I like wine. I like being healthy. It seemed like a pretty good idea to give FitVine Wine a try when I got the opportunity!
FitVine Wine was created by three friends who enjoyed wine but also enjoyed an active lifestyle. They wanted to 
create a wine that tasted just as good as the wines they loved while maintaining their health and using sustainable methods.
The Process
This resulted in a wine with more antioxidants and less residual sugar which mean fewer carbs, sulfites, and calories. Kind of seems too good to be true, right? It isn’t voodoo magic or false claims that make this wine a healthier option, it’s how they make the wine. The wine goes through a second fermentation process, malolactic, to lower the pH levels. The fermentation time frame is also extended to 10 to 15 days to help boost the antioxidants and lower pH. Finally, FitVine Wines use grapes grown at high altitude to ensure a higher amount of beneficial compounds such as resveratrol and polyphenols right from the get-go.
Whew! That’s a lot of stuff for wine to go through but it helps make it a healthier wine. The wines are also non-GMO and after ensuring that the wines were vegan (big pictures of raw meat right on the front page aren’t super helpful), I got to try their Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.
The Wines
I was a little worried that these wines would taste like “diet” versions of regular wine, whatever that means, but was pleasantly surprised when the Pinot Noir tasted just as good as some of my favorites. I paired it with a lentil stew because it was, of course, a cold winter night and it held up really well. The same with the Cabernet Sauvignon, which was probably my very favorite wine. I tried it with some dark chocolate brownies I had been recipe-testing earlier and it was phenomenal. Even my husband is a beer guy enjoyed the Cab Sauv.
I would have to say the Chardonnay was my least favorite because I felt like it really had no flavor. It kind of tasted like alcoholic water and I didn’t even finish my glass. I’m no sommelier, so maybe I couldn’t appreciate the fine nuances of the Chardonnay, but I think the reds were much better. 
Both the Pinot Noir and the Cabernet Sauvignon are 95 calories and 3.4 g of carbs per 5 oz and the Chardonnay is 90 calories and 3 g per 5 oz. You can order the wines online or search for a store that sells them near you. At $15 to $20 per bottle, they are reasonably priced and if you buy a case online you get free shipping.
If you’re looking for a wine that fits your active lifestyle, I would suggest giving FitVine Wine a try. Particularly their Cabernet Sauvignon!
