Understanding Wine Nutrition: Is Moscato High in Calories?

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

While often perceived as a dessert wine due to its sweetness, a standard 5-ounce glass of Moscato typically contains between 100 and 140 calories, depending on the specific variety. Understanding the calorie breakdown of wine is essential when asking, "Is Moscato high in calories?" and for making informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

This article details the calorie and sugar content in Moscato, exploring how alcohol and residual sugar affect its nutritional profile. It compares Moscato to other wines and provides strategies for managing calorie intake while enjoying wine, regardless of type.

Key Points

Moscato's Moderate Calorie Range: Despite its sweetness, a standard glass of Moscato typically contains 100-140 calories, a moderate count often comparable to drier wines.
Alcohol vs. Sugar: Wine calories come from both alcohol and sugar. Moscato's lower alcohol by volume (ABV) often balances its higher residual sugar content, keeping the calorie total down.
Calorie Variations by Style: Different Moscato styles, such as still, sparkling, pink, and dessert, have slight variations in calorie content, mainly due to differences in ABV and sugar levels.
Comparison to Other Wines: Moscato's calorie count is similar to many common white and red wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot, but significantly lower than fortified wines like Port.
Tips for Calorie Management: To minimize calories, consider drier wines with low residual sugar, check the ABV, practice portion control, and look for low-calorie branded options.
Empty Calories: All alcohol provides empty calories, meaning it offers energy without significant nutritional value. Moderation is key to balancing wine consumption with a healthy diet.

Decoding the Calories in Moscato

Moscato, derived from the Muscat grape, is renowned for its sweet, fruity flavor profile. While many assume that its sugary taste translates to a high-calorie count, the reality is more nuanced. The calories in wine come from two primary sources: alcohol and residual sugar. Alcohol contains approximately 7 calories per gram, while carbohydrates (including sugar) contain 4 calories per gram. Therefore, a wine's alcohol content often plays a more significant role in its total calorie count than its sugar content alone.

Moscato wine typically has a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) compared to many other wines, which is a key factor in its moderate calorie range. For example, a Moscato d'Asti may have an ABV of only 5.5%, while a dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon can reach 14.5%. Despite Moscato's noticeable sweetness from higher residual sugar, its lower alcohol level can sometimes result in a calorie count similar to or even lower than some drier, higher-alcohol wines.

Calorie Variations in Moscato Styles

The calorie content of Moscato is not uniform and can vary based on its style. Here’s a look at the different types and their average calorie counts per 5-ounce (150ml) serving:

Still Moscato: Around 123 calories, with an ABV of 6-8%.
Sparkling Moscato: Slightly lower, at about 121 calories, often with a slightly lower ABV.
Pink Moscato: Can have a higher calorie content, with some brands averaging 137 calories.
Dessert Moscato: Despite being a sweet style, it may have a low alcohol content, resulting in a calorie count of around 107 calories.

How Moscato's Calories Compare to Other Wines

To put Moscato's calorie content in perspective, it is helpful to compare it with other popular wine types. The following table provides average calorie counts for a standard 5-ounce serving of various wines:


Wine Type	Average Calories per 5oz Serving	Key Factors	Observations
Moscato	~122 calories	Lower ABV, higher residual sugar	Can be lower in calories than some dry wines due to low ABV.
Sauvignon Blanc	~122 calories	Low residual sugar, moderate ABV	A dry white with a comparable calorie count to Moscato.
Pinot Grigio	~122 calories	Low residual sugar, moderate ABV	Similar calorie count to Moscato, but significantly drier.
Chardonnay	~120 calories	Can vary based on style (oaked vs. unoaked)	Generally a dry white, similar calories to Moscato.
Merlot	~120 calories	Moderate ABV, low residual sugar	A popular dry red with a similar calorie count.
Pinot Noir	~123 calories	Lower ABV for a red wine, low residual sugar	A lighter-bodied red with similar calories.
Port	~250 calories	Fortified wine, high ABV and residual sugar	Significantly higher in calories due to fortification.

Strategies for Mindful Wine Consumption

For those monitoring their calorie intake, enjoying wine is still possible with a mindful approach. Here are some key strategies for incorporating wine into a balanced diet:

Pay attention to ABV: Since alcohol is the main calorie source, checking the alcohol percentage on the label can be a quick way to gauge calorie content. Wines with a lower ABV, typically below 12%, will generally have fewer calories.
Choose dry options: While Moscato’s lower ABV helps, drier wines like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Brut sparkling wines have very little residual sugar, further reducing their calorie count. Look for labels with terms like “brut” or “extra brut” for sparkling varieties.
Practice portion control: A standard pour of wine is 5 ounces, but it can be easy to overpour. Being mindful of your serving size is one of the most effective ways to manage liquid calorie intake.
Opt for wine from cooler climates: Grapes from cooler climates don't ripen as much, resulting in lower sugar levels, less alcohol, and fewer calories. Look for wines from regions like Germany or cooler areas in Washington or Oregon.
Consider lower-calorie brands: Some brands are specifically designed to be lower in calories, often by reducing the ABV to around 6-9%. These options, such as Cupcake Lighthearted or Yellow Tail Pure Bright, can be a great alternative if you’re particularly calorie-conscious.

The Role of Calories in Nutritional Balance

It's important to remember that all alcoholic beverages provide "empty calories"—calories with little to no nutritional value. When the body consumes alcohol, it prioritizes metabolizing it, which can slow down the metabolism of other nutrients like fats and carbohydrates. This is why moderation is key to maintaining a healthy diet. Instead of solely focusing on whether one wine is slightly lower in calories than another, considering overall consumption and how it fits into your total daily energy needs is the most effective approach.

While Moscato is not necessarily "high" in calories compared to all other wines, its sweetness does come with a notable amount of residual sugar. For those managing weight or watching blood sugar, it's a factor to be aware of. Ultimately, the best strategy is to enjoy all wines in moderation and as part of a balanced nutritional plan. The key takeaway is to be aware of what you're consuming so you can make intentional choices that align with your health goals. For further information on low-calorie wine options, you can explore resources like the Bottle Barn blog.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the question of "is Moscato high in calories?" reveals a common misconception. While its sweet taste might suggest a higher calorie count, Moscato's typically lower alcohol content keeps its calories in a moderate range, often comparable to or even lower than many dry wines. A standard 5-ounce glass hovers around 100-140 calories, primarily derived from its alcohol and residual sugar. For those focused on calorie reduction, strategies like choosing drier wines, watching portion sizes, and opting for lower-ABV varieties are effective. Ultimately, enjoying any wine, including Moscato, is best done in moderation and as part of a holistic, healthy lifestyle. Understanding the breakdown of calories empowers you to make informed decisions without sacrificing enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While Moscato has more residual sugar, its lower alcohol content often results in a total calorie count that is comparable to or even lower than many drier wines with higher alcohol percentages.

Compared to many mixed drinks and cocktails that contain high-sugar mixers, wine is often a lower-calorie option. For instance, a margarita can contain over 200 calories, whereas a glass of Moscato is typically 100-140 calories.

Pink Moscato can sometimes have a slightly higher calorie count than other Moscato styles. For example, a Barefoot Pink Moscato averages about 137 calories per serving.

Residual sugar is the sugar from the grapes that is not converted into alcohol during the fermentation process. It is what gives a wine its sweetness.

If you're watching your calorie intake, consider dry white wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Dry sparkling wines labeled "Brut" or "Extra Brut" are also excellent low-calorie options.

Yes, generally. Since alcohol contributes significantly to a wine's calorie count, wines with a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) typically have fewer calories, assuming the residual sugar content is not excessively high.

Checking the ABV percentage on the bottle is a good start, as it's a major calorie indicator. While not all labels include nutritional information, some brands, including lower-calorie specific ones, provide this detail on their bottles or websites.