Quick Answer
There are approximately 15-18 grams of carbs in 1 cup (5 oz) of moscato wine. Moscato is a sweet, sparkling white wine that is lower in alcohol content than many other wines. The sweetness comes from residual sugar left after the fermentation process. This sugar adds carb content to the wine. A 5 oz glass of moscato can have 15-18 grams of carbs, coming mainly from the residual sugars. Dry wines with no residual sugar generally have lower carb contents of around 2-4 grams per 5 oz glass.
What is Moscato Wine?
Moscato is a type of sweet, sparkling white wine made from Moscato grapes. It originated in Italy and is now produced worldwide.
Some key facts about moscato wine:
– Made primarily from the Muscat or Moscato Bianco grape variety.
– Known for its sweet, fruity taste and aromas of peach, apricot and orange blossom.
– Has lower alcohol content, usually around 5-7% ABV.
– Categorized as a frizzante or semi-sparkling wine, with light effervescence.
– Often served chilled as an aperitif.
– Popular moscato wine styles include Asti Spumante from Italy and Moscato d’Asti.
The sweetness in moscato comes from residual sugar left after fermentation is halted prematurely. This leaves more natural grape sugars in the finished wine, giving it a sweet profile.
Carb and Sugar Content
The main source of carbs in wine is residual sugar. During winemaking, yeast feeds on grape sugars converting them to alcohol and CO2. This continues until fermentation is stopped by chilling, filtering, fortification or other methods.
Any grape sugars left unfermented remain in the finished wine as residual sugar. The higher the residual sugar, the higher the carb and calorie content.
As a sweet, low-alcohol wine, moscato has higher residual sugar levels than most table wines.
Specifically, a 5 oz (150 ml) serving of moscato contains:
– Total carbohydrates: 15-18 grams
– Sugar content: 15-18 grams
– Calories: 120-140
These values can vary between different moscato wines, but are typical for a sweet, sparkling style.
In comparison, a dry red or white table wine with no residual sugar contains only 2-4 grams of carbs per 5oz serving.
Factors Affecting Carb Content
Several factors influence the carb content of moscato and other wines:
Sweetness Level
The sweetest moscato wines with the most residual sugar can have up to 18 grams of carbs per serving.
Drier styles have lower sugar and carb levels, closer to other table wines. Look for terms like secco (dry), semisecco (semi-dry) or abboccato (medium-dry).
Grape Variety
Moscato Bianco and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains are the main grapes used. But other grapes like Huxelrebe and Muller-Thurgau can also be used to make moscato-style wines.
The grape variety affects the natural sugar levels in the fresh grapes, which impacts residual sugar after fermentation.
Winemaking Methods
How quickly fermentation is stopped determines residual sugar.
Methods like sterile filtration, pasteurization, chilling, fortification with brandy, or carbonation are used. Extended fermentation leaves less residual sugar.
Region and Style
Asti Spumante from Italy tends to be sweeter with more carbs than other moscato wines. Moscato d’Asti has a bit less sugar than Asti.
Australian and American moscatos are generally less sweet than Italian versions.
Sparkling styles have more sugar added than still moscatos.
Carb and Calorie Comparison With Other Wines
Here’s how moscato compares to other wine styles in carb and calorie content per 5 oz (150 ml) serving:
Moscato
– Carbs: 15-18 grams
– Calories: 120-140
White Zinfandel
– Carbs: 15-16 grams
– Calories: 120-130
Riesling
– Carbs: 12-15 grams
– Calories: 115-130
Champagne
– Carbs: 1-2 grams
– Calories: 95-105
Sauvignon Blanc
– Carbs: 2-4 grams
– Calories: 120-125
Red Wine Varieties
– Carbs: 2-4 grams
– Calories: 120-130
Moscato has substantially more carbs and calories than dry sparkling wines like champagne or still, dry table wines like sauvignon blanc and red varieties.
It’s closer to dessert wines like riesling and white zinfandel in sugar and carb content. But still lower than liqueurs like port, sherry or cream-based cordials.
Tips for Drinking Moscato With a Low-Carb Diet
Here are some tips for enjoying moscato wine on a low-carb diet:
– Stick to a 5 oz serving or less. Even though moscato is sweeter, keep portions small to control carbs.
– Select drier styles labeled secco or abboccato with lower sugar content. Avoid Asti Spumante.
– Mix with sparkling water or club soda to dilute the sweetness and decrease the carbs per glass.
– Look for low-carb moscato alternatives like prosecco, cava, or vinho verde.
– Account for the carbs in moscato when tracking your overall carb intake for the day.
– Enjoy moscato alongside low-carb foods to help keep net carbs in check. Pair with cheeses, olives, nuts or cured meats.
– Use moscato to make low-carb cocktail recipes like bellinis (moscato with peach puree) or moscato spritzers (with seltzer and citrus).
Cooking With Moscato
Moscato’s sweet, fruity flavors make it a delicious ingredient in various recipes:
Desserts
– Moscato poached pears or peaches.
– Moscato sabayon (light custard).
– Fresh fruit salad with moscato syrup.
– Moscato zabaglione (foamy custard).
– Moscato granita or sorbet.
Savory Dishes
– Mussels or scallops cooked in moscato wine sauce.
– Moscato chicken cooked in a moscato cream sauce.
– Moscato risotto made with moscato instead of white wine.
– Moscato vinegar for salad dressings, marinades and reductions.
When cooked, the alcohol burns off but the fruity moscato flavors remain. Use recipes that call for sweet wines. Avoid dry wine recipes that need the acidity.
Should You Avoid Moscato on a Low-Carb Diet?
Moscato is higher in carbs and sugars than dry wines. But it can still be enjoyed sensibly on a low-carb diet:
– Stick to one 5oz glass or less per day.
– Select drier moscato styles to reduce carbs.
– Mix with soda water to dilute carbs.
– Pair moscato with low-carb foods to help keep daily net carbs in check.
– Account for moscato carbs in your daily totals.
– Use moscato creatively in low-carb recipes.
While moscato won’t fit into a strict keto diet, most low-carb eating plans still allow for moderate amounts of wine. With careful portion sizes and smart pairing, moscato can still be part of an overall low-carb lifestyle.
The Bottom Line
A 5 oz glass of moscato wine contains approximately 15-18 grams of carbohydrates. This comes from fructose and glucose sugars leftover after partial fermentation. Moscato has higher carb and sugar content than dry wines which only have 2-4 grams per serving.
On a low-carb diet, enjoy moscato in moderate servings of 5 oz or less. Select drier styles, dilute with soda water, or use in creative recipes to decrease carb intake. With careful portion sizes, moscato can be included on a low-carb eating plan.
