How Many Calories Are in Wine?

A typical 150ml glass of dry wine contains around 100–140 calories, while sweeter or higher-alcohol wines can contain more. Wine calories vary mainly depending on the alcohol content, residual sugar and serving size. And while red, white, and rosé may look very different in your glass, the colour alone doesn’t determine how many calories it contains.

Let’s take a look at how some of your favourite wine styles compare.

Wine Calories at a Glance

Please note: These are estimates. Two wines of the same type can have different calorie counts depending on their alcohol level and residual sugar.

What Actually Adds Calories to Wine?

When it comes to wine calories, there are three things worth keeping in mind: alcohol, residual sugar and serving size.

Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the biggest contributors to wine calories. It contains about 7 calories per gram, so wines with a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) generally have more calories.

This is why a bold, higher-alcohol red can contain more calories than a lighter wine, even if both wines are completely dry. So, a wine being low in sugar doesn't automatically make it low in calories. A dry wine can contain very little residual sugar and still have a relatively high calorie count if its alcohol content is higher.

Residual Sugar

Residual sugar is the sugar that remains in wine after fermentation. Sugar contains around 4 calories per gram, so wines with more residual sugar will generally contain more calories.

Dry wines contain relatively little residual sugar, while off-dry and sweeter wines contain more. But sweetness isn't the whole story. Alcohol can contribute more calories overall, so the ABV is worth checking too. 

So, if you are comparing two bottles, do not look at sweetness alone. The alcohol percentage matters too.

Serving Size

How much wine you pour also matters. A 250ml glass of the same wine contains twice the calories of a 125ml serving. The wine has not changed, but the amount you are drinking has.

This is one of the easiest things to overlook when thinking about wine calories, particularly when enjoying a generous pour at home.

Does the Type of Wine Make a Difference?

Different wine styles can have different calorie counts, mainly because they tend to have different levels of alcohol and residual sugar. In fact, a lower-alcohol red can contain fewer calories than a higher-alcohol white. Let’s take a closer look below at some of the most popular wine styles.

Red Wine

When looking at red wine calories, dry reds often sit towards the higher end of the typical range because many red wines have relatively high alcohol levels. Popular examples include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, and Pinotage.

For a better idea of red wine calories, here's approximately what you can expect from a 150ml glass of popular dry red wines:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: 125-135 calories

• Shiraz: 130-140 calories

• Merlot: 125-130 calories

• Pinotage: 125-140 calories

These are estimates, as the calorie content can vary between bottles depending on their alcohol percentage and residual sugar.

That said, this isn't always the case. A lighter, lower-alcohol red can contain fewer calories than a higher-alcohol white or rosé. When comparing calories in red wine, it is better to look at the individual bottle rather than make assumptions based on its colour.

White Wine

Many dry white wines sit slightly lower in calories than full-bodied reds, although there is plenty of variation between bottles. Popular varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay can all have different calorie counts depending on their alcohol content and residual sugar.

Here's approximately how many calories you'll find in a 150ml glass of popular dry white wines:

• Sauvignon Blanc: 115-125 calories

• Chenin Blanc: 110-125 calories

• Chardonnay: 120-130 calories

These figures are estimates rather than exact values. Wines with higher alcohol levels or more residual sugar may contain more calories.

Rosé Wine

There is something wonderfully refreshing about a chilled glass of rosé, especially on a warm afternoon in the Cape.

When it comes to rosé wine calories, dry rosés generally fall within a similar range to dry white wines. A sweeter rosé can contain more calories because of its higher residual sugar. As always, the alcohol content and sweetness of the individual wine matter most.

Here's approximately how many calories you'll find in a 150ml glass of different rosé wine styles:

• Dry rosé: 110-130 calories

• Off-dry rosé: 120-145 calories

• Sweet rosé: 130-160+ calories

These are general estimates. A lower-alcohol sweet rosé may contain fewer calories than a stronger dry rosé, so it's worth checking the alcohol percentage too.

Sparkling Wine

Few things feel quite as celebratory as opening a bottle of sparkling wine. But what about sparkling wine calories?

Dry sparkling wines can sometimes sit towards the lower end of the typical calorie range because they often have moderate alcohol levels and relatively low residual sugar. Sweetness still makes a difference, though. A sweeter sparkling wine can contain more residual sugar than a Brut style, which can increase the overall calorie count.

Sparkling wine calories can vary depending on the sweetness level and alcohol content. 

• Brut Nature: Very dry, with less than 3g of sugar per litre and no added dosage sugar.

• Extra Brut: Very dry, with up to 6g of sugar per litre.

• Brut Dry: with less than 12g of sugar per litre.

• Extra Dry: Slightly sweeter than Brut, with 12-17g of sugar per litre.

• Demi-Sec: Sweet, with 32-50g of sugar per litre.

These classifications describe sugar content rather than total calories. Two sparkling wines with the same sweetness classification can have different calorie counts depending on their alcohol percentage.

How Much Does Your Pour Change the Calories?

The amount you pour affects how many calories you drink. A larger glass of the same wine contains more calories, even though its alcohol content and sugar levels haven't changed.

For example, if a 150ml glass of wine contains 120 calories, a 250ml serving of that same wine would contain approximately 200 calories.

This means that when comparing wine calories, it's worth checking the serving size as well as the type of wine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wine Calories

How many calories are in a bottle of wine?

A standard wine bottle contains 750ml. A typical bottle of dry wine may contain roughly 600–650 calories, although lower-alcohol wines may contain less and higher-alcohol or sweeter wines may contain more. When it comes to bottle of wine calories, the exact amount depends on the wine itself.

Which wines tend to be lower in calories?

Wines with lower alcohol and low residual sugar will generally contain fewer calories. This can include some lighter dry whites, dry rosés, dry sparkling wines and lower-ABV dry reds.

No single grape variety or wine colour is always the lowest-calorie choice. The individual wine tells you more.

Can you work out wine calories from the label?

You can get a reasonable estimate, although the label will not always give you enough information to calculate an exact figure. The most useful things to look for are:

• ABV

• Residual sugar, if supplied

• Serving size

ABV is particularly useful because alcohol makes up a significant part of a wine’s calorie content. Where available, producer nutritional information will give you a more accurate figure.

How many calories are in a glass of wine?

A typical 150ml glass of dry wine contains roughly 120–130 calories. The exact figure will depend on the wine's alcohol level and residual sugar.

How many calories are in a 250ml glass of wine?

A 250ml serving of a typical dry wine may contain roughly 200–215 calories, depending on the wine. That is considerably more than a standard 150ml pour of the same wine.

How many calories are in half a bottle of wine?

Half a standard bottle is 375ml. For a typical dry wine, this may contain roughly 300–325 calories.

Does sweet wine have more calories than dry wine?

Generally, yes. Sweet wines contain more residual sugar, which adds calories. However, alcohol matters too, so a high-alcohol dry wine can still contain more calories than a lower-alcohol sweeter wine.

Does higher-alcohol wine have more calories?

Generally, yes. Alcohol contains around 7 calories per gram, so a wine with a higher ABV will usually contain more calories than a similar wine with a lower ABV.

Is Sauvignon Blanc lower in calories than red wine?

It often can be, as many Sauvignon Blanc wines have moderate alcohol levels and little residual sugar. However, there is no universal answer. Comparing the ABV and sweetness of the actual wines will give you a better idea.

Is rosé lower in calories than red wine?

Dry rosé often contains slightly fewer calories than a higher-alcohol red, but this is not guaranteed. The alcohol percentage and residual sugar of each wine will determine the difference.

Is sparkling wine lower in calories than still wine?

Some dry sparkling wines can be relatively low in calories because they often have moderate alcohol levels and relatively low residual sugar. Sweeter sparkling styles may contain more.

Enjoy Your Wine, Whatever Your Preference

When it comes to wine calories, there's no need to choose between red, white or rosé based on colour alone. The alcohol content, sweetness and size of your glass will give you a much better idea of how many calories you're drinking. Whether you prefer a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a full-bodied Shiraz or a refreshing rosé, knowing what goes into your glass helps you make a more informed choice.

Whatever your preference, there's a wine to suit the occasion. Explore the HER Wine Collection to find a bottle you'll love.