Which Wine Has the Lowest Carbs? A Guide to Keto-Friendly Choices

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

An average glass of dry red or white wine contains about 3-4 grams of carbohydrates, making it a viable option for a low-carb diet compared to many other alcoholic beverages. If you're specifically wondering which wine has the lowest carbs, the answer hinges on understanding the winemaking process and residual sugar.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the carbohydrate content in different types of wine, from sparkling to still. It explains how to identify low-carb options by understanding key label terms and the fermentation process, helping you make informed choices.

Key Points

Driest is Lowest in Carbs: The amount of residual sugar left after fermentation determines the carb content; choose dry wines for the lowest count.
Brut Nature is Best for Bubbles: Brut Nature sparkling wines contain the lowest amount of residual sugar, typically less than one gram of carbs per glass.
Top Dry White Wines: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are among the best low-carb white wine options, containing around 2-4 grams of carbs per glass.
Choose Lighter Red Wines: Opt for dry, lighter-bodied reds like Pinot Noir and Merlot over sweeter or full-bodied varieties to minimize carb intake.
Avoid Dessert and Fortified Wines: Sweet wines like Port, Sherry, and Ice Wine are very high in sugar and should be avoided on a low-carb diet.
Read Labels Carefully: Look for terms like 'Dry', 'Brut', or 'Trocken' and avoid 'Late Harvest', 'Doux', or 'Demi-Sec'.
Moderation is Crucial: Remember that alcohol temporarily slows fat burning and is best consumed in moderation, regardless of the carb count.

The Core of Carbs in Wine

Understanding the carb content of wine starts with the fermentation process. Winemakers add yeast to grape juice, and the yeast consumes the natural sugars, converting them into alcohol. The key determinant of a wine's carbohydrate level is the amount of residual sugar (RS) left in the wine after fermentation is complete. The drier the wine, the less residual sugar it contains, and consequently, the fewer carbs per glass.

Dry vs. Sweet: Dry wines undergo a more complete fermentation, converting most of the sugar into alcohol. Sweet wines, on the other hand, have their fermentation process stopped early, leaving more sugar behind.
Alcohol Content: Wines with a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) often, but not always, have a lower residual sugar content because more sugar was converted to alcohol.

How to Read a Wine Label for Low Carbs

Since most wine labels in the U.S. don't list nutritional information, you need to rely on the terminology used to determine the sweetness and carb level. Look for these specific terms to find the lowest carb options:

For Sparkling Wines: Look for 'Brut Nature' (or 'Brut Zero'), 'Extra Brut', and 'Brut'. These are the driest categories with the least amount of residual sugar.
For Still Wines: The term 'Dry' indicates a low-sugar wine. Old World wines from European regions like France and Italy tend to favor dryness, so searching by region can also be a useful strategy.
Terms to Avoid: Steer clear of terms like 'Late Harvest', 'Dessert Wine', 'Süss' (German for sweet), 'Doux' (French for sweet), and 'Fortified Wine', as these indicate a high sugar and carb content.

The Lowest-Carb Sparkling Wines

For those who love bubbles, sparkling wines offer some of the lowest-carb options available, provided you choose wisely.

Brut Nature Sparkling Wine: This is the absolute driest style of sparkling wine, with virtually zero grams of residual sugar and less than one gram of carbs per 5 oz glass.
Extra Brut Champagne: Slightly less dry than Brut Nature but still very low-carb, Extra Brut contains 1–2 grams of carbs per glass.
Prosecco and Cava (Brut): Many brut versions of these popular sparkling wines contain only 2–3 grams of carbs per glass.

The Lowest-Carb White Wines

Dry white wines are generally lower in carbohydrates than their red counterparts, making them a refreshing choice for a low-carb diet.

Sauvignon Blanc: Known for its crisp, zesty profile, a 5 oz glass of Sauvignon Blanc typically contains 2–3 grams of carbs.
Pinot Grigio: A popular and light-bodied option, Pinot Grigio usually has around 2.5–3.8 grams of carbs per serving.
Unoaked Chardonnay: While oaked Chardonnay can have higher carbs, the unoaked variety is a dry, smooth choice with a lower carb count, averaging around 3.2 grams per glass.
Albariño and Vermentino: These varietals offer bright, mineral-driven profiles and typically fall into the low-carb range of 2.5–3 grams per glass.

The Lowest-Carb Red Wines

While slightly higher in carbs than dry whites due to their structure, several dry red wines are excellent choices for a low-carb lifestyle.

Pinot Noir: A light-bodied and fruity red, Pinot Noir contains approximately 3.4 grams of carbs per 5 oz glass.
Merlot: This smooth, fruit-forward wine is a solid low-carb option, with about 3.7 grams of carbs per serving.
Cabernet Sauvignon: A bold and structured red, Cabernet Sauvignon generally has around 3.8 grams of carbs per glass.

High-Carb Wines to Avoid

To keep your carb count low, it's crucial to avoid certain types of wine that are high in residual sugar.

Dessert Wines: These are purposefully sweet, often with 10+ grams of carbs per serving. Examples include Moscato, Ice Wine (Eiswein), and Sauternes.
Fortified Wines: Additives like brandy increase the alcohol and sugar content significantly. This category includes Port, Sherry, and Madeira, which can contain up to 20 grams of carbs per serving.
Late Harvest Wines: These are made from grapes picked late in the season, after the natural sugars have been concentrated. The result is a much sweeter, high-carb wine.
Cheap, Mass-Produced Wines: Some commercial winemakers add sugar to mask lower-quality flavors, so stick to higher-quality, traditionally made options.

Comparison of Low-Carb Wine Carb Content


Wine Type	Average Carbs per 5 oz (approx.)	Best Options	Notes
Sparkling	0–3 g	Brut Nature, Extra Brut	The driest choice, nearly zero carbs.
Dry White	2–4 g	Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Unoaked Chardonnay	Light and crisp with minimal carbs.
Dry Red	3–4 g	Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon	Fuller body, slightly more carbs than dry whites.
Dry Rosé	2.9–3.4 g	Dry Provence-style rosé	Minimal carbs, but check the sweetness level.

The Low-Carb Wine Lifestyle

Moderation is key when including wine in a low-carb diet. Even though some wines are low in carbs, alcohol itself is metabolized by the body before fat, temporarily slowing down the fat-burning process. Being mindful of serving sizes and alternating with water is essential for staying on track. By focusing on dry varieties and understanding the label, you can enjoy a glass of wine without sabotaging your dietary goals. For more in-depth information on the various sweetness levels of Champagne, you can visit a resource like Wine Folly.

Conclusion

For those on a low-carb diet, the search for a suitable wine comes down to one key factor: dryness. Wines with the least residual sugar are the lowest in carbohydrates. While Brut Nature sparkling wine offers the lowest carb count of all, dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, and dry red wines such as Pinot Noir and Merlot, are also excellent choices. By steering clear of sweet dessert wines and fortified options and focusing on labels that indicate dryness, you can confidently include wine in your nutrition plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The lowest carb sparkling wine is Brut Nature, also known as Brut Zero. It has less than 3 grams of residual sugar per liter, resulting in the lowest carbohydrate count of all sparkling wine varieties.

Generally, dry white wines have slightly fewer carbs than dry red wines. However, the difference is often marginal, with both typically falling into the 2-4 gram per 5 oz glass range.

Sweet wines have a higher carb count because the fermentation process is stopped early, leaving a higher amount of unfermented residual sugar in the finished product. Dessert wines and fortified wines are prime examples.

Yes, you can drink wine on a keto diet, but you must choose wisely. Stick to dry wines, such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, or Brut Champagne, and consume in moderation to stay within your daily carb limits.

Look for terms that indicate dryness, such as 'Brut Nature', 'Extra Brut', 'Brut', or simply 'Dry'. These signify a minimal amount of residual sugar, meaning a lower carb content.

Residual sugar is the natural grape sugar that remains in the wine after fermentation. The higher the residual sugar, the sweeter and higher in carbohydrates the wine will be.

It is not strictly necessary to avoid alcohol entirely. However, alcohol does slow down your body's fat-burning process, so moderation is key. Some individuals, especially those on a strict ketogenic diet, may choose to abstain during certain phases.