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How Many Calories In A Bottle Of White Wine?

Ryan Marshall
Last Updated: February 25th, 2023

Determining the calorie content of many different types of food and beverages is usually a simple and straightforward process.

Manufacturers are required to display the exact amount of calories contained in an item directly on its label, making calories a simple thing to track for many fitness and health enthusiasts.

Determining how many calories are in a bottle of white wine is a bit more difficult, as alcoholic beverage producers are not required to display the same nutrition information as food and non-alcoholic drinks. While every glass of wine is different, most will average around 120 calories per 5 ounces.

When answering “how many calories in a bottle of white wine” there is a slight difference depending on the type. Let’s break it down!

How Many Calories In A Bottle Of White Wine by Type

Chardonnay

chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the most popular types of white wine in the entire world, accounting for a huge chunk of white wine sales both in France and the United States. Chardonnay is the most planted white wine grape in the state of California, and the number one selling white wine in the entire world.

The average five-ounce pour of Chardonnay will contain between 120 and 123 calories, and the average bottle will total somewhere between 600 and 615 calories.

There are two main styles of Chardonnay being produced today, each with its own distinct flavors, characteristics, and finishes. ‘Oaked” and “Unoaked” are the two main camps when it comes to Chardonnay style, with the main difference being how the wine is aged.

Due to the fact that the alcohol by volume and residual sugar content of both of these styles are fairly similar, there will not be a discernible difference in calorie count based on whether the wine is oaked or unoaked.

Factors like temperature and climate of the grape growing region are more likely to have an effect on the calorie count of Chardonnay than the way it is aged, as warmer climates produce grapes with more sugar.

More sugar means more “fuel” for the yeast, leading to overall higher alcohol content. Alcohol and sugar are the two primary factors that will determine the number of calories in any bottle of wine, regardless of style or grape varietal.

Sauvignon Blanc

sauvignon blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is another extremely popular varietal type of white wine and is well known for its bright taste and crisp, light finish. This makes it an extremely popular summertime wine and opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to food and wine pairings.

The average glass of Sauvignon Blanc contains a bit fewer calories than the average glass of Chardonnay, coming in between 119 and 122 calories per five-ounce pour. This makes a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc between 595 and 610 total calories.

New Zealand has fully embraced this grape since its arrival to the islands in the early 1970s, and it is now the most widely planted grape in the entire country.

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand has a distinct aroma of grapefruit and white peach and is a perfect fit for calorie-counting wine enthusiasts who have a bit of a sweet tooth.

An enzyme unique to the soils of the Marlborough region on the Northern portion of New Zealand’s South Island imparts this unique fruity aroma, and the result is a fruity white wine with a touch of sweetness and crisp acidity.

The residual sugar content in Sauvignon Blanc is usually relatively low, as well as the alcohol by volume. For these reasons, it makes one of the best white wines for those counting calories, while still offering a delicious burst of fruit on the palate.

Pinot Grigio

pinot grigio

Pinot Grigio is the second most popular white wine grape in the entire world, accounting for roughly half as many sales as Chardonnay worldwide. This is another fantastic white wine option for calorie-conscious wine enthusiasts, as it is almost always low in residual sugar.

Most five-ounce glasses of Pinot Grigio contain between 120 and 123 calories, meaning that a full bottle will contain between 600 and 615 calories.

The taste of Pinot Grigio can range from extremely floral to bright and fruity with hints of lemon and pear. This type of wine is usually very dry, meaning it contains low amounts of residual sugar.

The alcohol content is also relatively low in Pinot Grigio, measuring in between 12.5% and 13.5% alcohol by volume. By contrast, some of the most popular California Cabernet Sauvignons can reach up to 15% and 16% alcohol content, leading to more calories.

Pinot Grigio is a fairly acidic wine grape, which is great for wine enthusiasts who prefer a large burst of flavor, without piling on the calories.

When balanced correctly, a highly acidic wine can impart more flavor to the palate than a full-bodied sweet wine.

How To Find Calorie Content of Wine

how to find calorie content of wine

While there is no universally agreed-upon method for determining the exact calorie count of any given bottle of wine, there are a few helpful formulas that can help provide a general idea of its caloric content.

The United States Department of Agriculture has provided a formula for estimating how many calories are in a bottle of wine, though many have pointed out that it is not a perfect method by any means.

Start multiplying the alcohol by volume number with the number of ounces that are being consumed or measured. Then multiply this total by 1.8, and the result will provide an estimated caloric content.

As a general rule, alcohol contains approximately seven calories per gram, while sugar contains four calories per gram. These numbers can be extremely useful for those trying to determine the calorie content of wine on their own.

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About The Author

Ryan Marshall

Ryan is a full time freelance writer who can most often be found on the disc golf course or local coffee shop when not behind a keyboard. He is an avid traveler and lover of all things sports and outdoors. Ryan is also a certified level one sommelier, and is endlessly curious about the world of high end beverages. Writing about wine, coffee, and other specialty beverages has given him a chance to take a deeper dive into his research, and he loves helping people find the perfect drink for their palates and preferences!

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