Fit & Fabulous: Wine You Can Keep in Your Low-calorie Lifestyle

If you are watching your caloric intake or working to cut down on carbs, you’re probably thinking alcohol is a big no-no. Well, I’m here to say you don’t need to give up on a nice glass of wine to succeed in your dietary goals. Let’s take a look at why and some great options in low-calorie wines.

First, is it possible for a wine to taste great and be low in calories? Absolutely! 

Second, explain how? Two words: Alcohol (ABV) and Sugar (I know… I know… that’s three words. The “and” is superfluous, so I stand by my count).

The level of alcohol (ABV) impacts the calorie count because alcohol contains approximately 7 cals per gram. The lower the ABV, the lower the calories. All wine bottles are required to have the alcohol level written on the bottle. Look for ABVs below 13% to keep the calorie count in check. 

White wines tend to be lower in alcohol thus lower in calories however one can definitely find some great red options lower in alcohol. (Don’t worry… I’ve done the looking for you. A list of lovely wine options low in alcohol is at the end of this blog)

On to sugar content. The drier the wine, the lower the sugar level, and thus, the lower the calories. The key words are Extra Brut, Trocken, Sec, and Dry.

Climate and the varietal greatly affect the content of sugar in wine. Warmer climates tend to produce grapes with more sugar than grapes grown in cooler climates. Since the alcohol in wine comes from the fermentation process, turning sugar into alcohol, cooler climates tend to be lower in sugar and in alcohol.  

White varietals normally contain less sugar than red. I say “normally” as climate, discussed above, and winemaker choices can impact this statement. The longer a grape is left on the vine, the more sugar it develops. Length of fermentation also determines sugar content as longer fermentation results in less remaining sugar. Additionally, some wines may have sugar added after fermentation to change the taste of the final product.

Alright, let’s put a cork in this blog…

Just because you’re watching calories or cutting your carbs, doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy a lovely glass of wine now and then. Look for low ABV and wines labeled as Dry. 

Some great varietals that are typically lower calories per serving are Kabinett Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, and Extra Brut sparkling wine. Remember to watch your pour. A serving of wine is 5 oz (148ml).

Check out some of my favorite calorie conscious wines available right here at SaratogaWine.com: