Which Red Wine Has the Lowest Amount of Carbs?

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

A 5-ounce glass of dry red wine contains approximately 3 to 4 grams of carbohydrates. For those monitoring their sugar intake or following a low-carb diet, understanding which red wine has the lowest amount of carbs is key to making informed choices. While all wine contains some level of carbohydrates, the residual sugar content is the primary factor that determines the final carb count.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals the lowest carb red wine options by examining key factors like residual sugar and alcohol content. It outlines popular dry varieties, compares carb counts in a convenient table, and offers practical tips for selecting healthier reds without sacrificing flavor.

Key Points

Pinot Noir is the lowest carb red wine: Among popular varietals, a dry Pinot Noir consistently has the least amount of carbohydrates, averaging about 3.4 grams per 5-ounce glass.
Look for 'dry' reds: The term 'dry' indicates low residual sugar, which is the main source of carbs in wine. Fully fermented dry wines are your best bet for a lower carb count.
Residual sugar determines carb content: The amount of sugar remaining after fermentation directly correlates with the carbohydrate load. Less residual sugar means fewer carbs.
High-alcohol isn't always low-carb: While higher ABV can mean more sugar was converted to alcohol, it also adds calories. Focus more on residual sugar for the lowest carb count.
Avoid dessert and fortified wines: Varieties like Port, Sherry, and late-harvest wines are intentionally high in sugar and should be avoided on a low-carb diet due to their high carb levels.
Opt for Old World Reds: Many European wines from regions like Bordeaux, Chianti, and Rioja are traditionally made to be drier and contain less residual sugar.
Check for special low-carb brands: Some winemakers specifically target the low-carb market, producing wines with very little or zero residual sugar.

Understanding Wine Carbohydrates

To understand which red wine has the lowest amount of carbs, it's essential to first grasp where those carbohydrates come from. During the winemaking process, yeast consumes the natural sugars in grape juice, converting them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The amount of sugar left after this fermentation process is known as 'residual sugar' (RS). This residual sugar is the main contributor to a wine's carbohydrate content.

Dry wines, where fermentation is completed, contain minimal residual sugar—typically less than 2 grams per liter. Sweet wines, such as late harvest or dessert wines, have a much higher residual sugar content because fermentation is stopped early, resulting in a higher carb count. Therefore, the drier the red wine, the lower its carbohydrate content will be.

Key Factors Influencing Carb Count

Beyond residual sugar, a few other elements can affect a wine's final carbohydrate total:

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Higher alcohol wines can sometimes have slightly lower residual sugar, as more of the grape's sugar was converted to alcohol. However, alcohol itself adds calories, so it's a balancing act for those watching overall intake.
Grape Variety: Different grape varieties start with different sugar levels. For instance, Pinot Noir grapes generally produce a drier wine compared to grapes used for sweet blends.
Winemaking Techniques: Certain commercial wines may have added sweeteners to enhance flavor, even if they aren't explicitly labeled as sweet. Opting for wines from reputable producers who prioritize quality can help avoid this.

The Top Low-Carb Red Wines

When searching for the red wine with the lowest amount of carbs, your best options are typically dry, light-bodied varietals. Pinot Noir is a standout choice, often cited for its low carb count. Other reliably low-carb options include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, provided they are not sweet versions or mass-produced brands with added sugar.

Pinot Noir: This light-bodied, dry red is consistently ranked as having one of the lowest carb counts among popular reds, averaging around 3.4 grams per 5-ounce serving.
Merlot: A smooth, fruit-forward red, Merlot is another excellent choice for low-carb diets, with an average of 3.7 grams of carbs per 5-ounce glass.
Cabernet Sauvignon: This bold, full-bodied red is also a strong contender, typically containing about 3.8 grams of carbs per 5-ounce serving.
Syrah/Shiraz: Known for its rich and spicy profile, Syrah usually contains slightly more carbs, around 3.9 grams per serving.
Old World Reds: Wines from European regions, such as Bordeaux, Chianti, and Rioja, are traditionally made in a drier style, making them excellent low-carb choices.

Comparing Carbohydrate Counts in Red Wine

To provide a clear comparison, here is a table detailing the approximate carbohydrate and calorie content of common red wines per standard 5-ounce serving:


Red Wine Variety	Carbohydrates (per 5 oz)	Calories (per 5 oz)	Typical ABV
Pinot Noir	~3.4 g	~121	12-14%
Merlot	~3.7 g	~120	13-14%
Cabernet Sauvignon	~3.8 g	~122	13-15%
Syrah/Shiraz	~3.9 g	~123	13-15%
Malbec	~4.1 g	~125	13-15%
Zinfandel	~4.2 g	~125	14-16%
Sweet Red Blends	8-15+ g	130+	Varies
Port Wine	20+ g	100 (2 oz)	16-20%

Note: These are average figures, and specific nutritional information can vary by brand and vintage.

Practical Tips for Selecting Low-Carb Wine

With no legal requirement in the U.S. to list nutritional information on wine labels, finding a truly low-carb bottle can require some investigation. However, following these guidelines can help you navigate the options:

Seek Out 'Dry' Wines: The label 'dry' is your most important clue. This indicates a wine with low residual sugar, and therefore fewer carbs.
Check the ABV: As a general rule, a lower ABV (less than 13.5%) often correlates with lower residual sugar. Conversely, higher ABV can sometimes indicate that more sugar was fermented into alcohol, but it also increases total calories.
Avoid Sweet and Dessert Wines: Steer clear of anything labeled as 'Late Harvest', 'Dessert Wine', 'Port', or 'Ice Wine', as these are intentionally high in sugar and carbohydrates.
Buy from Reputable Wineries: Many small-production, quality-focused wineries avoid adding sugar to their wines, a practice known as chaptalization. If possible, research the winery's methods or look for brands that specifically market their products as low-carb, like some from Maker Wine.
Utilize Online Resources: Websites like Wine Folly or online retailers can often provide technical information, or 'tech sheets', for specific bottles, which might list the residual sugar content.

Conclusion

For those seeking the red wine with the lowest amount of carbs, dry Pinot Noir is the most reliable choice, offering a balanced flavor profile with minimal carbohydrates. Other dry red varietals such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon also offer low-carb options, making them great alternatives. The key to selecting a low-carb red lies in understanding that dryness is the most important indicator of low residual sugar. By sticking to dry varieties, checking for lower alcohol content, and avoiding high-sugar dessert wines, you can enjoy a delicious glass of red without compromising your dietary goals. For further information on wine sweetness levels, including sparkling wines, see this useful guide on Wine Folly detailing sweetness classifications.

Summary of Low-Carb Red Wines

Pinot Noir: Consistently the lowest in carbs among common dry reds, with an average of 3.4g per 5oz serving.
Merlot: A smooth, fruit-forward red that is reliably low in carbs at around 3.7g per 5oz.
Cabernet Sauvignon: This bold, dry red averages about 3.8g of carbs per 5oz.
Dryness is Key: The primary determinant of a wine's carb count is its residual sugar level; choose 'dry' reds for the lowest carbs.
Avoid Sweet Wines: Steer clear of dessert wines, late harvest, and fortified wines, which are packed with sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

For those on a keto diet, a dry Pinot Noir is an excellent choice, containing approximately 3.4 grams of carbohydrates per 5-ounce serving. Dry Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are also very low in carbs and fit well within a keto lifestyle.

Yes, virtually all wine, including red wine, contains some level of carbohydrates. The amount depends on the residual sugar left after fermentation. Dry red wines have minimal carbs (3-4g per glass), while sweet varieties can have significantly more.

Look for the term 'dry' on the wine label, which indicates low residual sugar. You can also check the alcohol by volume (ABV), as a lower ABV (below 13.5%) often suggests less sugar. Avoiding wines labeled as 'sweet' or 'dessert' is also crucial.

The difference in carb count is due to residual sugar levels. Merlot is typically made in a drier style, leading to a more complete fermentation and less residual sugar. Zinfandel grapes are often sweeter, and some styles are produced with higher residual sugar, resulting in a higher carb count.

Most naturally fermented wines will have a trace amount of carbohydrates, but some specialty brands actively produce zero-sugar or nearly zero-carb wines by ensuring complete fermentation. You can look for brands that specifically market their products this way.

To minimize your carb intake, you should avoid dessert wines, fortified wines like Port, and any bottles labeled as 'sweet' or 'late harvest'. These contain high amounts of residual sugar.

Generally, yes, though this is not a strict rule. Lighter-bodied reds like Pinot Noir often have fewer carbs because they are made in a drier style. However, the carb count ultimately depends on the residual sugar left after fermentation, which can vary between all styles.