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White wine is the preferred drink of many people and can add a light, fresh taste to any wine pairing menu without the tannins in wine of red wines. However, it’s also the target of many low-calorie diets as a major contributor to fat.
White wine naturally has a lower sugar content than red wine, but often has sugar added after fermentation to increase the sweetness. So, how does this really impact the calorie count?
Keep reading to learn about calories in white wine and how you can estimate your total intake by how you drink and how much.
How Many Calories in White Wine?
White wine has an average of 24 calories per ounce. This number is only slightly lower than that of red wine. This is because there is such a broad spectrum of white wines. A wine like a riesling will come in below average but another white like a sweet dessert wine will be far above it. It's important to check both the ABV and sugar content of white wine to understand where it falls on the spectrum. Any added sugar will add up quickly.
White wine is also perfect for making slushies. So grab that low calorie wine, freeze the wine, and get ready for a delicious treat that doesn't break your diet.
Calories In 4 Oz White Wine
A 4 oz glass of white wine contains an average of 96 calories. If you’re looking to limit your caloric intake, but still want to enjoy a taste white wine varietal, you can stick with a smaller 4 oz pour. You might find that this pour is much smaller than you expect, so you’ll probably need to measure as you pour if you really want to keep your calories under 100.
Calories In 5 Oz White Wine
A 5 oz glass of white wine contains an average of 120 calories. A 5 oz pour is the standard wine pour you’ll see in most bars and restaurants. That means the most likely scenarios is that you’ll be consuming around 120 calories per glass. Just remember, your pours at home will tend to be higher as 5 oz is a lot less than it sounds.
Calories In 6 Oz White Wine
A 6 oz glass of white wine contains an average of 144 calories. A 6 oz glass of wine is more likely to be what you actually consume at home. It fills out the glass just a little bit more than the standard pour, but doesn’t add to much in the way of calories.
Calories In 8 Oz White Wine
An 8 oz glass of white wine contains an average of 192 calories. This is about 8 calories less than a comparable glass than red wine, so you can start to see the caloric difference the more you drink. That being said, remember that many winemakers add sugar to their white wines after fermentation, so the calorie count can go up dramatically if you pick a white wine that’s classified as a dessert wine.
Calories in a Glass of White Wine
A 5 oz glass of white wine contains an average of 120 calories. There is only a 5-calorie difference between this and the calories in red wine of a comparable red wine. Don't let that fool you. Those calories add up quickly with each glass you have. You might want to stick to white wines if you plan on having multiple glasses. If sticking to a single glass, don't worry so much.
Calories in a Bottle of White Wine
A 750mL bottle of white wine contains an average of 600 calories. The lowest calorie white wine actually comes in at about 400 calories, which is a big difference. A bottle of white is your best bet for having a delicious treat without worrying too much about the calories in wine.
There are a number of white "diet wines" available on the market. Since you can get a bottle of white wine that has fewer calories than your average can of soda, we don't think they're necessary.
How to Calculate White Wine Calories
You don’t have to take our word for how many calories are in your white wine, you can estimate them yourself. To still get a fairly accurate calorie count, you need to know the ABV of the wine. Most bottles will list the ABV for you, but you can also make an educated guess. In general, there are about 158 calories in 1 oz of pure alcohol.
So, let’s say you’re using a standard 5 oz pour of a white wine with 11% ABV.
You can use the ABV formula below to find the calorie count:
Ounces x ABV x 1.6 = Alcohol Calories
5 x 11 x 1.6 = 88 Alcohol Calories
We find that a 5 oz glass of a white wine with 11% ABV contains an estimated 88 calories. It’s still important to remember that many white winemakers will fortify the wine by adding additional sugar, so you may want to add an additional 20 calories or so just to be safe.
White Wine, Blowing Through My Mind
White wine tends to have a higher sugar and calorie content than comparable reds (see: how much sugar in wine). You should also look into the average alcohol content of wine. Maybe even look into the best white wine for cooking and the best white wine in general. However, wine naturally is still better than comparable soft drinks and cocktails, so it’s not necessarily the area where you need to skimp. If you are concerned, you can always switch to a low-calorie drink or try a red wine instead. Or you can look into the calories in rose wine.
We also recommend checking out some of the best wine aerators or best wine decanters. These tools add just the right amount of air into the wine, drawing out more complex flavors and ensuring you get the most out of your drink.