Low-calorie wine is gaining popularity as consumers seek to maintain a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing the pleasure of enjoying a glass of wine. If you’re aiming to reduce your intake of sugar and alcohol, exploring lower-calorie options allows you to enjoy wine without compromising your goals. Some wines naturally possess lower alcohol content, particularly those originating from cooler climates, without sacrificing flavor.
Understanding Calories in Wine
Based on average grape must weights (the sugar level in wine grapes), low-calorie wines typically contain between 92 and 120 calories per 5 oz (148 ml) glass. The driest wines with the lowest alcohol content generally range from 9% to 12% alcohol by volume (ABV). While some wines, such as Moscato d’Asti, have even lower ABV (around 5.5%), they tend to be much sweeter, impacting the overall calorie count.
Alcohol isn't the only source of calories in wine. Sugar content also plays a significant role. Here's a general breakdown:
- Dry Wines: 0-6 sugar calories
- Off-Dry Wines: 10-30 sugar calories
- Sweet Wines: 30-72 sugar calories
- Very Sweet Wines: 72-130 sugar calories
Key Factors in Low-Calorie Wine Production
The key to finding low-calorie wines lies in understanding the relationship between climate and grape sweetness. Cooler climates generally produce grapes with lower sugar content when ripe. This is why a Malbec from France will taste different from one from Mendoza, Argentina. Wine producers determine the average alcohol content of regional wines by looking up regional classifications on minimum must weight at harvest. Must weight refers to the sweetness of a grape at harvest.
Exploring Low-Calorie Wine Options
Here are some specific wine varieties and styles to consider when seeking lower-calorie options:
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White Wines:
- Sauvignon Blanc: This crisp, refreshing dry white wine offers green and herbaceous flavors. With an average of only 80 calories per serving, it pairs well with lean white meats, seafood, and light dishes seasoned with herbs like thyme, mint, parsley, and tarragon. Sauvignon Blanc translates to "wild white" in French, capturing its subtle wildness.
- Chardonnay: Chardonnay offers a range of flavors, often with oaky or buttery notes and hints of fruit. At around 90 calories per glass, it's best enjoyed with lighter dishes like chicken, fish, and vegetables. Bread and Butter Sliced Chardonnay offers a particularly low-calorie option, with only 86 calories per 5-ounce serving and 9% alcohol. It boasts fresh and balanced flavors with notes of citrus, orchard fruit, and crushed stone.
- Alsace Blanc: The basic ‘blanc’ category in Alsace, France makes everything from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat, and Sylvaner.
- Muscadet: This appellation in France produces a Pinot Grigio-like wine from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. With a dry profile and around 9.5% ABV, Muscadet offers a refreshing low-alcohol choice.
- Bordeaux Blanc (Sec): Bordeaux produces Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blends, typically found around 10.5% ABV.
- Kabinett Riesling: The word ‘Kabinett’ is a quality level for Riesling in Germany that is determined by the sweetness of the grapes at harvest.
- Grüner Veltliner Qualitätswein: ‘Qualitätswein’ is an Austrian quality designation for minimum grape sweetness. Look for wines with 9-10% ABV.
Red Wines:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: This full-bodied red wine averages around 95 calories per serving. It features rich berry and fruit flavors, along with earthy undertones like eucalyptus, coffee beans, and chocolate. Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with strong meat and vegetable dishes, including steak, wild game, eggplant, and salads containing arugula or radicchio.
- Bourgogne Rouge and Beaujolais: A basic bottle of the regional Bourgogne Rouge or Beaujolais will clock in just around 10.5% alcohol.
- Bordeaux Rouge: These wines are made with Merlot and the other Bordeaux red varieties.
- Alto Adige Reds: In Northern Italy, this tiny region produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Lagrein, and Pinot Nero from Alto Adige, all with about 11.5% alcohol.
- Lambrusco Secco: If you like red wine in the summer you might like a Dry Lambrusco (Secco). The off-dry style called ‘Semisecco’ has about 20 more calories.
Rosé Wines:
- White Zinfandel: If you are looking for the lowest-calorie red wine, White Zinfandel is a great option. It is a light and fruity low-calorie white wine that’s cool and refreshing to drink. Its taste varies, ranging from slightly sweet and fruity to more on the dry side. It pairs very well with lighter dishes like diet-friendly salads and cheeses.
Sparkling Wines:
- Brut Nature Champagne/Sparkling Wine: The term “Brut Nature” signifies a sparkling wine style with no added sweetness. Champagne and traditional method sparkling wines, particularly those labeled Brut Nature or with low/no dosage (added sugars), are excellent low-calorie options. Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut Sparkling Wine is a notable example, featuring crisp, clean, and lively flavors of melon, orchard fruits, and apples, complemented by notes of marzipan, biscuit dough, and minerality.
- Piedmont Gavi: Gavi is the name of the region in Piemont that primarily uses the Cortese grape.
Specific Brands & Examples:
- Lo Ca Malbec from Domaine Bousquet: This Argentinian Malbec boasts a low alcohol content of 9.5% and only 79 calories per serving. It is USDA Certified Organic, offering lively and fresh flavors of cherry, plum, and berry.
- Kendall Jackson Low Calorie Sauvignon Blanc: This wine contains only 85 calories per serving and 9% alcohol. It is vegan, gluten-free, and packaged in a lighter-weight bottle to reduce its carbon footprint.
- French Bloom: For those seeking alcohol-free options, French Bloom offers a sparkling wine made from dealcoholized organic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. It provides a crisp, light, and luxurious experience with notes of green apple, pear, and citrus.
Tips for Enjoying Wine While Watching Calories
- Be Realistic: You do not need to give up everything you love, including wine.
- Moderation is Key: Stick to one or two glasses of wine per week.
- Pair with Healthy Meals: Complement your wine with balanced and nutritious dishes.
- Be Mindful of Serving Size: Restaurants often pour larger servings than you would at home, so be aware of the amount you're consuming.
- Choose Lower-Calorie Options: Opt for the wine varieties and styles mentioned above.
- Look for Cool Climate Wines: Expect to find low-alcohol wines from cool climate wine growing regions.
Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions
Cutting calories doesn’t mean cutting corners on taste. The low and no alcohol trend has become increasingly popular in recent months, with consumers focusing on a healthy lifestyle that often includes cutting out or cutting back on alcohol or looking for options with lower calories. With this, more and more wineries are offering these types of selections or options with all alcohol removed. While we appreciate this trend, we still enjoy our wines at full strength.
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