white wine

Health conscious individuals are always interested in the caloric content of the foods and beverages they consume. The calories in white wine can vary dependent upon the wine itself. White drinks/wines is a term used to describe several varieties of wine, and the calories per glass of each can be different. For those who are watching their caloric intake and their general health and wellness, it is essential to understand not only the calories but also the carbohydrates contained in the wines they drink.

White wines can be found in several varieties, and these can range in calories and carbohydrates significantly. Though most white wines contain between 100 and 120 calories per five-ounce glass, some can run as high as 217. Grams of carbohydrates per glass can vary even among those wines with similar caloric content. If you are concerned about the calories in white wine, you’ll want to examine the specific type of wine for more insight.

The following table provides the calories and carbohydrate content of a five-ounce glass of white vino in the most common varieties on the market.

White Wine Type – Calories – Carbohydrates

  • Pinot Grigio – 100 – 2 grams
  • Riesling – 120 – 5 grams
  • Chardonnay – 120 – 1 grams
  • Brut Champagne – 115 – 3 grams
  • Doux Champagne – 120 – 5.1 grams
  • Sauvignon Blanc – 110 – 3 grams
  • Gewurztraminer- 120 – 4 grams
  • Vigonier – 120 – 1.1 grams
  • Dessert wine – 217 – 17 grams

If you’re watching your caloric intake, you’ll need to understand not only the calories and carbohydrates in wine, but also the manner in which your body processes these. The human body burns alcohol calories differently than it does those contained in other foods and beverages. Most calories obtained from foods and beverages are converted to fats. This is not the case with alcohol calories. The majority of alcohol calories are converted to acetate instead. Acetate conversion takes place in the liver which is the reason that alcohol consumption should be in moderation in order to prevent liver damage from long-term and excessive use.

Acetate burns more rapidly than fat. For this reason, the calories in white vino are not as critical to your general dietary count as are those in other foods and drinks you consume. You can count on as much as 95% of the calories in wine being converted to quick burning acetate.

By Mike Riggins