PizzaExpress promote pizza and wine for 600 calories

5th January 2010, 10:31am

PizzaExpress is encouraging health-conscious diners to still eat out during the new year by introducing a lower calorie, lower alcohol wine to its popular ‘Leggera’ (Italian for ‘light’) range.

The move allows customers to have a pizza and a glass of wine for around 600 calories, ideal for those watching their weight after the Christmas splurge.

The pizza chain says it is the first restaurant on the high street to develop a wine which is lower in both calories and alcohol "…while really delivering on taste". 

Leggera wines contain 25% fewer calories and 25% less sugar than an average wine from its wine list, meaning that a 175ml glass is just 87 calories. The Leggera Pinot Bianco is 9% alcohol and the Leggera Sangiovese is 9.5% ABV. The secret behind their reduced calories and lower alcohol content lies in the early harvesting of the grapes, while sugar levels are still low. The Leggera Sangiovese is blended with super-ripe Sicilian Merlot to fill out the fruit profile. 

Nutritionist Juliette Kellow said: "Weight conscious diners who want to control portions and cut calories welcome more choice on the high street. Lower calorie, lower alcohol wine in restaurants allows them to go out for dinner and enjoy a tasty meal and glass of wine without sacrifice." 

Master of Wine Adrian Garforth has been working with PizzaExpress for six years to develop the wine selection on the high street, introducing new grapes, wine styles and regions to its customers. Predominantly an Italian selection, wines are listed according to style and each with its own tasting note to help guide customers in their choice.

Garforth, said: "Lower calorie, lower alcohol wines have been an increasingly important discussion point for both the trade and the consumer over the last few months and it's great to see PizzaExpress take this on board. We've worked with their growers to deliver a really great tasting wine and developed a winning concept." 

PizzaExpress has around 370 restaurants nationwide.

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• 18 Nov 2010 - PizzaExpress teams up with Oxfam

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