Which Red Wine Has the Fewest Carbs?

December 10, 2025 •

3 min read

On average, a standard 5-ounce glass of dry red wine contains 3 to 4 grams of carbohydrates, making it relatively low-carb. However, the carbohydrate content of different red wines varies. Variations depend on residual sugar and alcohol content.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the red wine with the lowest carb count. The factors influencing carbohydrate content are explained. Discover the best dry red wine options for low-carb diets and what to look for on labels. A comparison table is included.

Key Points

Pinot Noir is the lowest carb red wine: A standard 5-ounce glass of dry Pinot Noir typically contains about 3.4 grams of carbs.
Drier wines have fewer carbs: Look for wines labeled "dry," indicating lower residual sugar and fewer carbohydrates.
Check the ABV: Higher Alcohol by Volume (ABV) often signifies that more sugar was fermented into alcohol, leaving fewer carbs.
Avoid sweet or dessert wines: Steer clear of sweet red blends, late harvest wines, and fortified wines like Port, which are high in sugar and carbohydrates.
Winemaking matters: Some brands create wines specifically with lower carbs and zero sugar, so look for these labels.
Serving size is crucial: A standard 5-ounce serving is key for managing carb intake, as larger pours can increase the total carbohydrate count.

What Determines Carbohydrate Content in Wine?

Understanding how winemaking affects the final carb count helps in making informed choices. The primary factor is residual sugar (RS), the leftover grape sugar in the wine after fermentation. Yeast converts natural sugars into alcohol. Longer fermentation results in a "drier" wine with less residual sugar and fewer carbohydrates.

Dry vs. Sweet: Wines are categorized by sweetness. A "dry" wine has had most of its sugar fermented, leaving less than 1% residual sugar. "Sweet" or "dessert" wines have fermentation intentionally halted to preserve higher sugar content, leading to a higher carb count.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Higher ABV often means more sugar was converted to alcohol, leaving less residual sugar. However, this isn't always the case, and some winemakers add sugar after fermentation.
Winemaking Practices: Some commercial wines may have added sugars or sweeteners to enhance flavor or body. This is less common in high-quality, artisanal wines.

The Red Wine with the Fewest Carbs: Pinot Noir

Among popular red wine varietals, Pinot Noir typically has the fewest carbs. A 5-ounce glass of dry Pinot Noir has about 3.4 grams of carbohydrates. This light-bodied, dry red wine is an excellent choice for low-carb or ketogenic diets because of minimal residual sugar and a delicate flavor.

Pinot Noir has bright red fruit flavors like cherry and raspberry, along with earthy undertones. Its naturally low sugar content and approachable taste make it a staple for health-conscious drinkers. Look for dry, un-oaked versions when shopping, as oak aging can introduce sweeter flavors.

Low-Carb Red Wine Comparison Table

The following table shows the average carbohydrate content per 5-ounce glass to compare popular red wine varietals. These are general averages and vary by producer and vintage.


Red Wine Varietal	Average Carbs (per 5 oz)	Tasting Notes	Common Pairing	Best for Low-Carb?
Pinot Noir	~3.4g	Cherry, raspberry, earthy notes	Poultry, pork, mushroom risotto	Excellent
Merlot	~3.7g	Plum, black cherry, soft tannins	Roasted chicken, grilled vegetables	Excellent
Cabernet Sauvignon	~3.8g	Blackcurrant, cedar, high tannins	Steak, red meat	Good
Syrah/Shiraz	~3.9g	Pepper, dark fruit, rich and spicy	Grilled meats, stews	Good
Malbec	~4.1g	Blackberry, dark fruit, velvety	Braised pork, rich cheeses	Fair
Zinfandel	~4.2g	Jammy berry, spice, higher alcohol	Hearty pasta, barbecue	Fair
Port (Dessert Wine)	20g+	Rich, sweet, fortified	Chocolate, strong cheeses	Avoid

How to Choose the Lowest Carb Red Wine

Several key indicators help in selecting a low-carb red wine, especially since nutritional information is not always on the bottle.

Look for "Dry" on the label

The most important factor is choosing a "dry" wine. This indicates little to no residual sugar. The longer fermentation runs, the less sugar remains, resulting in a drier wine. Avoid terms like "late harvest," "dessert wine," or "dolce," which signify high sugar content.

Consider the ABV

Look for a higher alcohol by volume (ABV), typically over 12.5%. Higher alcohol content often correlates with lower residual sugar, as more of the grape's sugar was converted into alcohol during fermentation.

Choose a Lighter-Bodied Red

Lighter-bodied red wines, such as Pinot Noir, tend to have fewer carbohydrates than robust reds like Malbec or Zinfandel. This is often because lighter reds use grapes with naturally lower sugar levels or are crafted to preserve their delicate flavor without extra sugar.

Select a Specific Region or Brand

Some wine regions are known for producing drier wines, such as Bordeaux from France or Rioja from Spain. A growing number of brands are marketing low-carb or "keto-friendly" wines with transparent nutritional labeling. Look for brands with zero or minimal grams of sugar on the label, such as DrinkWell's zero-carb merlot or Les Mazelles Pinot Noir Zero.

Conclusion: Making the Best Choice for Low-Carb Drinking

Dry Pinot Noir is the clear winner for the red wine with the fewest carbs, at around 3.4 grams per 5-ounce glass. Its light body and low residual sugar make it an excellent choice for low-carb or keto dieters. Prioritizing "dry" on the label, considering wines with higher ABV, and exploring brands that focus on low-carb offerings are all effective strategies. Remember moderation, but with informed choices, it is entirely possible to enjoy delicious red wine without sacrificing dietary goals.

One resource for finding low-carb and keto-friendly wines is the online retailer DrinkWell. Their blog post, "Guide to Low Carb Red Wine," provides examples of low and zero-carb wines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can drink red wine on a keto diet, but you should stick to dry varieties and practice moderation. Dry red wines like Pinot Noir and Merlot have low carb counts per serving that fit within a keto macro plan.

Residual sugar (RS) is the natural sugar from grapes that remains in the wine after the fermentation process is finished. The amount of RS influences the wine's sweetness and carbohydrate count.

The carb difference between dry red and white wines is generally minimal. The level of residual sugar determines the carb count, not the wine's color.

Yes, some winemakers produce zero-carb red wines by allowing all grape sugar to ferment into alcohol. Brands like Les Mazelles offer zero-carb Pinot Noir options for strict low-carb dieters.

Check the label for "dry," "sec," or "brut" to identify a dry wine. Look for a higher ABV (above 12.5%), which often indicates most sugar has been fermented into alcohol.

Avoid sweet red wines like dessert wines, fortified wines like Port, and red blends with higher residual sugar. These can have 8 to over 20 grams of carbs per glass.

Most winemakers don't include nutritional facts on labels due to industry tradition. Knowing the characteristics of different varietals and how winemaking affects carbs is important.