Low Sugar Wines and Winter Wellness Recipes

With shorter days and longer nights, the season provides the ideal opportunity to return to the kitchen, create healthy meals, and enjoy the company of loved ones. This cozy time inspires warmth and connection.  At the heart of this season, we’ve paired FIVE of our favorite Low Sugar Wines and Winter Wellness Recipes with ONEHOPE’s low-sugar wines, all under 2 grams of sugar per 5-ounce glass. Plus, for a limited time, enjoy 30% off low-sugar wines at ONEHOPEWine.com to bring these pairings to life.

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Why Low Sugar Wines and Winter Wellness Recipes Matter

Low Sugar Wines and Winter Wellness Recipes go hand in hand. These wines are crafted to support your wellness goals without sacrificing taste. Furthermore, each wine contains less than 2 grams of sugar per 5-ounce serving, offering a light, refreshing way to enjoy the season. For example, savor the elegance of Vintner Rose, or indulge in the bold flavors of Vintner Pinot Noir.  These wines perfectly complement your meals, helping you feel good inside and out. Celebrate your health while enjoying the balance of Low Sugar Wines and Winter Wellness Recipes.

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Smart Pairings with Low Sugar Wines

Start your meal with these bright, flavorful recipes that combine fresh ingredients with the perfect wine pairing. Moreover, these dishes are ideal for creating an inviting and uplifting dining experience.

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Refreshing Starters for a Healthy Winter Meal

Melon Ball and Prosciutto Salad with Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette

Sweet melon and savory prosciutto shine when paired with a zesty lemon-mint vinaigrette. This dish makes a delightful starter that’s full of flavor. Furthermore, its vibrant notes are perfectly complemented by Vintner Rose. 

Serves 4-6   |   Time: 30 minutes
Wine Pairing: Vintner Rose

Ingredients

Vinaigrette

• ½ cup fresh mint leaves, zest of 1 lemon, and ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salad

• ½ small seedless watermelon, balled
• 4 cups fresh baby arugula
• ½ cantaloupe, seeded and balled
• 1 8-ounce container pearl-sized mozzarella balls
• 8–10 slices of prosciutto, torn into large pieces
• ½ honeydew melon, seeded and balled

Instruction 

1. Combine the mint, lemon zest, lemon juice, and honey in a food processor to prepare the vinaigrette.
2. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while blending, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. In a large bowl, toss together the watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, mozzarella, and prosciutto.
4. Arrange the arugula on a platter and top with the melon mixture.
5. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad before serving.
6. To prepare the vinaigrette, combine the mint, zest from 1 lemon, ¼ cup lemon juice, and honey in the bowl of a food processor.

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White Gazpacho with Low Sugar Elegance

This creamy, chilled soup offers a delightful twist on traditional gazpacho. Sweet grapes, crisp cucumber, and almonds combine into a refreshing dish that’s perfect year-round. Additionally, pair it with Vintner Sauvignon Blanc, which enhances the dish’s rich and bright flavors.

Serves 5   |   Time: 20 minutes
Wine Pairing: Vintner Sauvignon Blanc

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces day-old bread (crusts removed)
• 1 ½ cups water to soften the bread
• 1 English cucumber (peeled and cubed)
• 2 cups green grapes, plus extra for garnish
• ½ cup slivered almonds (skins removed)
• 1 chopped shallot
• ¼ cup sherry vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1. Soften the bread by placing it on a baking tray and pouring water over the top. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Blend the softened bread with cucumber, grapes, almonds, shallots, sherry vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of salt until smooth.
3. Refrigerate for 1 hour to chill.
4. Serve the gazpacho in bowls, garnished with sliced grapes, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt.

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Hearty Mains and Low Sugar Wine Pairings

For those cozy winter nights, these hearty recipes bring warmth and nourishment to your table. Furthermore, paired with robust wines, they are perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Kale & White Bean Soup

Warm up with a hearty kale and white bean soup that’s both satisfying and full of flavor. Earthy greens and savory sausage come together beautifully, pairing perfectly with Vintner Pinot Noir.  Moreover, this red wine offers just the right amount of complexity to enhance this wholesome dish.

Serves 8-10   |   Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Wine Pairing: Vintner Pinot Noir

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt 
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 spicy Italian sausages, preferably pre-cooked 
• 8 carrots, cut into ½ inch circles
• 6 celery stalks, cut into ½ inch pieces
• 2 yellow onions, large chop
• 3 (32 ounce) cartons chicken broth
• ¾ cup barley
• 10 ounces shiitake mushrooms, halved 
• 5 ounces kale leaves, stems removed and torn apart
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, liquid removed and rinsed

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Brown the sausages for 12 minutes, flipping occasionally. Remove, slice into ½-inch pieces, and set aside.
2. Add carrots, celery, and onion to the pot, followed by garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, and bay leaves. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.
3. Stir in the chicken broth and barley, and let the mixture simmer for 20-30 minutes until the barley is tender.
4. Return the sausage to the pot along with mushrooms, kale, beans, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Remove the bay leaves and serve hot.

From the Chef’s Kitchen:  If spicy Italian sausages have too much heat for you, sweet Italian sausages work great here instead. Also, even if you use pre-cooked sausages, browning them in the pan for just a few minutes will provide great flavor to the veggies being cooked in the pan after them.

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Cabernet Pot Roast with Low Sugar Red Wine

Slow-cooked to perfection, the beef and root vegetables are tender and rich. Additionally, this cozy dish is perfect for winter evenings, offering deep, comforting flavors. Vintner Cabernet Sauvignon  pairs beautifully with the hearty ingredients, enhancing their depth and richness.

Serves 4-6.  |   Active time: 45 minutes    |   In-Active Time: 3 hours
Wine Pairing: Vintner Cabernet Sauvignon

Ingredients:

• 1 (3-pound) beef chuck roast, seasoned generously
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 6 peeled carrots, sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 4 celery ribs, cut into ½-inch slices
• 8 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 pound baby red and gold potatoes
• 1 cup cabernet sauvignon
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
• 4 thyme sprigs (tied with cooking twine)
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°F.
2. Heat a large oven-safe soup pot or Dutch oven over high heat. Once hot, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Liberally season the pot roast with salt and ground pepper on both flat sides. Sear the roast for 2-3 minutes on each side, flipping with tongs until lightly browned. Remove the roast from the pan and set it aside.
4. Lower the heat to medium and add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pan. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until slightly softened.
5. Add the potatoes and deglaze the pan with the cabernet sauvignon, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon.
6. Create a well in the center of the vegetables and nestle the seared meat inside. Pour in the beef broth and canned tomatoes, then add thyme and bay leaves. Ensure the liquid comes up about 1 inch onto the meat. Cover with a lid and bake in the oven for 3-3½ hours, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 135°F.
7. Let the roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Remove and discard the thyme and bay leaves.

From the Chef’s Kitchen:  The best way to check the doneness of meat is with a meat thermometer. We recommend cooking to medium, (140°F). That said, remove from the oven when the meat reaches between 130 – 135°F, to give a little wiggle room for carry over cooking.
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Quick and Easy Sides for Every Occasion

Elevate your winter meals with this quick and easy side dish that pairs beautifully with hearty mains or stands alone as a light option. Additionally, these simple sides are packed with flavor and provide a touch of elegance to any table.

Sugar Snap Pea Salad

This quick and easy salad makes a perfect side dish for any winter meal. Sweet sugar snap peas and rich parmesan chunks come together with a light apricot dressing. Moreover, pair it with Vintner Pinot Grigio, which adds a touch of elegance to this simple yet flavorful dish.

Serves 6   |   Time: 10 minutes
Wine Pairing: Vintner Pinot Grigio

Ingredients:

• ½ cup apricot jam
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 24 ounces sugar snap peas, rinsed and dried
• 8 ounce chunk of parmesan cheese, cut into rough chunks (TIP: use the tip of your knife to “chisel” 1 inch chunks off of the block of parmesan)
• 2 ounces arugula leaves

Instructions:

1. Combine the apricot jam, lemon juice, honey, salt, and ground pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk until the mixture is well blended.
2. Toss the sugar snap peas and parmesan chunks in the jam mixture until evenly coated.
3. Gently fold in the arugula just before serving.

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Smart Wine Pairings for Low Sugar Wines and Winter Wellness Recipes

As winter settles in, it’s the perfect time to explore healthy, delicious recipes paired with low-sugar wines. For more wine and food pairing ideas to inspire your next meal, visit Wine Folly’s guide to pairing wine with food. Here’s to a season filled with warmth, wellness, and wine—cheers!

Don’t forget—you can enjoy 30% off low-sugar wines at ONEHOPEWine.com to make this season even sweeter!