What Wine Is Lowest in Carbohydrates? Your Guide to Low-Carb Wine Choices

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know some sparkling wines, specifically Brut Nature, contain as little as 0–1 gram of carbohydrates per 5-ounce glass? This surprisingly low figure highlights a key takeaway for anyone monitoring their intake: what wine is lowest in carbohydrates depends entirely on the type and winemaking process.

Quick Summary

The carb content of wine varies significantly, with dry wines containing minimal residual sugar and therefore fewer carbohydrates. Sparkling wines labeled Brut Nature or Extra Brut have the lowest carbs, while certain dry white and red varieties offer excellent, low-carb options for drinkers seeking to manage their sugar intake.

Key Points

Sparkling is Lowest: For the absolute lowest carb count, choose Brut Nature or Extra Brut sparkling wines, which often have 0-2g of carbs per glass.
Dry Wines are Key: The drier the wine, the lower the residual sugar and carbohydrate content. Look for 'dry' on the label for both red and white wines.
Avoid Sweet and Fortified Wines: Dessert wines, fortified wines like Port, and late-harvest wines are very high in sugar and carbs and should be avoided on a low-carb diet.
Check White Varietals: Excellent low-carb white options include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and unoaked Chardonnay, typically with 2-3g of carbs per glass.
Consider Red Varietals: Dry reds like Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon offer good low-carb choices, generally containing 3-4g of carbs per glass.
Moderate Intake: Even with low-carb options, consuming alcohol in moderation is important as the body prioritizes its metabolism, which can temporarily slow fat burning.
Look for High ABV: A higher alcohol percentage (above 13%) can sometimes indicate a more complete fermentation and lower residual sugar, but this is not a foolproof rule.

Understanding Carbs and Sugar in Wine

The carbohydrate content in wine is determined by its residual sugar (RS), which is the leftover natural grape sugar that remains after the fermentation process. During fermentation, yeast consumes the sugar, converting it into alcohol. The longer the fermentation, the drier the wine and the lower the residual sugar. Conversely, winemakers can stop fermentation early to leave more sugar behind, resulting in a sweeter wine with a higher carb count.

For those on a low-carb diet like keto, paying attention to the wine's dryness is essential. Most dry table wines contain between 1 and 4 grams of carbohydrates per 5-ounce glass, whereas sweet or fortified wines can contain upwards of 10 to 20 grams or more.

The Lowest Carb Wine Category: Sparkling Wines

For the absolute lowest carbohydrate count, sparkling wines are the clear winner, provided you choose the driest varieties. These are categorized by their sweetness levels, with the driest containing virtually no residual sugar.

Brut Nature/Zero Dosage: The driest category of sparkling wine, containing 0–1 gram of carbs per glass, making it the lowest-carb option available.
Extra Brut: Also very dry, with 1–2 grams of carbs per glass.
Brut: The most common variety of dry sparkling wine, typically containing 2–3 grams of carbs per glass.

Excellent Low-Carb Still Wine Options

While sparkling varieties offer the lowest counts, many still wines are also very low in carbohydrates and fit well into a controlled diet. The key is to opt for dry versions, which are the most common style for these varietals.

Low-Carb White Wines

Sauvignon Blanc: This crisp, zesty white is a top contender, with approximately 2–3 grams of carbs per 5-ounce glass.
Pinot Grigio: A light and citrusy option, often containing 2.5–3 grams of carbs per glass.
Unoaked Chardonnay: While some Chardonnay can be higher in carbs, the dry, unoaked versions typically contain around 3–3.2 grams.
Albariño and Vermentino: Other dry white varieties that are generally low in carbohydrates.

Low-Carb Red Wines

Dry red wines are also great low-carb options, though they tend to be slightly higher in carbs than their white counterparts due to skin and seed extracts.

Pinot Noir: A light-bodied and dry red, containing around 3–3.5 grams of carbs per glass.
Merlot: A smooth, fruit-forward red with about 3–3.7 grams of carbs per glass.
Cabernet Sauvignon: A bold and structured red, with approximately 3–4 grams of carbs per glass.

Comparison of Low-Carb Wines


Wine Type	Carbohydrates (per 5-ounce glass)	Notes
Sparkling (Brut Nature)	0–1 gram	The driest sparkling option.
Sparkling (Extra Brut)	1–2 grams	Very dry and crisp.
Sparkling (Brut)	2–3 grams	Standard dry bubbly.
White (Sauvignon Blanc)	2–3 grams	Zesty and fresh.
White (Pinot Grigio)	2.5–3 grams	Light and citrusy.
White (Unoaked Chardonnay)	3–3.2 grams	Dry and smooth.
Red (Pinot Noir)	3–3.5 grams	Light-bodied and dry.
Red (Merlot)	3–3.7 grams	Smooth and approachable.
Red (Cabernet Sauvignon)	3–4 grams	Bold and structured.

How to Choose the Right Low-Carb Wine

Identifying a low-carb wine can be challenging since nutritional labels are not standard. However, you can use several tips to make an informed choice.

Look for 'Dry' on the Label: This is the most important indicator. The term 'dry' signifies minimal residual sugar. For sparkling wines, seek out 'Brut Nature', 'Extra Brut', or 'Brut'. For still wines, this is often implied for standard table wines, but avoiding anything labeled as 'semi-sweet' or 'off-dry' is a safe bet.
Avoid High-Carb Terms: Be cautious of labels using terms like 'Dessert Wine', 'Late Harvest', 'Fortified', 'Sauternes', 'Port', 'Madeira', 'Eiswein' (ice wine), 'Demi-sec', or 'Doux'.
Consider ABV: Higher alcohol by volume (ABV) can sometimes indicate a more complete fermentation process, resulting in lower residual sugar. While not a perfect measure, wines with an ABV over 13% often have lower carbs.
Seek Out Specific Producers: Some brands, such as Dry Farm Wines or Fitvine, specialize in low-carb, keto-friendly wines and provide nutritional information.

The Role of Moderation and Diet

Even with low-carb wine, moderation is crucial for overall health and weight management. When alcohol is consumed, the body prioritizes metabolizing it over fat burning, which can temporarily slow down weight loss on a keto diet. Moderate consumption also aligns with the potential health benefits, such as those associated with the antioxidants found in red wine. Pairing your low-carb wine with low-carb foods can also help maintain balance and nutritional goals.

Conclusion

Determining what wine is lowest in carbohydrates boils down to choosing the driest varieties. For the absolute lowest carb count, opt for Brut Nature sparkling wine. For still wine enthusiasts, dry whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio or dry reds like Pinot Noir and Merlot are your best bets. By learning to read labels and understanding the relationship between dryness and carbs, you can confidently select wines that fit your nutritional needs without sacrificing flavor. Remember that enjoying wine in moderation is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, even when opting for low-carb choices.

Visit a resource like Wine Folly for more detailed technical sheets on specific wines.

Frequently Asked Questions

The lowest-carb sparkling wine is Brut Nature, also known as Zero Dosage, which contains virtually no residual sugar and typically has less than one gram of carbohydrates per glass.

A standard 5-ounce glass of dry red wine, such as Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon, generally contains between 3 and 4 grams of carbohydrates.

Dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are among the lowest in carbs, often containing just 2-3 grams per 5-ounce glass. Unoaked Chardonnay is another great low-carb option.

You should avoid sweet and fortified wines, including dessert wines, Port, Moscato, and late-harvest wines, as they are high in residual sugar and carbohydrates.

Yes, you can drink wine on a keto diet by choosing very dry wines with minimal residual sugar and consuming them in moderation. Sparkling wines like Brut Nature and dry red and white wines are the best choices.

Yes, fermentation directly affects the carb content. Longer fermentation converts more sugar into alcohol, resulting in a drier wine with lower residual sugar and fewer carbs.

Since most wine labels don't list carb content, look for clues like high ABV (often means lower sugar), specific dry classifications like 'Brut Nature', 'Extra Brut', or 'Dry' and avoid known sweet varieties.

No, not all red wines are higher in carbs. While full-bodied reds can be slightly higher, many dry reds like Pinot Noir have a carb count comparable to or only slightly more than some dry whites.