How Much Sugar Is In Pearsecco?

January 2, 2026 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data, a standard 12-ounce can of pearsecco from brands like Woodchuck and Wicked Grove contains just 5 grams of total sugar. This surprisingly low sugar count is a key factor for consumers watching their intake, making it a competitive choice among alcoholic beverages.

Quick Summary

A standard 12-ounce serving of pearsecco typically contains 5 grams of total sugar. This low sugar level, often with some added sugar, is consistent across major brands and is derived from hard cider and pear juice concentrate. It offers a drier taste profile compared to many sweeter ciders or cocktails.

Key Points

Low Sugar Content: A typical 12-ounce can of pearsecco from brands like Woodchuck or Wicked Grove contains approximately 5 grams of total sugar.
Dry Profile: Pearsecco is fermented to have a dry, crisp finish, which means most of the fruit's natural sugar is converted into alcohol during production.
Added vs. Natural Sugar: For some brands like Wicked Grove, a portion of the sugar is added post-fermentation for flavor balance, while the rest comes naturally from pear juice concentrate.
Moderate Calories: At around 160 calories per 12-ounce can, pearsecco is a moderate-calorie choice, with calories stemming from both alcohol and sugars.
Check the Label: Sugar content can vary between different brands and even within product lines, so always check the specific nutritional information on the packaging.
Cider Spectrum: Pearsecco is significantly lower in sugar than many traditional or sweeter hard ciders, positioning it closer to drier wines in terms of sweetness.

Pearsecco's Sugar Content: Brand by Brand Breakdown

For most drinkers, the sugar content of their beverages is an important consideration, especially when it comes to sweet-sounding drinks like 'pearsecco'. The name itself, a blend of 'pear' and 'prosecco', suggests a certain level of fruit sweetness. However, the reality, particularly for leading brands, reveals a much drier profile. By examining the nutritional information from popular producers like Woodchuck and Wicked Grove, we can get a clear picture of how much sugar is in pearsecco.

Woodchuck Bubbly Pearsecco

Vermont-based Woodchuck is a well-known name in the cider world. Their Bubbly Pearsecco is designed to be a drier, sparkling alternative. Nutritional information for a standard 12-ounce can shows:

Total Sugar: 5g
Total Carbohydrates: 9g
Calories: 160
ABV: 6.1%

This breakdown indicates that Woodchuck's version is relatively low in sugar for a flavored cider, with the sweetness coming primarily from pear juice concentrate that is used in the brewing process. The 'bubbly' and 'dry' character is a deliberate result of the fermentation process, which consumes most of the natural sugars.

Wicked Grove Pearsecco (Aldi Brand)

Wicked Grove Pearsecco, which has been sold at Aldi, also features a very similar nutritional profile to its Woodchuck counterpart. For a 12-ounce can, the numbers are:

Total Sugar: 5g
Added Sugar: 3g
Total Carbohydrates: 9g
Calories: 160

Notably, the nutritional label for Wicked Grove specifies that 3 of the 5 grams of sugar are 'added sugars', while the remaining 2 grams are naturally occurring from the pear juice concentrate. This distinction can be important for those who monitor their intake of added sugars specifically.

What Influences Pearsecco's Sugar Level?

The relatively low sugar content in these pearsecco products can be attributed to several factors:

Fermentation: The yeast used during fermentation consumes the natural sugars in the fruit juice, converting them into alcohol. The longer the fermentation process, the drier the final product.
Ingredient Selection: Unlike some sweeter ciders that add significant amounts of sugar after fermentation to increase sweetness, pearsecco is specifically crafted for a dry finish. The primary ingredients are hard cider and pear juice concentrate.
Juice Concentrate: The use of concentrate allows manufacturers to control the flavor profile and sweetness without relying solely on fresh, sweet juice. For instance, Wicked Grove uses pear juice from concentrate, plus a small amount of added sugar for balance.

Comparison Table: Pearsecco vs. Other Beverages

To put pearsecco's sugar content into perspective, here is a comparison with other popular alcoholic drinks. Data is for a 12-ounce serving unless otherwise noted.


Beverage Type	Serving Size	Approximate Sugar (g)	Approximate Calories	Notes
Pearsecco (Woodchuck/Wicked Grove)	12 oz can	5g	160	Drier, bubbly finish
Strongbow Pear Cider	12 oz	~10g	~132 (smaller serving size on label)	Can be sweeter than pearsecco
Standard Hard Cider (e.g., sweeter varieties)	12 oz	15-25g	190-250	Much higher sugar content
Dry Prosecco	5 oz glass (~148ml)	1-2g	80-100	Very low sugar, but a different serving size
Regular Can of Soda	12 oz can	~39g	140	Significant sugar content
Light Beer	12 oz can	0-1g	100-120	Very low in sugar and carbs

This table illustrates that pearsecco, while not as dry as a light beer, is a much lower-sugar alternative to many standard hard ciders and sugary cocktails.

Making a Healthier Choice

For those concerned about their sugar intake, pearsecco represents a moderate option. Its sugar content is closer to drier wines than to sweeter ciders. However, the best way to make an informed choice is to always check the nutritional label of the specific brand you are purchasing, as recipes can change and variations can exist. For instance, while both Woodchuck and Wicked Grove offer a 'dry' version, some other 'pear secco' products may be formulated differently.

Furthermore, it's worth remembering that alcohol itself contains calories, and these contribute to your total intake. The 160 calories found in a 12-ounce can of pearsecco come from both the alcohol and the sugars. Those who are monitoring their overall caloric intake should factor in both components.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a bubbly, crisp beverage with a lower sugar profile, pearsecco is a viable option. For most mainstream versions, you can expect around 5 grams of sugar per 12-ounce can, placing it on the drier side of the cider spectrum and making it a refreshing alternative to heavier, sweeter drinks.

Woodchuck Cider's website offers further information on their product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with only 5 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving for popular brands, pearsecco is considered a relatively low-sugar alcoholic beverage compared to many other ciders, cocktails, and wines.

A 12-ounce can of pearsecco, from brands like Woodchuck and Wicked Grove, contains approximately 160 calories.

Not all of it. While some sugar comes naturally from pear juice concentrate, some brands, such as Wicked Grove, include a small amount of added sugar in their recipe to achieve the desired flavor profile.

Pearscecco generally has more sugar per serving than a typical glass of dry prosecco. A 12-ounce can of pearsecco contains about 5g of sugar, while a smaller 5-ounce glass of dry prosecco might only have 1-2g of sugar.

Yes, as a hard cider made from pears and other fruit products, pearsecco is naturally gluten-free. It does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients like wheat or barley.

The flavor is derived from hard cider and pear juice concentrate. The dryness is a result of the fermentation process, where yeast consumes most of the natural fruit sugars, and the addition of specific ingredients like citric acid can also contribute to its crisp finish.

Pearsecco is specifically made to be a 'dry' style cider, with less sugar leftover after fermentation compared to sweeter, traditional hard ciders that often have a higher residual sugar content.