Non-alcoholic wine, also known as dealcoholized wine, contains little to no alcohol due to the removal of ethanol during production. Despite having no or low alcohol content, non-alcoholic wine can still contain calories from grape sugars that remain after dealcoholization. The number of calories in non-alcoholic wine can vary depending on factors like grape variety, production method, and sweetness level.
Calorie Content in Non-Alcoholic Wines
On average, a 5 ounce (150 ml) serving of non-alcoholic red or white wine contains around 60-80 calories. This compares to around 100-125 calories in a standard 5oz glass of red or white wine with alcohol. However, calorie content can range higher or lower depending on the specific non-alcoholic wine.
For example, very dry, unsweetened non-alcoholic wines may contain minimal residual sugar and calories – some contain as little as 25 calories per serving. On the other hand, sweet varieties of non-alcoholic wine, like non-alcoholic Moscato, can contain around 120 calories or more per 5oz serving.
Here are some calorie estimates for popular non-alcoholic wine varieties and brands:
- Dry non-alcoholic white wine: 25-60 calories per 5oz
- Sweet non-alcoholic white wine: 80-120+ calories per 5oz
- Dry non-alcoholic red wine: 30-70 calories per 5oz
- Sweet non-alcoholic red wine: 90-120+ calories per 5oz
- Fre brand non-alcoholic wines: 65 calories per 5oz
- Sutter Home Fre non-alcoholic wines: 69 calories per 5oz
- Ariel non-alcoholic wines: 60 calories per 5oz
Factors Affecting Calorie Content
Several factors impact the calorie content in different non-alcoholic wines, including:
Grape Variety
The grape variety affects the natural sugar levels before fermentation. For example, Chardonnay grapes tend to be lower in sugar than grapes like Muscat or Riesling. So, non-alcoholic Chardonnay will likely have less residual sugar after dealcoholization compared to non-alcoholic Moscato. Higher sugar equals more calories.
Sweetness Level
The sweetness level greatly impacts the calorie count. Dry non-alcoholic wines have minimal sugars, while sweet varieties can have high amounts of added sugars. For example, dry Brut non-alcoholic sparkling wine may contain 30 calories per serving, while demi-sec and sweet sparkling non-alcoholic wine can have 90-120+ calories.
Production Method
How the wine is dealcoholized also impacts calories. Methods like reverse osmosis and vacuum distillation completely remove alcohol while retaining sugars and flavors. Other methods like controlled fermentation partly convert sugars. So vacuum distillation may result in lower calories than controlled fermentation.
Additional Ingredients
Some producers add ingredients like juice concentrates or flavorings during production, which adds calories. Reading nutrition labels carefully can give insights into these additions.
Comparing Calories in Non-Alcoholic and Regular Wine
Non-alcoholic wine is lower in calories compared to regular wine with alcohol. Here’s a calorie comparison:
| Wine Type | Calories (5oz / 150ml) |
|---|---|
| Regular white wine (dry) | 120-130 |
| Non-alcoholic white wine (dry) | 25-60 |
| Regular red wine (dry) | 110-125 |
| Non-alcoholic red wine (dry) | 30-70 |
| Regular white wine (sweet) | 150-170 |
| Non-alcoholic white wine (sweet) | 80-120+ |
As shown, dry non-alcoholic wine can have around half the calories of regular dry wine. Sweet non-alcoholic wine has slightly fewer calories than regular sweet wine. However, calories increase significantly as non-alcoholic wines get sweeter.
Lower Calories than Juice or Soda
Non-alcoholic wine is also generally lower in calories compared to fruit juices or soft drinks. A 5oz glass of non-alcoholic wine contains around half the calories of an equal serving of apple juice or soda.
Here is a calorie comparison of non-alcoholic wines versus other beverages:
| Beverage | Calories (5oz / 150ml) |
|---|---|
| Non-alcoholic wine (dry) | 25-70 |
| Apple juice | 115 |
| Cranberry juice cocktail | 140 |
| Soda (regular) | 115-150 |
So non-alcoholic wine can be a lower calorie option compared to juice or soda. However, calories add up quickly if consuming larger servings.
Tips for Consuming Non-Alcoholic Wine
Here are some tips for enjoying non-alcoholic wine as a low calorie beverage:
- Stick to dry varieties to limit calories.
- Watch your serving size – don’t overpour.
- Enjoy alongside food instead of sipping on its own.
- Select lighter options like non-alcoholic white wine spritzers.
- Alternate with zero-calorie beverages like seltzer.
- Avoid mixing with high calorie juices or sodas.
Nutritional Profile
In addition to calories from carbohydrates, non-alcoholic wine contains small amounts of other nutrients:
Protein
Non-alcoholic wine contains minimal protein. A 5oz serving provides 0-0.5g protein.
Fat
Non-alcoholic wine does not contain fat or cholesterol.
Carbohydrates
The carbohydrate content is 1-6g per 5oz serving. All carbohydrates are from residual grape sugars.
Vitamins and Minerals
Non-alcoholic wine provides a small amount of potassium. Some varieties may also contain traces of B vitamins and antioxidants from grapes.
Health Benefits
Here are some of the potential health benefits of non-alcoholic wines:
- Source of antioxidants like resveratrol from grape skins and seeds
- Supports heart health when consumed in moderation
- Contains polyphenols that may protect cells from damage
- Alternative to sugary drinks or juices
- Can be part of a healthy Mediterranean-style diet
However, these benefits are generally minimal compared to red or white wine with alcohol. Non-alcoholic wine should not be viewed as a health drink.
Downsides
Potential downsides of non-alcoholic wine include:
- Easy to overconsume since it contains no alcohol
- Low in nutritional value if heavily processed
- Sweet varieties can be high in added sugars
- May trigger cravings for regular alcoholic wine
Those managing diabetes or weight issues should be mindful of serving sizes and sweetness levels.
Conclusion
In summary, non-alcoholic wine contains around 60-80 calories per 5oz serving on average. However, calorie content varies based on factors like grape variety, sweetness, and production method. Dry, unsweetened varieties tend to be lowest in calories. Non-alcoholic wine has fewer calories compared to regular wine, juice, or soda. But calories can add up if consumed excessively. Enjoy non-alcoholic wine in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
