Expert Blind Tasting Confirms New ButterLight Chardonnay Delivers
Exceptional Flavor with Lower Alcohol and Fewer Calories
Napa, CA (April 10, 2025) – Butter Wines, the leader in premium Chardonnay with Butter Chardonnay—the top-selling single SKU of premium Chardonnay1—is proud to announce that NEW ButterLight Chardonnay has been named “#1 Best Tasting Light Wine” by The Tasting Panel in a blind tasting conducted by a panel of industry experts.2 Tasted against 13 wines, ButterLight Chardonnay impressed the panel with its refreshing, bright flavors and signature, creamy texture—all at just 85 calories and 8.5% ABV per serving.3
“When we first set out to make a lower alcohol wine under the Butter label, we knew it had to live up to Butter’s promise of great flavor at an amazing price point, while having meaningfully lower calories and alcohol,” said John Anthony Truchard, Founder and CEO of John Anthony Wine & Spirits. “ButterLight delivers on all fronts—terrific taste, 40% less alcohol, and almost a third fewer calories. It’s an honor to receive this recognition from The Tasting Panel in a blind tasting across all varietals of light wines. We’re delighted to have crafted an exceptional quality wine for those looking for a delicious, lighter option.”
In the elegant setting of Phoenix’s iconic Wrigley Mansion, seven seasoned beverage professionals from the retail and restaurant sectors gathered to taste and evaluate a curated selection of 13 light wines, between 8–9% ABV. During the first round, eight light wines were judged blindly on a 1–5 scale, with “5” representing the highest rating. The top three wines advanced to a second round, where they were re-tasted. Standing out in both rounds, ButterLight Chardonnay was unanimously named the #1 Best Tasting Light Wine. The expert judging panel included:
- Kathleen Schmitt-Foxwell, Wine Buyer, Tarbell’s Wine Store
- Ben Higgins, Beverage Director, La Zozzona at The Hyatt Doubletree
- Scott Fraser, Beverage Manager, Elephante Restaurant
- Cricket Pearson, GM, Wine Buyer, Pomo Restaurant Group
- Bianca Cranston, Lead bartender, Pomo Pizzeria
- Daniel Peck, Wine Director, Pesto’s Italian Ristorante
- Hilary Adams, Wine Buyer, Trevor’s Wine & Spirits
Launched in January 2025, ButterLight is crafted with the same grapes selected for Butter Chardonnay at their perfect ripeness, cold-fermented, partially dealcoholized, and carefully blended to 8.5% ABV. The wine’s bright flavors of tangy lemon mousse are laced with hints of vanilla shortbread and has a smooth creamy texture. At just 8.5% ABV and 85 calories per glass, ButterLight is a terrific choice for wine drinkers seeking a lighter option that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
“Receiving this accolade in blind panel across all light wines is a testament to the extensive taste testing, research, innovation, and commitment to quality we made while crafting ButterLight,” said Jeff Kandarian, Executive Winemaker, John Anthony Wine & Spirits. “As demand for lighter alcohol, lower calorie wines has grown so has the expectation of flavor, complexity, and finish. ButterLight Chardonnay is a great addition to the Butter Wines premium portfolio and we look forward to bringing more quality innovation to the category.”
The Butter portfolio now comprises Butter Chardonnay (also in ButterCans—the top-selling Chardonnay in a can4, Butter Cab, NEW Butter Sauv Blanc, NEW Butter Pinot Noir, and NEW ButterLight Chardonnay. Found in grocery stores across the country, the widely-recognizable Butter yellow label has become synonymous with elevated quality at an approachable price. Butter Wines’ expansion into lower-ABV wine sets a new uncompromising standard for light wine.
All Butter Wines can be found under $20 (MSRP) in local grocery, convenience, and liquor stores, at select on-premise accounts, and online at DrinkButter.com/Find. Check out Butter Wines on Facebook and Instagram @JaMCellars, #JaMCellars, #ButterWines, and at DrinkButter.com.
About Butter Wines
Napa Valley vintners John and Michele Truchard founded JaM Cellars in 2008—easy-to-love affordable wines crafted in response to the economic downturn. JaM Cabernet was the first release, quickly followed by Butter Chardonnay. Butter Chardonnay experienced explosive growth earning critical acclaim, multi-year Hot Brand and Blue Chip Brand awards. Today Butter Chardonnay, California is the biggest-selling single SKU and the number two-selling brand of premium Chardonnay1. Demand for Butter led to the extension of the portfolio which includes Butter Cab, Butter Sauv Blanc, Butter Pinot Noir, and NEW ButterLight Chardonnay. Butter Chardonnay is also available in fun, grab-and-go, single-serve 250ml ButterCans—each about a glass and a half, also available in a 4-pack. All Butter wines are made to be easy to love and over-deliver in their price point. Check out Butter Wines on Facebook and Instagram @JaMCellars, #JaMCellars, #DrinkButter, and at DrinkButter.com.
About John Anthony Wine & Spirits
Founder John Anthony Truchard started John Anthony Wine & Spirits in 2003 with signature Napa Valley wine brand, John Anthony Vineyards, which continues to receive critical acclaim today. The company has experienced significant growth creating several wine brands including popular Butter Wines; Serial Wines, Paso Robles—a series of killer-quality wines from this thrilling region; and Weather Wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs from Sonoma Coast. John Anthony Wine & Spirits’ expansion beyond wine began with Johnny Tejas, a real-Tequila soda RTD; continues with new Japanese Sake brand, Hachidori; and more offerings to come. Graced with a vision to become the next billion-dollar beverage company, the company continues to expand its portfolio in key growth sectors building on four core pillars: Authenticity of products we believe in: Application of craftsmanship; Prioritization of “Great Flavor First”; and Growth through anticipation and innovation. Learn more at JohnAnthonyWS.com.
- Source: Nielsen: Total US xAOC, 52wks Ending 01.25.2025, Chardonnay, $13+, 750mL ↩︎
- Source: The Tasting Panel, April 2025, Blind Tasting of Industry Professionals Against 13 Other Wines Light Wines ↩︎
- ButterLight per 5 fl oz. Average analysis: 8.5% ABV, 85 Calories, 4g Carbs, 0g Protein, 0g Fat. 40% less alcohol compared to regular Butter Chardonnay ↩︎
- Source: Nielsen, Chardonnay, 250mL, 01.25.25, 52-week, Total US xAOC ↩︎
