This myth about sugar in wine comes from the apparently successful- but false - advertising campaigns for “dry” wines, low sugar wines etc. .
Some group of real winemakers need to counter with their own social media advertising campaign.
In this new world the things we thought we could take for granted like folks know wine doesn’t have sugar you can’t take for granted. Folks believe social media unfortunately. This is how Trump got elected.
Thanks for brightening our winter with this thoughtful piece, Karen! Holy God, indeed!! I love that you, my Mother and Oscar Wilde subscribe to the fabulous lifelong resolution to, "drink Champagne for absolutely no reason at all." They key to longevity and having a great time while we're here, I'm certain.
For all the blood, sweat and dollars that have been spent 'educating' the public about wine - it seems we have quite a long way to go. Here's to a smashing 2026!!
Thank you, Karen! I love tasting wine solo. I find I'm more present to the wine itself and less susceptible to the "oh, yes, I get that, too" temptation to look smart.
This anti-sugar obsession is baffling. I do look up sugar contents on wine because it helps me decide what food to pair it with (I had a lovely Riesling with 9g/L RS with Salmon Teriyaki last night.) And for Champagne, my preference is Brut with 7-10g/L as anything dryer is too harsh for me.
But seriously, most dry wines have <5g/L, which is less than 1 teaspoon for an entire BOTTLE.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I live alone and do enjoy a glass by myself from time to time (grateful for my Coravin for that.)
The idea of Wine Solo resonates. In a moment when loneliness and solitude are often conflated, this reframing — wine as presence rather than escape — feels both humane and necessary.
Yes yes yes - to drinking by yourself 🙌 (not lonely alone!) and to champagne🍾thank you for your rich insights making my fav indulgence so accessible and adventurous!
Karen I love reading this! I’m solo and drink a glass or two almost every evening (usually a French bottle because those are my heart favorites as well as Champagne!) the exact reasons you mention are the reason I indulge. It’s like gifting myself something special for a day well done! I’m on a ranch in the
Hill Country near Dripping Springs, TX. Chores daily. Come for a visit and let’s share a bottle of wine 🍷together!
There is so much I loved about this post. But one thing especially stood out to me:
"I’m intoxicated by its scent—sometimes, if it’s red, by seductive primordial smells I can’t name;"
A few nights ago, I was drinking a Cabernet Sauvignon. I'm fairly new to wine. I did the thing - took a sniff. I took another. I swirled and sniffed again. Yes - the scent was intoxicating and beautiful. But all I could say was that it just smelled like wine. Like honest-to-goodness wine. It made my mouth water, and I concluded that it must just be programmed into me - to be obsessed with this smell that I can't contain with labels like "black fruit" or "leather" ...
Anyway - glad to see that a wine-maestro can't name every smell and is also seduced. :)
This myth about sugar in wine comes from the apparently successful- but false - advertising campaigns for “dry” wines, low sugar wines etc. .
Some group of real winemakers need to counter with their own social media advertising campaign.
In this new world the things we thought we could take for granted like folks know wine doesn’t have sugar you can’t take for granted. Folks believe social media unfortunately. This is how Trump got elected.
Thank you everyone. What amazing comments. A writer lives for her readers.
Glad to read that you are back in any form and without added sugar.
Thanks for brightening our winter with this thoughtful piece, Karen! Holy God, indeed!! I love that you, my Mother and Oscar Wilde subscribe to the fabulous lifelong resolution to, "drink Champagne for absolutely no reason at all." They key to longevity and having a great time while we're here, I'm certain.
For all the blood, sweat and dollars that have been spent 'educating' the public about wine - it seems we have quite a long way to go. Here's to a smashing 2026!!
I'm with you Dave.
Thank you, Karen! I love tasting wine solo. I find I'm more present to the wine itself and less susceptible to the "oh, yes, I get that, too" temptation to look smart.
This anti-sugar obsession is baffling. I do look up sugar contents on wine because it helps me decide what food to pair it with (I had a lovely Riesling with 9g/L RS with Salmon Teriyaki last night.) And for Champagne, my preference is Brut with 7-10g/L as anything dryer is too harsh for me.
But seriously, most dry wines have <5g/L, which is less than 1 teaspoon for an entire BOTTLE.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I live alone and do enjoy a glass by myself from time to time (grateful for my Coravin for that.)
Thank you for speaking truth and fact backed by science.....not someone's "headline". You are not alone in the wine universe
The idea of Wine Solo resonates. In a moment when loneliness and solitude are often conflated, this reframing — wine as presence rather than escape — feels both humane and necessary.
This post warmed my heart on this cold Winter’s day here in NYC.
The high sugar content wine thing is a huge misconception that pretty much everyone makes.
Sad.
Thank you for this post.
Yes yes yes - to drinking by yourself 🙌 (not lonely alone!) and to champagne🍾thank you for your rich insights making my fav indulgence so accessible and adventurous!
Karen I love reading this! I’m solo and drink a glass or two almost every evening (usually a French bottle because those are my heart favorites as well as Champagne!) the exact reasons you mention are the reason I indulge. It’s like gifting myself something special for a day well done! I’m on a ranch in the
Hill Country near Dripping Springs, TX. Chores daily. Come for a visit and let’s share a bottle of wine 🍷together!
Thank you, Karen. For everything.
You're too kind my friend.
There is so much I loved about this post. But one thing especially stood out to me:
"I’m intoxicated by its scent—sometimes, if it’s red, by seductive primordial smells I can’t name;"
A few nights ago, I was drinking a Cabernet Sauvignon. I'm fairly new to wine. I did the thing - took a sniff. I took another. I swirled and sniffed again. Yes - the scent was intoxicating and beautiful. But all I could say was that it just smelled like wine. Like honest-to-goodness wine. It made my mouth water, and I concluded that it must just be programmed into me - to be obsessed with this smell that I can't contain with labels like "black fruit" or "leather" ...
Anyway - glad to see that a wine-maestro can't name every smell and is also seduced. :)
Cheers to wine!
As indeed I am (left unable to name smells but seduced by them).
Thank you for sharing, Karen. I still can’t believe you interviewed P!NK!
me either.
Such an emotive, thought-provoking piece 👏
THX Guy. Hope you are well and up to good stuff.