I’ll be honest—I usually pick wine based on two things: the prettiness of the label and whether or not it will shame me in front of my snobbier friends. Enter Mezzacorona Ventessa Wines. Not only do they have the kind of sleek bottles that look like they belong on an Instagram-worthy picnic blanket, but they’ve also cleverly leaned into the “light and healthy” angle. At 9% ABV, these wines are basically saying, “Go ahead, you can drink us without falling asleep in the appetizer course.” It’s wine with training wheels, and honestly—I’m not mad about it.
First up, the Ventessa Pinot Grigio. It’s crisp, floral, and makes me feel like I should be wearing oversized sunglasses while pretending I “just got back from the Dolomites.” The wine itself is light enough that you can have a glass (or three) without worrying about calling your ex. Paired with fried calamari, it’s a win. Paired with me sitting on my couch in sweatpants, eating potato chips, also a win.
Then there’s the Ventessa Pinot Grigio Rosé. Rosé is the official sponsor of summer, and this one does the job. It tastes like someone bottled a pink sunset and sprinkled in just enough grapefruit to keep you from mistaking it for juice. They say it goes well with Mediterranean food, but let’s be real—it also pairs beautifully with leftover pizza. Bonus points: you can use it in a spritz and suddenly look like you planned your life out instead of just stumbling into the weekend.
And finally, the Ventessa Red Blend. This one is for when you want to seem sophisticated but also don’t want your mouth to feel like it’s been assaulted by tannins. It’s soft, juicy, and light enough to drink during summer without sweating through your shirt. It pairs well with fish and cheese platters, but I found it pairs even better with watching Netflix while pretending you’re “exploring the terroir.”
In the end, Mezzacorona Ventessa Wines feel like the grown-up version of “diet soda.” They’re lighter, fresher, and somehow still fun. Will they transform you into a sun-kissed European effortlessly swirling your glass by the seaside? No. But they will make you feel like maybe, just maybe, you’re making a slightly healthier bad decision—and isn’t that all we can ask for from wine?