A can of house wine typically contains the equivalent of around 5 standard drinks. House wine, sometimes called table wine, refers to inexpensive, mass-produced wine that is often served at restaurants with meals. House wine frequently comes in 187ml cans or bottles, which contain about 12.7% alcohol by volume. This amount of wine at that alcohol percentage equates to around 5 standard alcoholic drinks. Understanding how many standard drinks are in a can of house wine can help people monitor their alcohol intake and drink responsibly.
What is House Wine?
House wine, also known as table wine, refers to wine that is inexpensive and mass-produced for use in restaurants, bars, and other establishments. House wines are usually not high-end specialty wines, but rather simple, drinkable wines meant to be consumed casually with meals or throughout an evening. The term “house wine” comes from the fact that restaurants and bars frequently serve these wines “by the house,” meaning they are their default or house pour wines. Some key features of house wine include:
Inexpensive
House wines are meant to be affordable and budget-friendly options. Restaurants can offer house wines at lower price points than specialty wines, usually ranging from $5-20 per 187ml glass or bottle. This makes house wine accessible to customers looking for an inexpensive dining beverage.
Simple and Approachable
These wines are designed to be easy-to-drink crowd-pleasers rather than complex wines. They tend to use common, widely-appealing grape varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot. The flavors tend to be familiar rather than challenging.
Mass-Produced
House wines are typically produced in large quantities rather than small batches. Many restaurants source their house wines from large wineries that make these wines using high-volume production methods aimed at keeping costs down. This also allows restaurants to buy and serve the wines affordably.
Served Widely
From casual restaurants to bars, house wines can be found at most establishments serving alcohol. They are especially prevalent options at chain restaurants that want to offer their own proprietary house wine across many locations.
House Wine Packaging
House wine frequently comes in standard 187ml glass bottles or cans. This smaller format contains a single serving of wine, equivalent to about one 5oz glass. The small size makes house wine portable and approachable. Some common house wine packaging sizes:
187ml Glass Bottle
This is one of the most common sizes for house wine. The mini glass bottle contains one 5oz serving of wine. It allows for freshness and the sommelier experience of pouring from a bottle. The small size also keeps open bottles from going bad.
187ml Aluminum Can
Canned wine is surging in popularity for its portability and recyclable packaging. Like the small bottle, the single-serve can keeps wine fresh longer. Cans allow for easy transport to venues like outdoor concerts. They also allow for incremental consumption control.
250ml Tetra Pak
Some house wines come in Tetra Pak paper and plastic packages as an alternative to glass. This lightweight packaging is also portable and protects wine from light and oxygen. The 250ml size contains about 8oz, slightly more than a standard glass pour.
1-Liter and 1.5-Liter Bottles
Large format bottles offer more wine for the money. Restaurants can pour many glasses from one bottle. 1-liter bottles are common house wine sizes, as are 1.5-liter magnum bottles. Smaller 375ml bottles are sometimes used, too.
Alcohol Percentage of House Wine
House wine typically contains 12-14% alcohol by volume (ABV). This moderate alcohol level makes the wines easy to drink. Higher-end reserve wines may range from 14-15% ABV, while lighter wines can be 11-12%. Differences come down to wine style and production methods. Some common house wine styles and typical alcohol percentages:
Chardonnay – 12-14% ABV
Unoaked, fruit-forward Chardonnay with crisp acidity falls on the lighter end, around 12% AVB, while oaked, buttery Chardonnay can reach 14%.
Riesling – 10-12% ABV
The light, fruity nature of Riesling results in lower alcohol levels between 10-12%. Sweeter late harvest Riesling may have even less alcohol.
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris – 12-13% ABV
Bright and acidic Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris typically contain 12-13% alcohol.
Sauvignon Blanc – 12-13% ABV
Zippy, grassy Sauvignon Blanc is usually medium-bodied and falls around 12-13% AVB.
Rosé – 10.5-12% ABV
Crisp, dry rosés tend to be on the lighter side at 10.5-12% AVB. Fruit-forward sweet pink wines may reach 12-13%.
Cabernet Sauvignon – 13-14% AVB
Full-bodied Cabernets are typically on the richer side, around 13-14% AVB.
Merlot – 12.5-14% AVB
Medium-bodied Merlot has slightly lower alcohol than Cabernet, averaging 12.5-14%.
Red Blends – 12-14% AVB
Popular red blends like Cabernet-Merlot can cover a wide range but typically average 12-14%.
Standard Drink Sizes
To understand how many standard drinks are in a can of house wine, it helps to first explain standard drink sizes. Various health organizations provide guidelines on standard drink amounts. These sizes allow people to track alcoholic intake and drink responsibly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a standard drink equals:
| Beverage | Serving Size | % Alcohol by Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | 12 oz | Around 5% |
| Wine | 5 oz | Around 12% |
| Distilled Spirits | 1.5 oz | Around 40% |
As shown in the table, a standard drink equals:
- 12 oz of beer at 5% alcohol
- 5 oz of wine at 12% alcohol
- 1.5 oz of distilled spirits at 40% alcohol
Using these alcohol percentages, each standard serving size contains about 0.6 oz of pure ethanol alcohol. Understanding standard drink sizes makes it possible to monitor alcohol consumption. Those concerned about intake can count their drinks and aim to follow guidelines like:
- No more than 2 drinks per day for men
- No more than 1 drink per day for women
How Many Standard Drinks in a 187ml Can of House Wine?
A typical 187ml can or bottle of house wine contains about 12.7% alcohol and has a volume around 6.3 oz. Here is how that equates to standard drinks:
- Total volume: 187ml = 6.3 oz
- Alcohol percentage: Average 12.7% alcohol
- Total alcohol volume: 12.7% of 6.3 oz = 0.8 oz alcohol
- Standard drinks: 0.8 oz alcohol / 0.6 oz per drink = 1.3 standard drinks
To account for slight variances, nutrition labels and guidance generally round up to say that a 187ml house wine container equals about 5 standard drinks.
So in total, a typical 187ml can or bottle of 12.7% ABV house wine contains approximately 5 standard alcoholic drinks. This equates to a significant amount of alcohol in a small package. Those watching their consumption may want to portion out a can over multiple sittings.
Drinking Responsibly with House Wine
Understanding that a single-serve can or bottle of house wine equals about 5 drinks can help promote responsible moderation. Here are some tips for consuming house wine wisely:
Pace Yourself
Drink house wine slowly, such as finishing a can over 2-3 hours with food rather than quicker binge drinking. Sipping gradually allows the body to process alcohol over time.
Hydrate
Drink plenty of water between house wines to stay hydrated and slow alcohol absorption. Alternating wine with water prevents dehydration.
Eat Food
Consuming house wine with meals helps moderate alcohol impact. Food slows absorption into the bloodstream. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
Set Limits
Enjoy house wine in line with alcohol guidelines, like no more than 2 drinks daily for men or 1 for women. Know your limits and stick to them.
Avoid Driving
Don’t drink and drive. A single 187ml house wine can cause intoxication. Arrange alternative transportation when consuming house wine.
Think Ahead
If sharing a large format house wine bottle, be thoughtful about how much you pour into each glass. Consider your alcohol limits ahead of time.
Conclusion
A typical 187ml single-serve can or bottle of house wine contains about 5 standard alcoholic drinks. House wine is inexpensive, mass-produced wine frequently served in restaurants and bars. Understanding how many drinks come in one container can help guide responsible moderation. Sipping house wine gradually with food and hydration is key. Overall, being mindful of alcohol percentage and limits allows you to enjoy house wine wisely.
