Calories in White Wine
If you're trying to lose weight, white wine may be a good option for the times you wish to have a drink. While many types of white wine exist, several are relatively low in calories and moderate intake can be part of a healthy weight loss diet.
Calories in White Wine
Not all white wines are the same. Whites have varying degrees of sweetness arising from the sugar content of the wine, and higher sugar content leads to more calories. Likewise, alcohol is slightly more calorically dense (seven calories per gram as in alcohol as opposed to four calories per gram in carbohydrates) than carbohydrates, so higher alcohol wines typically contain more calories. With so many different varietals, it's important for those watching caloric intake to know exactly how many calories are in the glass of white wine. Of course, caloric intake isn't the only factor you should consider when imbibing on your favorite glass of white wine. You also need to consider carbohydrates if you're aiming for a well balanced diet.
The following table gives you the amount of calories in white wine, as well as the carb content of a five-ounce glass of white wine, according to Calories in Food and CalorieKing.
| Calories in White Wine | ||
| White Varietal | Calories | Carbs |
| Chardonnay | 95 | 1.1 grams |
| Pinot Grigio | 122 | 2 grams |
| Riesling (dry) | 118 | 5 grams |
| Sauvignon Blanc | 119 | 3 grams |
| Champagne, Brut | 96 | 1.5 grams |
| Gewurztraminer | 119 | 4 grams |
| Dessert wine | 227 | 19 grams |
About Alcohol Calories
Many people counting calories or trying to lose weight and believe the only thing that matters in weight loss is caloric intake. While this is basically true when it comes to food, alcohol calories are different because your body converts and burns them differently than other food and drink.
Alcohol to Acetate
When you drink any type of alcohol, your body converts the majority of it into acetate, not fat. In fact, according to a study printed in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, less than five percent of the alcohol you consume is converted into fat. The liver converts the remaining 95 percent is converted to acetate. The same study reported that when you consume alcohol, it slows your metabolism by nearly 73 percent. This occurs because your body burns acetate as fuel first, and then resorts to burning fat after all acetate is depleted. If you are trying to lose weight and burn stored body fat, consuming alcohol can interrupt this process.
Tips for Reducing Wine Calories
If you'd like the occasional glass of white wine, you can reduce the calories you consume and minimize its effects on your metabolism in the following ways:
- Consider drinking non-alcoholic wines. Without alcohol, the wine will be slightly less calorically dense, and your fat metabolism will continue as always.
- Drier wines have fewer calories, so try a glass of Pinot Grigio (or Pinot Gris) or Sauvignon Blanc.
- Make a white wine spritzer by cutting wine with club soda.
- Moderate alcohol intake, having four ounces of white wine only once per week.
Wine and Weight Loss
While white wine is one of the less calorically dense alcoholic beverages, it still contains calories and affects your body's ability to metabolize fat. If you are trying to lose weight, then an occasional glass of white wine will be unlikely to sabotage your efforts. However, consuming high sugar or high alcohol whites will add calories to your diet that you do not need. By selecting lower sugar/alcohol wines, choosing smaller portions, and indulging only occasionally, you'll be able to keep your diet on track.
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