Ever been enjoying your drink when suddenly you realise you do not know how much alcohol you've already consumed? If you are nodding your head 'yes', shyly, just know this is a judgment-free zone. And from us at Bev, we can say with absolute certainty that we have been there and done that.
What Are the Lowest Calorie Wines?
If you are trying to cut your calorie intake and achieve weight loss, don't pass on a night out with friends because there are plenty of low-cal wine options out there! The wines below will allow you to indulge without worrying about a ton of extra calories and without sacrificing taste. So let's talk about some of the best low-calorie wines from California to New Zealand, we got you covered with a variety of options.
California Rosé
Because rose wine has a low alcohol content, it is lower-calorie than its high-sugar red and white wine counterparts. In a 175ml glass of rosé wine, there are about 138 calories (though, as we’ve explained, the calorie count will change depending on the sweetness and ABV of the wine).
California Pinot Noir
This dry red has complex flavors ranging from raspberry, cherry, and mushroom.
California Pinot Grigio
Light-bodied, dry white, and zesty with fruity flavors like lime, pear, lemon, apple, and white nectarine, Pinot Grigio clocks in at 120 calories per 5-ounce serving. Another common choice is Pinot Gris as well.
California Sauvignon Blanc
Another dry wine, you can expect it to have very little residual sugar. Light-bodied, herbaceous wine with herbal aromas like grass and bell pepper, Sauvignon Blanc has 122 calories per five ounce glass.
Do All Wines Have Sugar?
Some may argue that sugar-free wine is a bit of a misnomer. All alcohol is derived from sugar, and therefore, sugar is kind of a big deal in alcohol. During the alcohol fermentation process, regardless of its wine, beer, or spirits, naturally occurring sugars convert into carbon dioxide and ethyl alcohol. It's true that there would be no alcohol without sugar and more importantly, there would be no wine. And what is life without wine?!
As you may already know, many things determine the sugar content of each alcoholic beverage. Beer, for instance, gets its sugar from cereal grains. Rum, on the other hand, gets its sugar from sugar cane. What you might not know, however, is that the added sugar levels in these drinks also differ greatly. For instance, wine contains significantly more sugar than beer does — and it gets its sugar from grapes!
Can Wine Be Healthy?
The fact is, wine can be part of a healthy, balanced diet if you drink moderately. That's why it is necessary to understand how many calories and the nutritional value in a bottle of wine to be sure you're enjoying a healthy limit. But the issue is: while most wine labels are beautiful and eye-catching, they do not share nutritional facts like other foods and drinks.
Apparently, the FDA doesn't believe that alcoholic beverages are nutritious enough to be labeled as such. Alcohol, however, does have health benefits. In regions where daily consumption is common, men and women are less likely to die from heart attacks and stroke.
According to the American Heart Association, men should consume no more than two glasses of wine per day and women should limit wine consumption to one glass of wine per day. One drink typically consists of five ounces of wine, which equates to 129 calories in a five ounce pour. A five ounce pour of wine includes approximately 64 mg of alcohol, which equals one-and-a-half drinks according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
The truth is there are calories in wine, and there are more calories than you probably think, especially if you are doing your pours wrong. But we do not want to say you should avoid drinking your favorite beverage simply because wine has calories. Instead, we'll educate you so you can make smart decisions on your wine so that you can continue drinking it with less guilt.
Alcohol
Vino with a higher alcohol content means it also has higher calories. Alcohol contains seven calories per gram, and a wine's alcohol increases so does the number of calories in the wine. Most wines fall between 11-13% alcohol content, but the lower alcohol wine has the better you can say the drink is for you.
Carbs
While many people vilify carbs when it comes to diet, however, we think they're delicious. Carbs in wine are mainly sugar and contain around four calories per gram. It is also essential to know that wines vary in sugar amounts. Dry wines have little to no residual sugar and have fewer calories than sparkling wine. Dry wine contains around four grams of carbs per serving, while, in contrast, sweet wine can have about twenty grams of carbs. This is different when you compare bubbly drinks such as champagne or moscato.
Although we are making this seem straightforward, we admit that sometimes it can be confusing. Just because a wine is dry does not mean it will have fewer calories. If a wine is dry and high in alcohol content, it can have even more calories than sweet wine. When looking for a low-calorie wine, it is essential to pay attention to both the sugar and alcohol content.
We're busting the myth that red wine, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, have less sugar than white wine, such as Chardonnay and Riesling! While it is true that red wine is more nutritious than its white counterpart, the difference in sugar content between the two types of wine is not significant enough for a regular consumer to detect. The sugar content of both wines is relatively low in comparison to other alcoholic beverages on the market.
Red wine has all of the health benefits that white wine has, and then some. Unlike white wine, which is created by removing the grape skins, seeds, and stems before fermentation, red wine is fermented with the entire grape, including its skin, seeds, and stems. This means that red wine contains more resveratrol than white wine.
Red wine provides more health benefits than white wine because it contains more resveratrol. Research suggests that resveratrol may be the key ingredient in red wine that can reduce harmful cholesterol levels, prevent damage to blood vessels, and lower blood clots' risk.
Although red wine may trump white wine when it comes to health benefits, it is certainly not the only drink up for the job. In fact, drinking white wine has some health benefits of its own! White wine contains antioxidant properties that help prevent cancer, and some research indicates that it can also protect the heart from aging.
Does Healthy Wine Taste Good?
Finally! An opportunity to talk about ourselves! This is where we are our very best selves! YES. Healthy wine is delicious and we are living, breathing, delicious proof to get you ready for any occasion whether it be a night out or New Years Eve.
Meet our girls:
BEV ROSÉ: she's crisp, dry, and a Lil' fizzy with aromatics of fresh strawberry and raspberry, paired with a crisp white peach finish.
BEV BLANC: she's zippy and a Lil' fizzy with aromatics of crisp green apple, white nectarine, and a light, fresh, citrus finish.
BEV GRIS: she's bright and a Lil' fizzy with light and refreshing notes of elderflower, pear, and a zesty grapefruit finish.
BEV NOIR: she's edgy, dry, and a Lil' fizzy - a delicate, coastal pinot, with aromatics of citrus blossoms & fresh pomegranate, paired with a light blackberry finish.
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