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In the last several years, dietary plans with lower consumption of carbohydrates have become popular. The ketogenic diet, or keto, is one of them. For some people, this is a way to lose weight while for others have become a lifestyle.
If you run a business in the hospitality industry, this is crucial to know and use to your advantage. To be a successful bar or restaurant owner, you need to offer a variety that will suit the tastes and preferences of as many people as possible. Vegan drinks and gluten-free drinks are just two of the many categories to consider.
For the guests who are on a keto diet or follow a similar dietary plan, you should offer a range of drinks with low carbohydrates. There’s a range of non-alcoholic drinks that are suitable but you can also make low-carb cocktails and serve low-carb wine. The latter may even help you be among the top wine lists in the United States and get a Wine Spectator award.
Since we have already covered a lot of special types of drinks on our blog, now it is time to tell you more about low-carb wine. There are a few specifics of this type of wine that you need to be aware of, as well as other interesting facts. If you are interested in learning more about this unique wine type, just keep reading!
What Is Low-Carb Wine?
Low-carb wines are wines that contain fewer carbohydrates than traditional wines. The carb content of wines comes mostly from residual sugars, which are natural sugars that are left behind in the wine after the fermentation is complete.
All wines contain some amount of carbohydrates. However, low-carb wines are ones that have a lower residual sugar level. Different varieties of wine can be low on carbohydrates.
Key Takeaway: Low-carb wine is great for people on a ketogenic diet. There are also plenty of options when it comes to wine-based cocktails with low carbohydrate content. Having such drinks on your menu will set your business apart from the rest, as you will be able to please more customers.
What Types of Wines Are Low on Carbs?
The carbohydrate content of the wine strongly depends on the grapes used to make it and the residual sugar content. That’s why some types of wine are naturally lower in carbs while others have a significantly higher carb content.
The following list will help you to better understand which wines are low-carb wines. Sommeliers would recommend these types of wines to customers on a keto diet and so should your waiters.
1. Dry Wines
Dry wines tend to have lower residual sugar levels compared to sweeter wines. They are fermented until most of the grape sugars are converted into alcohol. That results in a wine that is lower in carbohydrates.
The dry wines with lower carbohydrates are:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Grigio
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet Sauvignon
2. Sparkling Wines
Many sparkling wines are also low in carbohydrates because they undergo a secondary fermentation process that further reduces residual sugar levels. That’s a piece of great news for anyone who loves a nice glass of bubbly with their brunch but also wants to stay on the low-carb side.
A good example of low-carb wine that is also a bubbly is any of the following:
- Brut Champagne
- Brut Cava
- Brut Prosecco
3. Light Wines
Lighter styles of wine often have lower alcohol content and therefore may contain fewer carbohydrates compared to fuller-bodied wines. They also make the best wine pairings with light, vegetarian dishes, or seafood dishes.
The lighter wines to recommend to any customers on a low-carb diet are:
- Vinho Verde
- Albariño
- Grüner Veltliner
4. Organic and Biodynamic Wines
Some organic and biodynamic wines are made with minimal intervention and may have lower residual sugar levels. These wines are often labeled as organic or biodynamic and may be a good option for those seeking low-carb wine.
5. Sugar-Free Wines
As you already know, the carbohydrates in wine come from the sugar residue. This means that when you remove the sugar from wine, you get a bottle of low-carb wine! Some winemakers have taken matters into their own hands and are producing “sugar-free” or “no added sugar: wines. They are specially designed to be low on carbs.
These wines undergo a special fermentation process or they have the sugar removed during the wine-making process. Either way, the result is a wine with a low-carb content.
Wine-Based Drinks for People on a Ketogenic Diet
Having a long and well-curated wine list is great. But the truth is that not all people like drinking wine on its own. Lots of customers nowadays, including people on a ketogenic diet, prefer wine cocktails or other wine-based drinks.
To inspire you to add new options to your beverage menu, we have curated a list of wine-based drinks that lack carbs.
- Wine spritzer with sugar-free flavors - use syrups with no sugar to flavor the spritzer. Use flavors like raspberry or strawberry.
- Keto-friendly sangria - to make a keto-friendly sangria you need dry red wine and stevia or erythritol as a sweetener. For the fruit choose berries, lime, and lemon.
- Wine and keto-friendly mixers - use dry wine with keto-friendly drink mixers such as diet tonic water, club soda, or flavored sparkling water.
- Wine and keto-friendly liqueurs - keto wine cocktails can be made with dry red wine and liqueurs. Use sugar-free syrups like coffee liqueur, or sugar-free flavored vodka.
- Wine cocktails with fresh herbs - make low-carb wine drinks with fresh herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary. These herbs add flavors but without adding any carbs.
It’s important to note that if you are avoiding carb consumption, you need to drink any of these cocktails in moderation. Low-carb wine needs to be consumed with caution, too. If you drink a lot of any of these drinks, you may ruin your diet and/or feel the bad effects of alcohol. Although there are plenty of health benefits of wine, over-drinking can lead to the opposite.
Frequently Asked Questions about Low-Carb Wine and Ketogenic Diets
If you still have questions about low-carb wine and keto diets, read the questions we have answered below!
Can I Drink Wine While on a Keto Diet?
Yes. Wine can be consumed in moderation as part of a ketogenic diet. Especially if you choose low-carb options like dry wines. However, be mindful of portion sizes and track your carbohydrate intake to ensure it fits within your daily macros.
How Many Carbs Are in a Glass of Wine?
The carbohydrate content of wine can vary depending on the type and serving size. On average, a standard 5-ounce (148 ml) glass of dry wine contains about 2-4 grams of carbohydrates. However, this can vary depending on the specific wine.
Are There Any Keto-Friendly Wine Cocktails?
Yes. There are several keto-friendly wine cocktails. These include wine spritzers made with dry wine and sparkling water, keto-friendly sangria with dry red wine and sugar-free sweeteners, and wine-based cocktails with keto-friendly mixers and liqueurs.
What Should I Look For When Choosing Low-Carb Wine?
When choosing low-carb wine, look for dry wines with minimal residual sugar levels. Opt for wines labeled as "dry" or "extra dry," and avoid sweeter wine styles like dessert wines or late-harvest wines.