Short definition
A wine that feels delicate and refreshing in your mouth, with lower alcohol and a leaner texture.
Light-bodied wines feel closer to water or skim milk in weight. [Pinot Grigio](/wines/pinot-grigio), Beaujolais, and Vinho Verde are textbook examples. They rarely top 12.5% alcohol. These wines shine with lighter fare — salads, shellfish, fresh vegetables — or on their own as aperitifs. Do not mistake light for weak; a great Burgundy is light-bodied but deeply flavored.