If you’re dieting or trying to monitor your sugar intake for health reasons, you may think you have to forgo the occasional glass of vino because of the sugar in wine. Think again! Not all wines are loaded to the brim with sweeteners that will wreak havoc on your system. In fact, there are many varietals (red, white, and sparkling) that contain little sugar, allowing you to maintain your dietary goals.
The trick is, knowing which ones to sip and which ones to skip.
Why Does Wine Contain Sugar?
Understanding the fermentation process is key to determining which wine has the least amount of sugar. As wine ferments, yeast turns naturally occurring sugars into alcohol. The longer a wine ferments, the lower the levels of sugar and the higher the alcohol content.
Dry wines, such as pinot noir, chardonnay, and brut Champagne, average 1 to 3 grams of sugar per 5 ounce pour. Sweeter wines, such as a riesling or zinfandel, can contain a