For lighter wines that still taste like the real deal, Chapel Hill’s Enlightened range is quickly becoming a go-to. These bottles bring all the flavour with noticeably less alcohol, which is why everyone’s falling in love with them.

Best SIPS’ Chapel Hill Enlightened Wines review team put the Rosé and Pinot Grigio through their paces, and the feedback was unanimous: both are fresh, light and perfect for summer sipping without the unwanted morning crogginess.

A rosé with summer written all over it

Chapel Hill’s Enlightened Rosé is bright, crisp and fruity, hitting all the right notes without tipping into the “too sweet” zone. It’s the kind of bottle you reach for at a casual barbecue or any get-together where you want something delicious but easygoing.

It’s exactly this balance of lightness and full flavour in an affordable bottle that has so many fans raving.

“Light, refreshing and honestly just feels like a little moment of peace in a glass. The flavour is this perfect mix of crisp + fruity without being too sweet — literally the kind of rosé you can sip while you finally sit down after a long day.”

“Too many of these low alcohol wines just don’t taste enough like the real deal-but this is a sure fire exception. Beautifully refreshing, with a touch of sweetness that’s not overwhelming. A gorgeous colour too, which is a bonus- after all, we also drink either our eyes! Add into the mix a reasonable price point- this rose is a winner!”

“I love a nice glass of Rosé and the Chapel Hill Enlightened Rosé did not disappoint! It’s really light and refreshing and tastes like a really expensive wine. I love that this wine is really affordable, so I can enjoy a beautiful Rosé without breaking the bank more often. Definitely give this one a try!”

If your warm-weather wine rack needs an affordable new staple, this is it.

A Pinot Grigio you’ll be buying again (and again!)

For the white lovers, Chapel Hill’s Enlightened Pinot Grigio is a solid everyday white that ticks all the boxes: crisp, clean, food-friendly and affordable.

Our taste-testers repeatedly praised how balanced and versatile it feels, whether chilled on its own or alongside simple meals and casual gatherings.

“We love a white to pair with our spring/summer lunches and especially our seafood. This option ticked all the boxes …”

“I enjoyed the first sip to the last of this Pinot. Anything with pear and citrus is something I want to try and this lived up to that, but with a lighter alcohol content – which I appreciate! Enjoyed over dinner, it paired really nicely with the food I was eating. This wine is something I’d happily recommend to others.”

“The wine offered just the right balance of fruity flavours – fresh and vibrant, but never overpowering or too sharp. It paired beautifully with both our light lunches and dinner, making every meal feel a bit more special. I also appreciated how crisp and refreshing it tasted, perfect for unwinding and enjoying good company. Definitely a Pinot Grigio I’d reach for again.”

Your lower-alcohol go-to

The team rates Enlightened wines 4.34 out of 5 and recommends them for anyone on the hunt for flavour-forward wine with less alcohol. They’re bright, modern and made for the kind of moments where you’d love a glass, but still want to feel good afterwards.

Find Chapel Hill Enlightened at Dan Murphy’s right now for $17.99 each.

_{This article first appeared on Best SIPS.}

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