Which has less carbs, Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon?

December 1, 2025 •

4 min read

On average, a standard 5-ounce serving of dry Pinot Noir contains approximately 3.4 grams of carbohydrates, while a serving of dry Cabernet Sauvignon has around 3.8 grams. While the difference is marginal, Pinot Noir edges out Cabernet in the carb-counting race, but the dryness of the wine is the most crucial factor for those watching their carb intake.

Quick Summary

Pinot Noir generally contains slightly fewer carbohydrates per serving than Cabernet Sauvignon, though the exact carb count depends on the wine's dryness. The driest versions of both varietals are suitable for low-carb lifestyles. Factors like residual sugar and ABV are more significant than grape type.

Key Points

Pinot Noir Has Marginally Fewer Carbs: A dry Pinot Noir has approximately 3.4 grams of carbs per 5-ounce serving, while a dry Cabernet Sauvignon has about 3.8 grams.
Dryness is More Important Than Varietal: The biggest determinant of a wine's carb count is its dryness, or the amount of residual sugar left after fermentation.
Residual Sugar (RS) is the Key: Dry wines have very low residual sugar, which means fewer carbs. Sweet dessert or late-harvest wines should be avoided on a low-carb diet.
Avoid Sweet Wine Terms: Look for labels that say 'dry,' 'brut,' or 'extra brut,' and steer clear of terms like 'late harvest,' 'dessert wine,' or 'doux'.
Practice Moderation: While dry red wine is low in carbs, alcohol metabolism can temporarily halt fat-burning, so consume in moderation on a low-carb diet.

Comparing the Carbohydrate Content of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon

When comparing the carb content of red wines, many low-carb dieters find themselves weighing popular options like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. While both are generally considered low-carb compared to other alcoholic beverages or sweeter wines, a closer look at the data shows that one is a slightly better choice for minimizing carb intake.

Pinot Noir: The Lighter, Lower-Carb Choice

Pinot Noir, known for its light body and fruity flavors of cherry, raspberry, and mushroom, is typically fermented to be very dry. This is a key reason for its lower carbohydrate count. Because of its delicate flavor profile, winemakers rarely feel the need to add residual sugar to balance the flavor, ensuring a low-carb finish. A typical 5-ounce glass of dry Pinot Noir contains an average of 3.4 grams of carbohydrates. The fermentation process of dry wines is extensive, allowing yeast to convert most of the grape sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, resulting in minimal leftover sugar.

Cabernet Sauvignon: The Bold, Slightly Higher-Carb Option

Cabernet Sauvignon, a more full-bodied and robust red with dark fruit flavors and notes of pepper, clocks in with a slightly higher carb count than Pinot Noir. On average, a standard 5-ounce pour of a dry Cabernet Sauvignon has around 3.8 grams of carbohydrates. While still a great option for low-carb and keto diets, the marginal increase is due to the grape's characteristics and the winemaking process. However, as with any wine, the exact carb count is heavily dependent on the specific bottle's residual sugar level.

Factors Influencing Wine Carbohydrates

Beyond the grape varietal itself, several key factors determine the final carbohydrate content in a bottle of wine. Understanding these can help you make the best choice for your dietary needs.

Residual Sugar (RS): This is the most important factor. Residual sugar is the natural grape sugar left over after the fermentation process. Dry wines, where most sugar is fermented, have very low RS, often less than 1-2 grams per liter. Sweet or dessert wines, conversely, have much higher RS levels, resulting in a much higher carb count.
Grape Ripeness: Grapes harvested later in the season are riper and sweeter, containing more natural sugars. This can result in a higher potential carb count if the winemaking process doesn't completely ferment all the sugar.
Alcohol Content (ABV): Higher alcohol content can sometimes indicate lower carbs, as more sugar was converted to alcohol during fermentation. However, this is not a universal rule and depends on the initial sugar content of the grapes.
Winemaking Choices: Some cheaper, mass-produced wines may have added sugar (chaptalization) to boost alcohol or flavor, which increases the carb count. Higher-quality, drier wines are less likely to have these added sugars.

Comparison Table: Pinot Noir vs. Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry)


Feature	Pinot Noir	Cabernet Sauvignon
Body	Light-to-medium bodied	Full-bodied
Carbs (per 5 oz)	~3.4 grams	~3.8 grams
Primary Flavors	Cherry, raspberry, mushroom	Black currant, black cherry, pepper
Tannins	Softer, less tannic	Strong, structured tannic profile
Residual Sugar	Minimal in dry versions	Minimal in dry versions
Best for Keto/Low-Carb?	Slightly better due to marginal carb difference	Very good, but slightly more carbs

Practical Advice for Low-Carb Wine Selection

For those on low-carb diets, focusing on the dryness of the wine is far more important than the specific grape variety. Most standard, dry red wines will have a relatively low carb count. When shopping, look for bottles labeled as 'dry,' 'brut,' or even 'extra brut' for sparkling options. Sweet dessert wines, ports, and late-harvest wines should generally be avoided, as their carb and sugar counts are significantly higher. As a responsible consumer, it's always wise to practice moderation. A single glass of a low-carb wine is unlikely to derail a diet, but excessive consumption can slow down fat-burning processes.

Conclusion: The Winner by a Small Margin

To definitively answer the question, Pinot Noir consistently contains slightly less carbs than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it the better choice for those on a very strict low-carb diet. However, the difference is so small that both can be considered excellent options. The real key to selecting a low-carb wine is to focus on the wine's dryness and avoid wines with high residual sugar. By doing so, you can enjoy a delicious glass of red wine without compromising your dietary goals. For more in-depth nutritional information on specific wines, consulting resources like wine-focused websites or the winery's technical data sheet is recommended.

Find more low-carb wine resources

For additional guidance on choosing the right wine for your lifestyle, a reputable online resource can provide detailed nutritional information. Visit Wine Folly's guide to carbs in wine.

Frequently Asked Questions

In their driest forms, both Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon have very little residual sugar. Pinot Noir typically averages slightly less, though the difference is negligible for most diets.

Yes, many dry red wines, including Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, are suitable for a keto diet. The key is to choose dry varieties with low residual sugar to keep your carb intake in check.

Residual sugar is the unfermented sugar left in wine after the fermentation process is complete. The amount of residual sugar is the primary factor determining a wine's sweetness and, consequently, its carb count.

Not necessarily. Higher alcohol content can sometimes indicate lower carbs because more sugar was converted to alcohol. However, alcohol itself contains calories, so a higher ABV can mean more overall calories.

Most dry Pinot Noirs are low-carb, but you should still check the label. Regional variations and winemaking techniques can affect the final sweetness and carb content.

A standard 750ml bottle of dry red wine contains approximately 5 servings. Therefore, a bottle of dry Pinot Noir would have around 17 grams of carbs, and a dry Cabernet Sauvignon around 19 grams.

Among popular options, a dry Pinot Noir is frequently cited as having the lowest average carb count. Some special low-carb wines exist, but standard dry reds like Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are all great choices.