Nutrition: How much sugar is in one glass of Moscato wine?

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

While some dry wines contain as little as 1 gram of sugar per glass, a typical serving of Moscato can contain significantly more, often ranging from 7 to 17 grams depending on the style. For those monitoring their intake, understanding precisely how much sugar is in one glass of Moscato wine is a crucial part of a balanced nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

A glass of Moscato, a sweet dessert wine, contains considerably more residual sugar than drier varieties, directly affecting its calorie count. The exact amount varies by style, but awareness of this content is essential for managing your overall dietary sugar intake effectively.

Key Points

High Sugar Content: A glass of Moscato typically contains between 7 and 17 grams of sugar, a substantial amount compared to other wines.
Residual Sugar: The sugar in Moscato is residual sugar, left over from halting fermentation before the yeast consumes all of the grape's natural sugar.
Health Impact: High sugar intake from wine can contribute to weight gain, elevate blood sugar levels, and increase risk for dental issues.
Calorie Source: The calories in Moscato come from both the high sugar content and the alcohol, with a glass often exceeding 120 calories.
Drier Alternatives: Dry red wines (like Cabernet Sauvignon) and dry white wines (like Sauvignon Blanc) contain significantly less sugar, often under 2 grams per glass.
Read Labels: Look for terms like 'Dry' or 'Brut' and avoid 'Sweet' or 'Demi-Sec' to identify lower-sugar wine options.

The Sweet Profile: Sugar Content in Moscato

Moscato is a sweet, often sparkling, wine celebrated for its fruity and floral notes, but its pleasant flavor is largely due to its high residual sugar content. Residual sugar (RS) refers to the natural sugars from the grapes that are not converted into alcohol during fermentation and remain in the final product. The sweeter the wine, the higher the residual sugar, and Moscato is one of the sweetest commercially available varieties.

A 5-ounce (150 ml) glass of Moscato can contain between 7 and 17 grams of sugar, which is substantially more than drier wines. For instance, a Moscato d'Asti, a semi-sparkling Italian version, typically has around 100-150 grams of residual sugar per liter, translating to 15-22.5 grams per 150ml glass. Some sweeter Pink Moscato varieties have been found to contain up to 13.8 grams of sugar in a slightly larger 175ml glass. This high sugar content is a key factor in Moscato's overall calorie count, with a single glass contributing between 120 and 160 calories.

Fermentation and the High Sugar Factor

The sugar level in wine is directly tied to the winemaking process. During fermentation, yeast consumes the sugar in grape juice and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. With sweeter wines like Moscato, the winemakers intentionally halt this fermentation process before the yeast has consumed all the sugar. This stops the conversion of sugar into alcohol, resulting in a wine that is lower in alcohol content but high in sweetness. In contrast, dry wines are fermented until most, if not all, of the sugar has been consumed by the yeast, leaving very little residual sugar.

Moscato vs. Other Wines: A Nutritional Comparison

For those on a nutrition diet, understanding the sugar and calorie differences between wine types is essential. Here is a comparison of Moscato with other popular wine varieties:


Wine Type	Average Sugar (per 5oz/150ml)	Average Calories (per 5oz/150ml)	Key Characteristics
Moscato	7-17 grams	120-160 calories	Sweet, fruity, floral. High residual sugar.
Dry Red Wine	<1-2 grams	~125 calories	Low sugar, higher alcohol content. Flavors vary by varietal.
Dry White Wine	1-2 grams	~120 calories	Low sugar, low-to-moderate alcohol. Crisp, often acidic.
Brut Sparkling Wine	<1.5 grams	~100-120 calories	Very dry, low sugar. Carbonated.
Dessert Wine	7+ grams	150+ calories	Very sweet, often fortified. Served in smaller quantities.

Health Implications of High Sugar Wine

Consuming high-sugar wines like Moscato regularly can have several health and dietary implications. First, the high calorie count contributes to overall caloric intake, which can lead to weight gain over time, especially when consumed in excess. Furthermore, alcohol is processed by the liver before other nutrients, which can halt normal fat metabolism and encourage fat storage, especially visceral fat.

Second, the high sugar content can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels. For individuals with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or those simply monitoring their blood sugar, this can be particularly problematic. The combination of alcohol and high sugar content can also increase the risk of hypoglycemia in those taking certain diabetes medications. Lastly, excessive sugar from any source, including wine, is a significant contributor to tooth decay.

How to Choose Healthier, Lower-Sugar Alternatives

For those looking to reduce their sugar intake without giving up wine, several options and strategies exist. The key is to look for wines that are classified as 'dry' or 'brut,' which have low residual sugar.

Tips for choosing low-sugar wine:

Read the Label: Avoid terms like "late harvest," "sweet," or "demi-sec". Instead, look for "dry," "extra brut," or "brut nature".
Consider Varietals: Dry reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir are naturally low in sugar. Dry whites such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are also excellent choices.
Check the ABV: While not a perfect indicator, a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) often means more of the sugar has been fermented out, resulting in a drier wine. Be mindful, as high-ABV wines also mean more calories from alcohol.
Opt for Spritzers: A simple way to reduce both sugar and alcohol is to mix wine with sparkling water, creating a refreshing spritzer.

For additional guidance on alcohol and dietary health, consider resources like the Drinkaware website.

Conclusion

In summary, a single glass of Moscato wine contains a high amount of residual sugar, often between 7 and 17 grams, depending on the specific style. This places it among the sweetest wine options available, significantly higher than most dry red or white wines. While enjoyable in moderation as an occasional treat, its elevated sugar and calorie content can impact health goals, particularly for weight management and blood sugar control. By opting for drier wine alternatives, practicing portion control, and being aware of labels, individuals can better align their wine consumption with a balanced nutrition diet. A mindful approach to drinking ensures you can still enjoy a glass of wine without compromising your health objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Moscato is known as a sweet dessert wine and typically has a much higher residual sugar content than most other types, such as dry reds or whites.

A standard 5-ounce (150 ml) glass of Moscato wine can contain anywhere from 120 to 160 calories, primarily from its high sugar and alcohol content.

Residual sugar (RS) is the natural grape sugar that remains in the wine after fermentation is stopped, and it is a key factor in determining a wine's sweetness.

Dry wines, both red and white, have the least amount of sugar. Varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Brut sparkling wines typically contain very little residual sugar.

Yes, due to its high sugar and calorie content, regular or excessive consumption of Moscato can hinder weight loss efforts. Alcohol also causes the body to prioritize burning it over fat.

Unlike red wines, Moscato offers very few nutritional benefits and is high in "empty calories" from sugar and alcohol. Moderate consumption is key.

While wine labels are not required to list nutritional facts, some vintners may provide this information on their websites. The terms 'Dry' and 'Brut' are the best indicators of lower sugar.