Brancott Flight Song Pinot Grigio

Brancott Flight Song Pinot Grigio is a lower-alcohol Marlborough Pinot Grigio bottled at 9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2019 Los Angeles International Wine Competition (2018 vintage) and a second Gold at the 2018 San Francisco International Wine Competition, affirming that reduced alcohol does not mean reduced quality.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9%  |  Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand  |  Style: Lower-Alcohol White Wine  |  Winery: Brancott Estate

Production & Heritage

Brancott Estate operates from Liverpool Street in Blenheim, in the heart of Marlborough — New Zealand's most celebrated wine region. Flight Song Pinot Grigio achieves its 9% ABV through an early-harvest approach: winemakers pick the grapes earlier in summer when natural sugar levels are still low, which means the finished wine is approximately 20% lower in alcohol without any post-fermentation alcohol removal. This natural winemaking method also yields a lighter-calorie profile of roughly 92 calories per five-ounce serving, distinguishing it from standard Pinot Grigios that typically sit between 12% and 13.5% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with white blossom and honeysuckle before shifting into riper stone-fruit territory — lychee, peach, and a delicate lime leaf accent. A gentle honey note ties the bouquet together.

Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-forward, led by fresh nashi pear and white peach. At mid-palate, guava and almond add unexpected depth, while a creamy texture balances the wine's lifted acidity. The overall impression is juicy yet restrained, never heavy.

Finish: Clean and moderate in length, with pear carrying through as the dominant lingering note. A thread of citrus freshness keeps the conclusion lively rather than sweet.

How to Drink Flight Song Pinot Grigio

Serve well chilled, between 7–10°C (45–50°F), in a standard white wine glass to concentrate the aromatics. Its lower alcohol and bright acidity also make it a natural base for wine-forward mixed drinks. A White Sangria benefits from the wine's pear and peach character without pushing the alcohol level too high. A Spritz — topped with soda water and a slice of Asian pear — plays to the wine's natural effervescence of flavor. A Hugo Cocktail, traditionally made with elderflower and prosecco, works beautifully here because Flight Song's floral nose mirrors elderflower's aromatic profile.

Best For

• Weeknight dining when a full-strength wine feels like too much
• Outdoor gatherings and warm-weather entertaining
• Introducing lighter-alcohol wines to friends who enjoy traditional Pinot Grigio
• Pairing with lunch menus where session-friendly ABV is preferred

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Flight Song Pinot Grigio taste like? It leads with fresh pear and white peach, supported by subtle almond and guava, and finishes with clean citrus acidity. The overall profile is fruit-driven, light-bodied, and refreshing.

How does Flight Song compare to standard Brancott Estate Pinot Grigio? The core difference is alcohol content — Flight Song sits at 9% ABV versus the roughly 12–13% of Brancott Estate's standard Pinot Grigio. Flight Song achieves this through earlier grape harvesting, resulting in a lighter body and lower calorie count while retaining varietal character.

Is Flight Song Pinot Grigio good for casual sipping? Its 9% ABV and bright fruit profile make it one of the more approachable and sessionable Pinot Grigios available, well suited to relaxed, everyday drinking.

Where is Flight Song Pinot Grigio made? It is produced by Brancott Estate in Blenheim, located in the Marlborough region of New Zealand's South Island — the country's largest and most recognized wine-producing area.

What foods pair well with Flight Song Pinot Grigio? Light seafood such as pan-seared scallops or prawn salad matches the wine's delicate body. Fresh Vietnamese spring rolls echo its lime leaf and lychee aromatics. Mild soft cheeses like burrata complement its creamy mid-palate. A simple arugula-and-pear salad mirrors the wine's core fruit note. Lightly spiced Thai green curry works because the lower alcohol and bright acidity cool the palate between bites.

What sizes does Flight Song Pinot Grigio come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Flight Song Pinot Grigio worth the price? Flight Song positions as an entry-level expression within the lower-alcohol wine category, and its dual Gold Medal wins at major international competitions suggest strong value for a wine in this tier.

Why Flight Song Pinot Grigio?

What separates Flight Song from the growing number of lower-alcohol wines is its production method — grapes are harvested earlier in summer at naturally lower sugar levels rather than having alcohol stripped out after fermentation. That distinction matters because it preserves the aromatic intensity and varietal character that mechanical dealcoholization can diminish. Two Gold Medals at respected international competitions confirm the approach delivers results. For drinkers seeking a genuine Marlborough Pinot Grigio at 9% ABV and approximately 92 calories per glass, Flight Song remains one of the more credible options in the category.