Category: Guides

Everyone loves a drink once in a while, it could be a glass of wine at the end of a long workday or an ice-cold beer while basking in the sun – nothing beats unwinding with friends over a bottle of your favourite alcohol. Yet at the back of our minds, there resonates a tiny pang of guilt when we do indulge ourselves. As libations often do, they loosen us up and in the process, we end up consuming a significant amount of calories while having drinks with friends.

The end result forces us into a situation we’re all too comfortable with – work out intensely at the gym to burn off the excess weight, or restrict your diet and deny yourself of anything possibly Epicurean. There is, however, the third option – by being prudent and drinking consciously, we can still enjoy our booze without putting too much on our waist.

1. Kombucha

You might have heard of kombucha in passing, but what is it exactly? Kombucha is the fermented product of yeast, sugar, and black tea (although other tea varieties may be used). Finding mainstream popularity in the past decade, this so-called super drink is claimed to help boost your immune system, speed up your metabolism, and help you lose weight. Doesn’t that sound perfect?

At this point, it’s natural to wonder what a fermented tea is doing in an article about healthier alcohol options. Well, surprise! As a byproduct of the fermentation process, most kombuchas sport a 0.5% to 2% ABV. Although that might not get you sloshed, it will definitely provide a buzz for all you lightweights out there. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to regular ol’ beer, we suggest picking up a kombucha with a higher ABV (known affectionately as hard kombucha). Unlike beer, hard kombucha sports a lower-calorie count and less sugar while still packing the same punch in terms of alcohol by volume.

2. Light Beer

If kombucha isn’t your cup of tea and you still want to stick to beer as your alcohol of choice, you could also consider swapping to light beer. Retaining the same malty and hop-laden flavours but with significantly fewer calories, light beer is a godsend for the weight conscious. Found in pale lager varieties, light beer achieves its low caloric count from reduced alcohol content and carbohydrates.

The mere mention of light beer might get you some turned noses from beer traditionalists or brewmasters, but the current industry standard for light beer has advanced to the point where taste is never compromised. If you had to do a blind taste test between two beers of the same brand, regular and light – the difference would be negligible. If you won’t take our word for it, get a bottle of Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Lager and see if you notice any difference.

 3. Red Wine

We can’t talk about healthier ways to enjoy alcohol without talking about red wine. A product of crushed and fermented grapes, humankind has been drinking wine since time immemorial. Apart from the complementary nature of wine with food, research has also shown that a glass of red wine daily has some serious health benefits. Loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols, moderate consumption of red wine is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

The operative word here being “moderate”, of course. Researchers recommend no more than a glass of wine a day, and we suggest quality over quantity. Consider this fantastic Pinot Noir from JARBARLAR, a full-bodied and complex red wine that is widely popular among Singaporeans.

All that said, guilt should be the least of your worries now if you’re consciously swapping to healthier options for alcohol. Stave off the weight gain and enjoy a drink with friends, order online at JARBARLAR now and check out our wide range of spirits, beer, and wine to get your alcohol delivered to your doorstep now.

Nothing says “I’ve had a long day and I need to unwind” more than a glass of wine. The next time you gloss past the wine selection on your favourite online liquor wholesale store, pick a new bottle of wine that catches your eye and try it out. Share it with some friends, and if you don’t like it you can always put it aside. However, if you do decide to keep it around for a bit before uncorking it, these points might save your wine from turning putrid in the warm Singapore climate.

The Perfect Temperature

The ideal temperature for storing wine varies heavily on the type and vintage – white wines, sparkling wines and sweet wines should be stored at around 8 degrees celsius. Meanwhile, red wines, full-bodied or port, prefer a balmier average of 15 degrees celsius. The cause for this difference is the presence of tannins in the red wine which react adversely to temperatures that exceed tolerance. Storing your wine at the appropriate temperatures allows the contents to mature and age properly, bringing out its best flavours.

Of course, in a country that averages 25 to 31 degrees year-round, it can be tricky to store your wine at the perfect temperature. If that thought has you panicking, fear not. The aforementioned temperatures serve as a guideline for enthusiasts who consciously want their wine to develop a certain way over a prolonged period of time. If you’re like us and have to resist the temptation to uncork every bottle within a fortnight of purchase, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Location and Position Matters

After establishing the range of temperatures that suit wine storage, conventional wisdom dictates that the fridge would be a perfect place to store wine. Well, yes and no. Keeping wine on a fridge shelf might be suitable for a few months but if you’re looking for a long term storage option, it just won’t do.

The basic design of a fridge is meant to keep food safe from bacteria, reducing the risks of food poisoning. To ensure this, most fridges keep a constant temperature of about 4 degrees celsius. What happens to your wine at this temperature? Over a protracted period of time, the cork dries out. If you’ve ever opened a bottle of wine and had the cork literally disintegrate under your wine opener, it’s probably because of the moisture being removed from the fridging process.

Experts also recommend that wine bottles be kept in a horizontal position, to ensure the wine is in contact with the cork. Again, this prevents it from drying out and ruining your wine tasting experience.

Unfinished Business

Storing a bottle of opened wine is a simple task if you’re bougie like us and bought one with a screw on cap. But what if you were splurging for a nice occasion and uncorked an expensive bottle of wine, only to leave it unfinished?

The first thing to take note of is to always save the cork in order to seal it. In addition, it might be tempting to use the unstained side to re-cork it, but the bacteria on the exposed portion might leave your wine spoiling in a day or two.

Another way to store a half-consumed bottle of wine would be to pour it into a clean glass container, filling it to the brim. By doing so, you eliminate any residual air and bacteria, which is the main contributor to wine turning sour.

Get Your Bottle of Red or White at JARBARLAR

Whether you’re a wine novice looking for a place to begin, or a veteran who can tell a wine’s country of origin from smell alone – JARBARLAR’s collection of red and white wines in Singapore has all you could desire.

Check out our impressive selection of wines and other alcohol available for delivery now, at JARBARLAR.

Red wines and white wines are wine varieties that come in a wide range of colours. Wine lovers in Singapore often debate which is better but it is important to remember that each wine type has its own flavour profile and it is best to try both yourself before deciding which one you like more.

While red and white wines are largely different, they were originally made from one species of  grape called Vitis Vinifera. Vitis Vinifera grapes might come in a range of red and white these days, but Ampelographers believe that they might have been black grapes originally, with natural mutation creating the first white grapes.

Read on to find out more about the differences between red and white wines now.

Different Production Processes

Other than colour differences, red and white wines also differ in production processes. The key differences lie in the fermentation process, in which red wines are fermented with grape skins and seeds while white wines are not. This is also the process that gives red wines their signature colour – from the skins and the seeds of the grapes.

However, there are also special cases where white wines are fermented without having the grape skins and seeds removed. Wines made with this method are commonly referred to as Orange Wines and they share a taste resemblance with red wines and have tannin. Similarly, Blanc de Noirs, a red wine which is made with the white wine method has an appearance that looks like white wine. Other red wines that look like white wines include the White Pinot Noir or Pinot D’alsace.

Their Taste Differs

Both red wines and white wines have their own unique taste, but both types of wines each have their own spectrum of differing tastes. For example, some white wines are very sweet, and others dry while red wines tend to be on the bitter side, with a puckering taste. White wines also have a lighter, fruitier flavour than red wines, which tend to be bolder with more complexities.

The main reason why red wines are more bitter is due to the tannins present within the wine, which is enabled by the fermentation process that keeps the grape skins and seeds on. Without the grape skins, there will be little to no tannins in the wine, causing it to be sweeter and lighter like white wines.

Enjoying Red and White Wine

With its differences in taste and flavour, it is only natural that red and white wines have different ways of consumption in order to reap the most out of each bottle.

Since red wines contain tannins, it is recommended to allow red wines to “breathe” by decanting them before serving. Decanting would aerate the wine and increase its natural aromas and soften the taste of tannins that can cause harshness for younger wines. While white wines can benefit from five to ten minutes of “breathing”, one should serve immediately after as decanting white wine for too long can cause it to lose its vibrancy and freshness.

When it comes to storage, the common belief that red wine must be served at room temperature while white wine should always be served chilled is not entirely true as some whites can develop aromas when warmed slightly.

Get Your Red and White Wines at JARBARLAR Now

Looking to get a nice bottle of wine or two to pair with a steak and pasta dinner over the weekend? Simply place your orders online on JARBARLAR and we will have your wines delivered to your doorstep. Spend above $50 to be eligible for free delivery within Singapore.

Browse our full range of wines online now!