine.

The 4 primary types of acid to be found in wine are:

• Tartaric acid
• Malic acid
• Citric acid
• And Lactic acid

Tartaric, malic and citric acid are the most common forms of acid found in wine.

Lactic acid is the acid more commonly associated with milk and can be found in wines such as Chardonnay that have developed a creamier texture during fermentation.

Why, then, is acid encouraged in the winemaking process?

What makes acid so important in wine?

Why is Acid Important in Wine?

Acid is really important in wine.

The presence of acid is crucial in balancing out the other elements of alcohol, tannins and sugar, ensuring one does not overpower the other.

Acid is also very important for ageing wines and most wines suitable for long-term cellaring will have high acidity levels.

Over time the acids will soften but the quality of the wine will have been maintained.

Do Tannins Make Wine More Acidic?

How do tannins influence acidity levels?

Tannins and acidity can both be very powerful presences in wine, so it’s important they are well balanced when together.

Not all high acid wines require tannins, in fact a lot of wines with high acidity levels, such as Riesling and Pinot Grigio, have low tannin levels.

This way the tannins don’t exacerbate the acidity and make the wine taste unpleasant to drink.

So if red wines have high tannins and low acidity, can they still age?

How well can low acid red wines age?

Can Low Acid Red Wines Age?

Acidity is a very important element in a wine’s ageing process, so does that mean red wines with low acidity can’t age?

As a wine ages it’s acidity levels tend to drop, and a wine can taste softer over time.

Because of this red wines with low acidity levels are less likely to age well.

It’s vital then, if you want to cellar a low acid red wine, that the wines have high levels of tannins, to help compensate for this.

So in order to avoid cellaring the wrong wines, what red wines have low acidity?

List of Low Acid Red Wines

Here is a list of red wines with low acidity for you to look out for:

1. Bordeaux blends

These wines involve nothing but low acid grapes.

Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot feature heavily in these blends, But don’t worry, because of their high levels of tannins these wines are still perfect for ageing.

2. Zinfandel

When grown and made in Sunny California, Zinfandel makes for some really punchy, robust red wines with little acidity.

3. Carmenere

Similar in character to Merlot this is a silky smooth red wine whose acidity won’t keep you up at night

4. Pinotage

A fantastic New World wine with minimal acidity, South African Pinotage is a great option for a low acid red wine.

So that’s low acid red wines, but what about high acid red wines?

What red wines are known for their high acidity levels?

White wine isn’t exactly known for its low acidity levels, so what does that mean for those of us looking to reduce our acid consumption?

How much acid is in white wine?

Is White Wine Acidic? (pH levels)

Acidity is measured on something called a pH scale which is used to help scientists compare the acidity levels of different liquids and substances.

• Lemon juice sits at about 2 on the pH scale and our friend coffee comes in with a pH rating of 5.

• Wine sits somewhere in the middle, and you can expect your wines to rate between a 2 and a 4 on the pH scale.

• For lower acid white wines you want a wine that is closer to a 4pH than a 2pH.

So how can you tell when a wine is acidic?

How to Detect Acid in White Wine

When it comes to detecting acid in wine, wines with high acidity will cause a lot of saliva to be released when consumed.

Your mouth will literally water in response!

You should feel this happening along the sides of your mouth and gums and this is because acidity is a signal to the brain that food is about to be consumed - your mouth is getting ready to eat.

Take some time to notice next time you drink some wine, or something else with high acidity.

See if you can notice the sensations occurring and the way your mouth responds to these high acid levels. 

So what white wines have lower levels of acid?

Top 10 Low Acid White Wines

Here is a list of white wines that tend to score lower on the acidity charts:

1. Gewurztraminer

Grown in France and Germany this super aromatic white wine grape tends to have quite low levels of acidity.

2. Viognier

Bursting with peach and honeysuckle this versatile grape is especially low in acid once it has been oak aged.

3. Marsanne

Rich, nutty and big bodied, this is a bold French grape with remarkably low acidity levels.

4. Roussanne

A great white wine for roasted chicken dishes, this slightly oily white wine is a great option for those seeking out low acid varieties.

5. Chardonnay

There really is a Chardonnay for everyone, and oak aged Chardonnays are beautiful, creamy low acid options for white wine lovers. 

6. Savvatiano

This low acid white grape is from Greece and bursts with vanilla, apricots and fresh mint. 

7. Fiano

A honeyed, easy drinking white wine from Italy with low acidity.

8. Grenache Blanc

A low acid white grape cousin of the beloved red Grenache grape.

9. Semillon

A tasty low acid white grape from the Bordeaux region of France.

10. Viura

Also known as Macabeao, this is beautifully crisp and low acid white wine from Spain.

So that's some white wines to look out for, but what wines should you be avoiding? What white wines are very high in acid?

High Acid White Wines to Avoid if You Want a Low Acid Option

If you’re looking to avoid white wines high in acid it may be smart to avoid the following:

1. Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is an especially zingy white grape with lots of acidity

2. Champagne

we’re sorry to say it but Champagne is really quite high in acid and may not be suitable for a low acid diet.

3. Pinot Grigio

An Italian grape practically bursting with lemon and lime acidity

4. Sauvignon Blanc

A fan favourite all over the globe, this very popular white wine is also sadly very high in acidity

5. Vinho Verde

Young and vibrant, this Portuguese variety is known for its acidic notes of lemon juice and lime zest.

So if acidity plays such an important role in wine and food pairings, how can you pair food with low acid white wines?

How to Pair Food with Low Acid White Wines

If you’re avoiding acidity in your wine then it's best to avoid acidity in your food, too.

Pairing an acidic dish with a wine low in acidity will result in a lot of flabby and unpleasant flavours.

Instead look for dishes with lots of:

• Green vegetables,
• Creamy sauces
• or Sweeter, fruitier components 

But why is there always going to be some acidity in wine? Why is acid an important factor in wine?

Why Acid is Important in Wine

Acidity is really important in wine.

The presence of acid is crucial in balancing out the other elements of alcohol, tannins and sugar, ensuring one does not overpower the other. 

Acid is also very important for ageing wines and most wines suitable for long-term cellaring will have high acidity levels.

Over time the acids will soften but the quality of the wine will have been maintained.

But is there just one type of acidity in wine?

Types of Acids in Wine

There are multiple different types of acids to be found in wine.

The 4 primary types of acid to be found in wine are:

• Tartaric acid
• Malic acid
• Citric acid
• Lactic acid

Tartaric, malic and citric acid are the most common forms of acid found in wine.

Lactic acid is the acid more commonly associated with milk and can be found in wines such as Chardonnay that have developed a creamier texture during fermentation.

Before You Go...

We hope this article answers any questions you may have on Low Acid Wines.

Do you need to know about other popular wine types to add something extra to your next dinner party?

Read our next article about popular red wines (and why) here...

Popular Red Wine Types (Full Guide)

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, or email us at info@expertwinestorage.co.uk

Related Guides

• Sweet White Wines
• Semi Sweet Red Wines

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