Ever wonder which wines are friendlier for your waistline? Or, did seeing March 1st on your calendar also reminded you about that New Year’s Eve goal you set: to not resemble a wine barrel because of your love of red wine.
If you’re counting calories, you’ll need to know how your wine measures up. The good news is it’s not about the wine’s color. The amount of alcohol and residual sugar in your wine will determine the calories–higher amounts of either equals more calories. Table wines usually have 10% – 14% alcohol and less sugar, while dessert wines usually have 14% – 20% alcohol and more sugar. So, the dryer and less sweet a wine tastes, the fewer the calories.
The type of grape used and winemaker’s technique ultimately determine the amount of calories in a bottle. Here are some handy estimates for 4oz servings (standard restaurant amount):
White Table Wines Dry whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis have the fewest calories (appr. 80). Wines like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Viognier follow with higher calories, and then sweeter whites like Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Moscato.
Red Table Wines Dry red wines give you just a few more calories than dry whites (appr. 90). The differences amongst them are miniscule, but your Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Saugvinon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah give you the least. A Bordeaux or Merlot may have 1-2 extra calories, and a Chianti or dry Zinfandel an additional 1-2 calories.
Champagnes Enjoy your extra dry/brut champagnes and Proseccos–they are at the lower end (appr. 100-105 calories per serving). A sweet sparkling wine like Asti Spumante can take you up to 140 calories.
Dessert Wines (Ports, Sherries, Muscatels) It’s a good thing they are often served in small glasses, because a 4oz serving is about 160-185 calories.
Aside from dessert wines, the differences really aren’t that big! If you want to be more exact, a number of sites have comprehensive lists and others also provide carb and alcohol estimates. Wine bottle labels also state their alcohol percentages. However, you don’t necessarily need the exact amount of calories. Knowing how alcohol and sweetness effects your wine will always help you make the right decision. Happy counting!
Wine Glass 