How Many Calories Are in a 750 ml Bottle of Cabernet?

November 23, 2025 •

4 min read

On average, a standard 750 ml bottle of dry Cabernet Sauvignon contains approximately 600–650 calories, with the exact amount influenced primarily by its alcohol content. Unlike food, wine's calorie count isn't printed on the label, making it difficult for consumers to understand the energy they are consuming.

Quick Summary

A standard 750ml bottle of dry Cabernet Sauvignon typically contains 600-650 calories, sourced mainly from alcohol and minimal residual sugar. The wine's alcohol by volume (ABV) is the primary determinant of its total caloric content, with higher ABV wines being more calorie-dense.

Key Points

Average Range: A standard 750 ml bottle of dry Cabernet Sauvignon contains roughly 600–650 calories, but this can vary.
Alcohol is Key: The vast majority of calories in wine come from its alcohol content (ABV), not from sugars.
ABV Correlation: A higher ABV, such as 15%, results in more calories per bottle than a lower ABV wine.
Minimal Sugar in Dry Wines: Dry Cabernet Sauvignon has very little residual sugar, meaning sugar contributes negligibly to its calorie total.
Comparison is Important: A Cabernet bottle has a similar caloric load to other dry reds but significantly less than fortified or sweet dessert wines.
Check the Label: Since nutrition labels aren't mandatory on wine, the ABV is your best indicator for estimating calories.

Understanding Wine Calories

Wine, including Cabernet Sauvignon, derives its calories from two main components: alcohol and residual sugar. Unlike carbohydrates and protein, which provide 4 calories per gram, alcohol packs a denser punch at approximately 7 calories per gram. This makes a wine's alcohol by volume (ABV) the most significant factor in its total calorie count.

The Role of Alcohol in Calorie Content

For a standard 750 ml bottle, the ABV percentage directly correlates with its caloric load. Most dry red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon have a typical ABV range of 13–15%. Let’s break down how this impacts the calories:

A bottle with a 13.5% ABV contains approximately 567 calories.
A bottle with a 14% ABV contains around 588 calories.
A bottle with a 15% ABV contains roughly 630 calories.

This simple formula illustrates why a bold, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from a warm climate, which tends to have a higher ABV, will be more calorific than a lighter red.

How Residual Sugar Affects Calories

The other factor contributing to calories in wine is residual sugar. This is the natural grape sugar that remains in the wine after fermentation has stopped. A dry Cabernet Sauvignon has very little residual sugar, often less than one gram per glass. However, sweeter wines, like Port or certain Zinfandels, will have significantly higher sugar content and, therefore, more calories. In a dry Cabernet Sauvignon, the contribution of residual sugar to the overall calorie count is minimal compared to the alcohol.

Calorie Comparison: Cabernet vs. Other Wines

To put a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon into perspective, let's compare its calorie count to other popular wines. This highlights the variability across different types and helps in making mindful drinking choices. The following table provides an estimated calorie range per 750 ml bottle based on average ABV and sweetness levels.


Wine Type	Typical ABV	Calorie Estimate (per 750ml bottle)	Calorie Source	Notes
Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry)	13–15%	600–650 calories	Mostly alcohol	Higher end of the red wine spectrum.
Pinot Noir (Dry)	12–14%	570–620 calories	Mostly alcohol	Lighter body and slightly lower ABV.
Chardonnay (Dry)	12–14%	580–640 calories	Mostly alcohol	Comparable to dry red wines.
Dry Riesling	10–12%	500–550 calories	Mostly alcohol	Lower ABV and low sugar.
Moscato (Sweet)	5–7%	550–650+ calories	Alcohol + High sugar	Lower alcohol but high residual sugar.
Port (Fortified)	19–20%	900–1200+ calories	Alcohol + Very high sugar	Very high ABV and sugar content.

What to Consider for a Health-Conscious Choice

When monitoring your calorie intake, a dry Cabernet Sauvignon can be a reasonable option among red wines. However, context is key. The number of glasses you pour from a bottle matters greatly. A standard 5-ounce (150 ml) pour from a 14% ABV bottle is about 125 calories. Given that a 750 ml bottle holds five such servings, a full bottle is roughly 625 calories. This can be a significant portion of a daily caloric intake, which is why moderation is essential.

A Deeper Look at Macronutrients

Beyond calories, wine is not a source of significant nutrition. It contains negligible amounts of protein and virtually no fat. The small amount of carbohydrates present in a dry Cabernet comes from the minimal residual sugar. While some research notes the presence of antioxidants like resveratrol in red wine, health experts stress that these potential benefits do not outweigh the risks of excessive alcohol consumption.

Making Informed Decisions

Since winemakers are not required to list nutritional information on bottles, paying attention to the ABV on the label is the most practical way to estimate the calorie content. For those seeking lower-calorie alternatives, opting for dry wines with a lower ABV is the best strategy. Additionally, limiting serving sizes and being mindful of intake can help manage calories from wine.

Conclusion: How many calories are in a 750 ml bottle of cabernet?

A standard 750 ml bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon contains approximately 600–650 calories, primarily derived from its alcohol content. This estimate varies based on the wine's alcohol by volume (ABV), with higher ABV wines containing more calories. Factors like residual sugar play a minimal role in a dry Cabernet. For those managing calorie intake, understanding the ABV is the most reliable tool for estimating caloric load, emphasizing that moderation is key when enjoying this popular red wine. By paying attention to ABV and serving sizes, you can make informed choices that fit into a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Key Factors Influencing Calories in a Cabernet Bottle

Alcohol Content (ABV): The higher the ABV, the higher the calorie count, as alcohol provides a substantial 7 calories per gram.
Residual Sugar: Dry Cabs have very low residual sugar, so sugar contributes minimally to overall calories.
Serving Size: A standard 750 ml bottle contains about five 5-ounce servings, which helps in calculating total consumption.
Wine Type: The total calories are significantly higher in sweeter or fortified wines compared to a dry Cabernet.
Vinification Process: How a wine is made, especially regarding the fermentation process and whether it is fortified, can affect the final calorie count.

Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way is to use its Alcohol by Volume (ABV) percentage. A rough calculation is (750ml x ABV% x 8) / 1000, then multiply that result by 7. For a 14% ABV wine, this is (750 x 14 x 8) / 1000 = 84 grams of alcohol, and 84 x 7 = 588 calories.

Yes, absolutely. Since alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, a Cabernet with a 15% ABV will have a higher calorie count than one with a 13% ABV, assuming similar residual sugar.

Compared to other red wine varietals, a dry Cabernet is a relatively moderate-calorie choice. It is lower in calories than sweeter wines like Port or some Zinfandels but slightly higher than lighter, lower-ABV reds like Pinot Noir.

Residual sugar is the natural sugar from the grapes that remains after the yeast has completed its fermentation process. In dry wines like Cabernet, nearly all the sugar is fermented into alcohol, leaving very little behind.

Based on a standard 14% ABV, a 5-ounce glass of Cabernet contains approximately 122–125 calories. This can fluctuate based on the specific wine and its alcohol content.

Generally, yes. Lighter-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons often come from cooler climates, resulting in lower sugar levels in the grapes and, consequently, a lower alcohol percentage and fewer calories.

Yes. If you're looking for lower-calorie red wine options, you could choose a varietal with a naturally lower ABV, such as some Pinot Noirs or Beaujolais. You could also look for specially marketed 'light' or 'low-calorie' wine products.