Quick Answer
Two glasses of wine can potentially make some people drunk, while others may not feel impaired. It depends on several factors like your body weight, metabolism, what you’ve eaten, the alcohol content of the wine, and your tolerance level. On average, two 5 oz pours of wine (about 12% alcohol) would contain 1-1.5 standard drinks. For some people, especially women, this may be enough to cause impairment and reach the legal limit for drunk driving (0.08% BAC). But everyone responds differently. Larger individuals and those with higher tolerances may not become drunk from just two glasses.
What constitutes being drunk?
There is no definitive scientific answer for exactly how much alcohol causes drunkenness. Legally, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% is the drunk driving limit in the U.S. At this level, almost all people will display signs of impairment like reduced coordination, difficulty walking straight, and delayed reaction times. Many states also consider a BAC of 0.05% or higher as “drunk” for operating vehicles or other equipment.
However, people exhibit different levels of intoxication at the same BAC. Some may feel buzzed at 0.03% while others show obvious signs of impairment like slurred speech closer to 0.15%. Alcohol tolerance also varies greatly between individuals. Regular heavy drinkers often have higher tolerances and can function better after several drinks compared to occasional drinkers.
The more accurate question becomes “at what point does alcohol impair your ability to drive safely or make sound decisions?” Unlike blood levels, this can’t be measured objectively. Drunkenness occurs along a spectrum. Even one drink can very slightly alter some people’s coordination and judgement. Two drinks may produce mild but noticeable changes in many individuals. By 3-4 drinks in one hour most are clearly “buzzed” if not intoxicated.
Factors that influence alcohol’s effects
Several main factors determine your level of intoxication and impairment after any given number of drinks:
Body weight
Alcohol distributes through the water in your body. The more you weigh, the more water you generally have, meaning the alcohol becomes more diluted. A small 5’2″ woman may become drunk after 2 glasses of wine, while a larger 6’0″ man may not.
Biological sex
Females tend to have higher blood alcohol concentrations per drink compared to males. This is partially because women’s bodies contain less water on average (more fat, less muscle), causing alcohol to be less diluted. Hormones may also play a role.
Metabolism & liver function
Your liver metabolizes alcohol at a certain pace. People with fast metabolisms may sober up quicker. Older adults, certain medications, and liver disease can slow this down. Genetics and family history also affect alcohol metabolism rates.
Food intake
Drinking on an empty stomach allows rapid absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. Eating food, especially proteins and fats, slows this process. Having a large meal before or while drinking moderates alcohol effects.
Tolerance
Heavy regular drinkers build up a tolerance where they require more alcohol to feel effects. Social or occasional drinkers have lower tolerances. History of alcohol abuse also increases tolerance through liver adaptations.
Drink strength & speed of consumption
Drinking higher alcohol beverages like liquor, or quickly downing multiple drinks, leads to faster intoxication as more ethanol floods your system. Sipping drinks slowly gives your body more time to metabolize the alcohol.
Standard drink sizes
To better compare “one drink” across different beverages, health organizations define a standard drink amount based on ethanol content:
– 12 fl oz regular beer = 8-9 fl oz malt liquor = 5 fl oz table wine = 1.5 fl oz 80-proof spirits = 1 fl oz 100-proof spirits
Each of these servings contains roughly 14 grams (0.6 oz) of ethanol alcohol. This equals one standard drink. At typical dining and pouring practices, one “glass” of wine is about 5 oz, or one standard drink.
Typical alcohol content of different drinks
– Beer: 4-6% alcohol
– Table wine: 11-13%
– Light beer: 3.5-4.5%
– Sweet wine: 9-11%
– Malt liquor: 5-9%
– Fortified wine: 16-20%
– Hard seltzer: 4-6%
– Distilled spirits: Usually 40% (80 proof)
So while regular beer, wine, and liquor are all considered one standard drink, wine contains the most pure alcohol per volume.
Effects of two glasses of wine
What happens after drinking two 5oz glasses of average 12% table wine in one hour?
– Total alcohol = About 2.5 fluid oz pure ethanol
– Equals roughly 1.5 standard drinks
– Estimated peak blood alcohol of 0.04 – 0.06% for a typical adult
For someone of average weight, this would produce minor but likely noticeable effects including:
– Slightly relaxed, buzzed feeling
– Warm sensations in face and limbs
– Subtly reduced coordination
– Impaired ability to multi-task
– Mildly delayed reaction time
– Tendency to speak louder
– Increased confidence, sociability
– Lower inhibitions
– Slightly reduced judgement & self-control
However, for smaller women and those unaccustomed to drinking, two wine glasses may potentially cause:
– BAC approaching or exceeding the legal limit of 0.08%
– Clear impairment in coordination, balance, reaction time
– Significant loss of fine motor control
– Slurred speech
– Poor focus and divided attention
– Lack of caution, risky behavior
So while most people would not be considered clinically “drunk” after just two glasses, it can potentially impair you enough to affect driving ability and decision making. Those smaller in stature and with low alcohol tolerance would likely experience stronger effects.
Factors that alter wine’s effects
Wine’s effects also depend on:
Alcohol content
Some wines are lower (7-9%) while fortified wines can be 20% alcohol or more. Two glasses of a big red Zinfandel (15%) will impact you faster than weaker whites.
Sugars & carbonation
Sweet wines and champagne tend to accelerate alcohol absorption compared to dry wines. The carbonation in bubbly wines speeds things up.
Drinking pace
Nursing two glasses of wine with food over 2-3 hours provides a gentler buzz versus gulping them down back-to-back on an empty stomach.
Medications & health conditions
Many drugs like antidepressants can amplify alcohol’s sedative properties. Medical issues like diabetes, gastrointestinal surgery, and cirrhosis slow metabolism of alcohol.
Caffeine content
Caffeinated alcoholic beverages trick you into feeling less drunk though judgment is still impaired. Your alertness masks typical warning signs to stop drinking.
Other individual factors
Mood, stress level, hydration status, lack of sleep, and genetics further influence alcohol response between people.
Strategies to drink responsibly
If you want to enjoy wine safely:
– Eat full meals before and while drinking
– Alternate with water to pace yourself
– Avoid high-risk activities for several hours after drinking
– Don’t drive for the rest of the day if impaired
– Know your limits and stop well before them
– Don’t mix alcohol with medications or energy drinks
– Monitor your drinks; standard sizes often contain 2+ pours
– Plan ahead for safe transportation like a rideshare
The bottom line
On average, two typical 5oz glasses of wine would contain 1-1.5 standard drinks. This may be enough to cause mild to moderate impairment in some individuals, especially smaller women. Larger men and those with higher drinking experience may not feel major effects. But alcohol tolerance varies widely. Ultimately your size, biology, and tolerance dictates whether two glasses takes you past your personal limits. Drink mindfully knowing alcohol affects everyone differently.
