Amount of alcohol present in wine, normally expressed as percentage by volume (% vol. on the label). A wine at 12 % vol. therefore contains 120ml of alcohol per litre of wine.

Most table wines fall between 9% and 15%. Fortified wines such as Port and Sherry are around 20%. Spirits are usually bottled at 40-43%.

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Decanter Staff
Decanter Staff
Decanter Team

Content written and compiled by the Decanter Team