What has the lowest calories in wine?

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, non-alcoholic wine can have as few as 9 calories per glass. However, for those seeking traditional wine, the lowest calorie options are typically dry, low-alcohol types, making it essential to understand the factors that influence a wine's caloric content to choose wisely.

Quick Summary

An exploration of which wines are lowest in calories, detailing the impact of alcohol and sugar content. It covers specific types of white, red, and sparkling wines with lower caloric counts and provides tips for making healthier choices.

Key Points

Brut Nature Sparkling Wine: This is typically the lowest calorie traditional wine, with as few as 90-100 calories per 5 oz glass due to minimal residual sugar and moderate alcohol.
Dry White Wines: Light and crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, and unoaked Pinot Grigio are excellent low-calorie choices, ranging from 110-120 calories per 5 oz glass.
Low ABV is Key: Alcohol is the main source of calories in wine, so choosing a wine with a lower alcohol by volume (ABV), ideally under 12.5%, is crucial for minimizing calories.
Light-Bodied Red Wines: For red wine lovers, dry, light-bodied options like Pinot Noir and Gamay are the lowest in calories, generally falling between 110-130 calories per 5 oz glass.
Residual Sugar Matters: The 'sweetness' level of a wine is a direct indicator of its sugar and calorie content; always opt for 'Brut' or 'Dry' over 'Demi-Sec' or 'Sweet'.
Non-Alcoholic Wine: For the absolute lowest calorie option, non-alcoholic wines are the best choice, containing as little as 9-15 calories per glass.

Understanding Wine Calories: The Key Factors

To understand what has the lowest calories in wine, one must first grasp the two primary components that contribute to a wine's caloric count: alcohol and residual sugar. Alcohol contains approximately 7 calories per gram, nearly double that of sugar at 4 calories per gram. This is why the alcohol by volume (ABV) is often the biggest indicator of a wine's calorie level, with higher ABV meaning higher calories. After fermentation, the sugar that remains in the wine is called residual sugar. Drier wines, in which almost all the sugar has been converted to alcohol, will have significantly fewer calories than their sweeter counterparts.

The Lowest Calorie Contenders: Dry Wines and Low ABV

The driest wines, specifically sparkling and white varietals, are consistent winners in the low-calorie category. They naturally contain less residual sugar and often have a lower ABV. For instance, a bone-dry sparkling wine like Brut Nature Champagne can have as few as 90-100 calories per 5 oz glass. Non-alcoholic wines, though a different product category, offer the absolute lowest calorie count, with some options containing as little as 9-15 calories per serving.

Low-Calorie White Wines

Dry white wines are excellent choices for calorie-conscious consumers. Their zesty, crisp nature means most sugar has fermented away, leaving minimal residual sugar.

Sauvignon Blanc: Known for its light, zesty profile, a 5 oz glass often contains around 110-120 calories.
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris: This crisp and refreshing white wine is another reliable low-calorie option, typically ranging from 112-120 calories per glass.
Albariño: With its bright citrus notes, this Spanish white averages around 110-115 calories per glass.
Unoaked Chardonnay: For those who prefer Chardonnay, the unoaked versions are lower in calories, with roughly 120 calories per glass.

Low-Calorie Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines can be a great low-calorie choice, but it is important to check the sweetness level, which is indicated on the label. The key is to look for the driest styles, as sweeter ones will have more added sugar.

Brut Nature: The driest category of sparkling wine, this can be as low as 90-100 calories per 5 oz serving.
Extra Brut: A very dry style with slightly more sugar than Brut Nature, Extra Brut Champagne typically has 100-105 calories.
Brut: The most common style of Champagne, Brut has a low sugar level and can contain around 91-98 calories per serving.

Low-Calorie Red Wines

While typically higher in calories than white wines due to higher alcohol content, certain dry, light-bodied reds are still relatively low in calories.

Pinot Noir: A classic light-bodied red, a 5 oz glass of Pinot Noir typically falls within the 110-130 calorie range.
Gamay (Beaujolais): Known for its juicy, low-tannin profile, a glass of Gamay has around 115-120 calories.
Cabernet Franc: A lighter alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon, it averages 120 calories per glass.

Comparison Table: Calories in Popular Wine Types


Wine Type	Sweetness Level	Approx. ABV	Approx. Calories (per 5 oz)
Sparkling (Brut Nature)	Very Dry	11-12%	90–100
Albariño	Dry	11-13%	110–115
Sauvignon Blanc	Dry	12-14%	110–120
Pinot Grigio	Dry	11-13%	112–120
Pinot Noir	Dry	12-13.5%	110–130
Gamay (Beaujolais)	Dry	11-12.5%	115–120
Chardonnay (Oaked)	Dry	13-15%	120–145
Rosé (Dry)	Dry	11-12.5%	100-120
Dessert Wine	Sweet	14-21%	160–230

Tips for Reducing Caloric Intake

Beyond choosing naturally low-calorie wine types, several strategies can help manage calorie intake from wine consumption:

Check the ABV: Always look for bottles with a lower alcohol percentage, ideally under 12.5%.
Mind the Serving Size: Stick to a standard 5 oz pour, which is smaller than many people typically pour.
Choose 'Dry' over 'Sweet': Opt for wines that are explicitly labeled as "dry" to ensure minimal residual sugar.
Consider Non-Alcoholic Alternatives: Brands like Surely and other de-alcoholized options offer a wine-like experience with significantly fewer calories.

Conclusion

When seeking the lowest calorie wine, the best choices are typically dry sparkling wines like Brut Nature and dry white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Albariño, as their lower alcohol content and minimal residual sugar result in fewer calories. Lighter-bodied dry reds like Pinot Noir and Gamay also offer lower-calorie options within the red wine category. Understanding the relationship between a wine's ABV, residual sugar, and overall calorie count is key to making informed, health-conscious choices without sacrificing flavor. Ultimately, the most effective strategy for managing calories is to select drier, lower-alcohol varietals and practice moderation, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite wine responsibly.

Low-Calorie Wine Resources

For additional information and to find specific brands offering lower-calorie options, consult trusted online resources and wine retailers that provide detailed nutritional information. A helpful guide can be found at Bottle Barn, which offers insight into low-calorie options and features de-alcoholized alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it depends on the brand and ABV, Brut Nature sparkling wine is generally considered the lowest calorie traditional wine, with some types containing as few as 90-100 calories per 5 oz serving.

Yes, dry wines contain significantly fewer calories than sweet wines because almost all of the sugar has been fermented into alcohol, leaving very little residual sugar.

Generally, dry white wines have slightly fewer calories than red wines because they tend to have a lower alcohol content. However, the difference can be minimal and depends heavily on the specific varietal and its ABV.

The most significant factor is the alcohol by volume (ABV), as alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. The residual sugar content is the second major factor.

No, not all sparkling wines are low in calories. While Brut and Extra Brut styles are low, sweeter styles like Demi-Sec or Doux contain more residual sugar and therefore have a higher calorie count.

Since nutritional information is not always required on wine labels, you can look for the ABV on the bottle. As a general rule, lower ABV indicates lower calories. Websites like DrinkWell and Coravin provide guides with average calorie counts.

The calorie count for Rosé depends on its sweetness level. A dry Rosé is a relatively low-calorie choice, with a 5 oz glass typically containing around 100-120 calories, similar to many dry white wines.