Wine
How many calories are in a glass of wine?
Whether you’re into counting calories or not, it really is important for your health to consider what you are consuming, and that includes your favourite wines.
So, with that in mind, how many calories are there in a glass of wine?
When it comes to calculating the total calories in each particular wine, you have to consider two important sources – the alcohol content (Alcohol by Volume – ABV) and sugar content. This really shouldn’t be too much of a surprise – after all, wine is the delicious product of fermented crushed grapes. Responsible for seven calories per gram, alcohol contributes to the most calories in wine, while residual sugar accounts for around four calories per gram. So, generally, the rule is that the higher the alcohol content of a wine, the more calories you will be consuming.
Here in Australia, the measure for a ‘standard drink’ of alcohol is any drink containing 10 grams of alcohol. This measure applies to all types of alcohol including wine with a ‘standard 100ml glass’ containing between 70 to 90 calories. Having said that, the general wine pour in most restaurants, hotels, pubs and clubs is usually 150ml, and sometimes more.
What type of wine is lowest in calories?
Taking into account both alcohol and sugar content, on average, you can expect sweet and dry dessert wines to be the most calorific, followed by red wines, Rosé, white wines, then Sparkling whites.
How many calories are in a glass of white wine?
From around 11% to 13% alcohol content, white wines have an average of approximately 105 to 118 calories per 150ml glass. This, of course, depends on the varietal and style with some Sparkling wines and Pinot G’s contributing just 90 to 100 calories per glass while Chardonnay has about 118 to 120.
- How much sugar is in a glass of white wine? In a typical glass of white wine, you're looking at about 1-2 grams of sugar. However, it can vary between varieties, with drier wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc generally on the lower end.
- How many calories are in a bottle of white wine? A standard bottle of white wine, which is 750 ml, usually contains around 600-700 calories. The exact amount depends on the specific wine and its alcohol content. Keep in mind that sweeter wines tend to be higher in calories due to their sugar content.
How many calories are in a glass of red wine?
Red wines mostly have a higher alcohol with the average around 13.5% and average calorie count of 115. However, like white wines, this depends on the varietal and style with Pinot Noir at around 12.50% alcohol containing about 106 calories, while Shiraz and Cabernet at 14% have approximately 122 calories.
- How much sugar is in a glass of red wine? Red wine generally contains around 1-2 grams of sugar per glass. For lower sugar options, go for drier red varieties like Tempranillo or Cabernet Sauvignon.
- How many calories in a bottle of red wine? A 750 ml bottle of red wine typically has 600-700 calories. Keep in mind that drier wines may be on the lower end of this range, while sweeter varieties can be a bit higher.
So, what does each 150ml glass of your favourite wine contribute to your calorific intake?
Champagne is synonymous with celebration, but for those mindful of how many calories they’re consuming, it’s beneficial to know the calories in Champagne, or in your favourite Australian Sparkling White. Knowing the calories in our favourite drinks can allow us to relish the joyous moments, like those special occasions and celebrations, with a balanced approach.
Check out the listing below to find out the approximate number of calories in some of Australia’s most popular white and red varietals.
Calories in a glass of wine
Varietal/style 150ml
|
Approx. calories
|
ABV%
|
Pinot Gris/Grigio |
90 |
11.50 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
90 |
11.50 |
Riesling |
101 |
11.50 |
Dry Rosé |
106 |
12.50 |
Sparkling White |
103 |
12 |
Gewurztraminer |
110 |
11 |
Semillon |
110 |
11 |
Chardonnay |
118 |
13.50 |
Pinot Noir |
106 |
12.50 |
Cabernet Franc |
105 |
12.50 |
Sangiovese |
110 |
13 |
Tempranillo |
113 |
13.50 |
Merlot |
114 |
13 |
Grenache |
114 |
13 |
Malbec |
118 |
14 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
122 |
14 |
Shiraz |
122 |
14 |
Sharing wine with food, family and friends is one of life’s greatest joys, so when you do, we suggest you do so in moderation with great Australian wines – it’s all about the quality!
Is alcohol-free wine fattening?
Alcohol-free wine generally contains fewer calories than regular wine due to the absence of alcohol. Nevertheless, it's wise to be mindful of potential added sugars or flavourings that could contribute to the overall calorie content.
But what about other alcoholic beverages?
How many calories in wine vs beer? And what has more calories, wine or whiskey?
When comparing wine and beer, the calorie content can vary, but generally, wine tends to have fewer calories than beer. A glass of wine might have around 120-130 calories, while a standard beer can range from 150 to 200 calories per 350ml (a standard schooner glass is 425ml). As for wine vs whiskey, whiskey typically has more calories. A standard shot of whiskey can have about 100 calories or more, largely from its alcohol content.