Calories in Wine

The holidays are here and with them comes the endless parties, holiday food trays and dangerously delicious cookies. With all of these holiday hazards being the cause of ballooning waist lines this time of year it helps to also remember that all those drinks (yes wine included) can add to the slowly growing calorie count each day. Since the FDA does not mandate labeling of nutrition facts on the back of wine bottles we have borrowed some great information from our friends over at Wine Folly.

Alcohol is Very High in Calories Per Gram

The highest calorie wines tend have the highest alcohol content. Alcohol has 7 calories per gram versus carbohydrates (sugar) which have 4 calories per gram. This means some sweet wines have less calories than some dry wines! Dry wines are commonly considered to range from around 11% alcohol to around 14%. However, a quick check of alcohol percentages of wines at the grocery store shows that many dry wines often exceed 15%. A standard 6 oz glass of dry wine with 15% alcohol has 175 calories.

Warm regions make higher alcohol wine!

Wines with typically higher alcohol content come from warmer growing regions where higher sugar content in grapes converts to higher alcohol content in wine. Dry wines with typically higher alcohol percentages are Zinfandel, Amarone, Shiraz and Grenache-Syrah-Mouvedre (GSM).

Super high alcohol sweet wines wines like Port, Tawny Port & Banyuls are a double whammy of sugar carb calories plus alcohol calories. To make Port wine, neutral grape spirits are added in order to inoculate (kill) the yeasts and leave sweetness in the wine. Port has 20% ABV and around 100 g/L of residual sugar. A standard 2oz glass of port has 103 calories.

Sugar in Champagne & Sparkling Wines

Champagnes and sparkling wines have added sugar and alcohol. The added amount is called “le dosage” and it’s added during the champagne making process. The dosage can range from nothing (aka “Brut Nature” or “Brut Zero”) to sweet (aka “Doux”) with up to 50 g/L of sugar. The laws on the Champagne region require the wines to be no more than 12.5% alcohol, however non-Champagne bubbly ranges from very light at around 9% alcohol to high at 15%. For a standard 5 oz pour, Champagne ranges from 124 calories (Brut Zero) to 175 calories (Doux).

Wine Calories Comparison Chart

Wine Calories From Least to Most (6 oz pours)

German Spatlese Riesling (Dr. Hermann “H” 2009)

110 calories, bottle 495 calories

Slightly Sweet Lambrusco (Lini 910)

140 calories, bottle 630 calories

Cabernet Sauvignon from France

160 calories, bottle 720 calories

German Auclese Riesling

160 calories, bottle 720 calories

Cabernet Sauvignon from California

175 calories, bottle 788 calories

California 16% Zinfandel (Bob Biale)

190 calories, bottle 855 calories

Australian Shiraz (Mollydooker The Boxer)

190 calories, bottle 855 calories

Chateau Y’quem

270 calories, bottle 1215 calories (note: standard serving size is only 2oz which is 90 calories)

Ruby Port

310 calories, bottle 1395 calories (note: standard serving size is only 2oz which is 103 calories)

Tawny Port

320 calories, bottle 1440 calories (note: standard serving size is only 2oz which is 106 calories)

Calories in Wine Come From Carbs and Alcohol

Wine is made of mostly water, alcohol, carbohydrates and trace minerals(1). The carbohydrates come from residual sugar left in wine. Dry wines have less than 3 grams/Liter and sweet wines typically range from 20-150 g/L (some can have up to 300 g/L!). A late harvest dessert wine may have about 150 g/L of sugar compared to Coca-Cola at 111 g/L and Maple Syrup at 700 g/L(2). To determine the total calories in a wine add the calories of alcohol with the calories of carbs.

Conclusion From a Wine Geek

Sweet wines like riesling and lambrusco actually have less calories per glass than most cabernet sauvignon. However you may be enticed to drink more because they are also lighter in alcohol!

Even though a late harvest dessert wine like Chateau Y’quem has much more residual sugar than a can of Coca-Cola, you’re not likely to drink as much because the serving size is about six times less.

If you’re on a diet, don’t despair with just one glass of wine. You can skip dessert and use the same amount of calories for 2-3 servings of dessert wine. Oh... and... I’m not your doctor, so check with him/her first if you have serious health issues. Yep!

Enjoy Your Holidays (with Wine of Course),

Your Friends at White Horse Wine & Spirits

October 26th

Orin Swift, Palermo

Was $60.99

Now Only $44.99

This weeks wine of the week is Orin Swift's Palermo. We chose this wine in honor of the Halloween themed label and its dark deliciousness! Orin Swift Wines are made by the young winemaker David Phinney and are known for their bold style, as well as their edgy labels. David Phinney is best known for creating the Prisoner, which is what put him on the map. He does not actually own any vineyards, but instead sources his grapes from growers that can provide the signature style that define all his wines.

This wine has aromatics of cassis, currant, mulled dark fruits, and toasty oak in the glass. Opulent and rich, the wine explodes with concentrated flavors of black cherry, ripe boysenberry, assorted dark fruits, kirsch, and a top-note of dark roasted espresso. A persuasive mid palate persists with freshness and closes with supportive tannins that are velvety and polished.

Chad the Tie Guy's Review: This is classic Orin Swift. His signature style of super extracted, bold juicy fruit and high alcohol have earned him quite the cult following. A perfect treat to relax with after all the trick or treaters leave you alone!  Pairs great with chocolate!!

Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Wine Region: Napa Valley, California

Alcohol Content: 15.5%

White Horse Wine Color Code System: OOOOOO  RICH RED WINES OOOOOO

Food Pairings: A bold juicy red like this is the perfect partner to some barbecued spare ribs with a nice light bbq sauce glaze or for a cool twist try them with a Chinese five spice rub!

Cheese Pairings: 

Valedon Blue Cheese- A rich and creamy blue cheese with a nice tang 

Spain $7.99 (8oz)

Moody Blue Cheese- A smoked blue cheese with a sharp flavor 

Wisconsin $7.49 (8oz)

4 Year Aged Gouda- A hard aged cheese with caramel flavors 

Netherlands $8.99 (8oz) 

October, 19th

Bodegas Covila, Crianza $14.99

This weeks wine of the week is Covila, Crianza. We chose this wine to feature not only because it is delicious, but we are doing a Spanish Tapas and Wine class at the store on Thursday, October 22nd at 6pm. We will be teaching you how to make and enjoy Tapas as well as pairing them up with great Spanish wines!

Our wine of the week is made from the Tempranillo grape which is indigenous to Spain. Tempranillos are big, bold dry red wines that are similar to Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is a Crianza which refers to its age. A Crianza wine has to be aged at least 1 year in an oak barrel and then 1 more year in the bottle. This leads to a well integrated, complex wine that has a lot of vanilla, cedar and barrel spice to complement the rich fruit flavors that come from the grape itself. This wine has flavors of jammy black fruits as well as strawberry and cherry notes with a nice dry, slightly tannic finish. 

Chad the Tie Guy's Review: A perfect wine for the Cab and Malbec lovers. The dark flavors and oak really hit all the sweet spots and all at an affordable price. I'm lovin it!

White Horse Wine Color Code System: OOOOOO  RICH RED WINES OOOOOO 

Food Pairings: A bold red like this works well with any red meat especially those right off the grill. For a real treat, try pairing this wine up with a rosemary salt crusted rack of lamb!

Cheese Pairings: 

Petit Basque- Creamy and sweet with a nutty finish (Spain)

Drunken Goat- Semi firm goats cheese soaked in red wine (Spain)

Crema de Blue- A creamy, blue cheese with a rich flavor (New Jersey)

The Biggest Wine Deals of the Season

It's that time of year again. The weather is slowly getting colder, the leaves are starting to change color and we are looking at getting our store prepared for the busy holiday season to come. As we look at our inventory of wonderfully delicious wines we noticed a great deal of amazing wines at crazy low prices that we had bought over the course of the Summer season. This got us thinking that we should put all our best wine deals in one place to make it easier for everybody to find. So here it is, the list below contains our best wine at never before seen low prices. Enjoy them while they last!

Stefan Bruer, Pinot Noir- A complex, very elegant Pinot Noir with bright cherry, raspberry fruit flavors on a silky smooth finish. A great wine at a one time only price!   

Was $22.99     

Now Only $10.99 (Save over $144 on a case)

McWilliams, Chardonnay- A crisp, refreshing Chardonnay with light apple, pear and citrus flavors with just a touch of oak. A perfect everyday wine that pairs well with pork.

Was $9.99

Now Only $6.99 (Save over $36 on a case)

Saladini Pilastri, Rosso Piceno- This awesome red blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano is the perfect pizza/pasta wine. It has flavors of blackberry and 

Was $9.99

Now Only $7.99 (Save over $24 on a case)

Banfi, Chianti Superiore- Chianti at its finest and yet still affordable. This wine has elegant flavors of cherry, cedar, rose petal and light spice with a nice dry tannin on the finish.

Was $12.99

Now Only $10.99 (Save over $24 on a case)

Clos de Los Siete, Red Blend- A big, bold red blend from the World Famous Michael Rolland. This Malbec based blend with stand up to even the biggest of steaks!

Was $18.99

Now Only $12.99 (Save over $72 on a case)

DeLoach, Merlot- Merlot is finally making a come back and this Russian River Valley example really showcases why wine geeks love this often overlooked grape.

Was $12.99

Now Only $9.99 (Save over $36 on a case)

Walnut Block, Sauvignon Blanc- A clean Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with expressive flavors of lime, grapefruit and apple with a refreshingly dry finish. Great with seafood!

Was $13.99

Now Only $11.99 (Save over $24 on a case)

Il Tauro, Salice Salentino- Our favorite wine of the year. Dark, deep and rich but with a soft, silky finish. This wine with its blackberry, cassis and plum flavors really hits the spot!

Was $10.99

Now Only $8.99 (Save over $24 on a case)

Labor Day Libations!

The Summer is still here no matter what the Pumpkin Beer brewers say! Enjoy the last few weeks of Summer with some great Labor Day Libations. Here are our top picks for delicious drinks to de-stress with. Spiked Seltzer (Low Carb & Gluten Free) $8.49/6 pack A very refreshing adult beverage that is made from natural ingredients and fermented to 6% percent alcohol. These are not sweet, but taste like flavored seltzer water with a kick. Berkshire Gin & Tonic $13.99/4 pack These premade cocktails are made with high end liquors and small batch tonic water. A great cocktail that requires no effort to enjoy. Also available in Vodka & Tonic. Cimarron Tequila $19.99/1 liter btl This is the perfect tequila for everything from Margarita making to sipping straight on the rocks! A great tequila that won't break the bank. Rutherford Hill, Merlot (Half Bottle) $10.99/375ml btl BYOB approved! This half bottle of quality Merlot is the perfect serving size for your next BYOB restaurant night. Just enough for two glasses of wine. Cheers! Domaine de Pajot, White Blend $8.99/750ml btl The perfect Summer white wine. A crisp, clean blend of grapes from the South of France. Great flavors of lemon, pear and apple with a refreshing finish. Our favorite everyday wine! Jack's Hard Cider, Local & Dry $9.49/6 pack A favorite of ours for its crisp and very refreshing style. Made from local cider apples from Pennsylvania. This is not that sweet cider that you see at most bars. This is a truly flavorful dry cider that is perfect for white wine drinkers! Barba Col Mar, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $8.99/750ml btl The perfect pizza/pasta wine or as I like to call it the "Wednesday Night Wine". When your too tired to cook or just need a nice wine to relax with, this is your go to. Not to big and bold but with enough flavor to satisfy your red wine craving. As Goldilocks says, it's just right! Stickybeak, Russian River Chardonnay $12.99/750ml btl One of the only affordable Russian River Chardonnays which highlights why RRV is considered the top spot for Chards. A perfectly balanced wine with nice restrained oak and a touch of cream which plays off the nice citrus/apple fruit flavors that abound. A great end of Summer and beginning of Fall wine!

Don't forget to Save Time & Shop Online @ Whitehorsewine.com! Sincerely, Your Friends at White Horse Wine and Spirits

How much sugar is in wine?

Once again we turn to our favorite wine blog Wine Folly to help our customers become better versed in wine tasting. Here is one question that always seems hard to pin point even for season wine drinkers. How much sugar is in my glass of wine?



Wines range from 0 to about 220 grams per liter sugar, depending on the style. Dry wines can contain up to about 10 grams of sugar per bottle but still taste dry.

Bone Dry less than 1 cal per glass
Dry 0-6 cal per glass
Off-Dry 6–21 cal per glass
Sweet 21–72 cal per glass
Very Sweet 72–130 cal per glass
The terms above are non-official and simply show a common range in still wines. Currently, most countries (including the US) aren’t required to label actual sweetness levels in wine.

Where Does Sugar in Wine Come From?

The sugar in wine is called residual sugar or RS. RS doesn’t come from corn syrup or granulated sugar like you might think, it primarily comes from the fruit sugars in wine grapes (fructose and glucose). Of course, there are a few instances where cheap wine producers will use sugar or grape concentrate to sweeten a wine–all the more reason to seek out quality!

How come some wines are dry and some are sweet?
Basically, when winemaking happens, yeast eats sugar and makes ethanol (alcohol) as a by-product. A dry wine is when the yeast eats all the sugars and a sweet wine is when the yeast is stopped (usually by chilling the fermentation) before it eats all the sugars. This is why some sweet wines have less alcohol that dry wines. A great example of this is German Riesling, which usually have about 8–9% ABV when sweet and 10–11% ABV when dry.



How Does One Determine the Residual Sugar in Wine?

The most accurate way to identify sweetness in wine is to look for a tech sheet about the wine in question. Many producers offer the technical notes on each vintage of their wine as a courtesy. RS is usually displayed in 1 of three ways: in grams/Liter, in grams/100ml, or as a percentage.

Why we suck at tasting residual sugar in wine

Exact levels of residual sugar are actually quite difficult to taste with our “naked tongue.” Even highly trained wine tasters often have trouble identifying RS in wine–but you can learn with practice. The main reason we can’t taste sweetness that well is because other traits in the wine, including the acidity level and tannin, distort our sensitivity to sweetness.

You can test this oddity yourself by tasting plain sugar and then tasting the same portion while biting into a lemon. The acidity will cancel out all or most of the sweetness on your tongue.


Real-World Examples

Several people requested a few real-world examples of red wines that contain residual sugar as examples. Here are a couple for historic reference only:


Alta Vista Classic Malbec (2013): 2.8 g/L
Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel: 3.4 g/L
Menage a Trois California Red: 12 g/L
Yellow Tail Shiraz: 12 g/L
Apothic Red: 15 g/L
Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz: 57 g/L




What if there’s no information about a wine?

If you can’t find a technical sheet, or if the RS is not listed, here are a few tips:

Cheap wine usually has residual sugar. It’s safe to assume that most affordable (sub-$10) wines from the US contain some residual sugar, perhaps anywhere from 2–15 g/L. There are, of course, excellent exceptions to this rule so look for more information first.
Buy better wine. If you spend a little more on a bottle of wine, say around $15–20, producers tend to feature less residual sugar (if any at all). Grapes are higher quality so the wines don’t need sweetness to taste fruity.
Drink less. Even at 15 g/L RS, a wine will only add about 7.5 sugar calories. Like with all things, your best bet might just be moderation.

Top Ten BBQ Wines for Summer

The warm weather is upon us and it is time to kick the grilling into high gear. The only question that remains is what wine to pair that rich, grilled food with. Now whether it is a big porterhouse or just a stuffed portabella mushroom, the same wines will apply. So here is our Top Ten BBQ Wines List:

#1 Il Tauro, Salice Salentino $8.99
One of the tricks to pairing wine with BBQ is to look for big, bold wines that are very easy drinking. This wine has deep, dark flavors of blackberry, blueberry and a nice Italian spice palate with a super, soft and silky finish. It also has a touch of sweet fruit on the finish that pairs well with BBQ sauce!

#2 The Velvet Devil, Merlot $12.99
Another rich wine that is silky soft on the finish which makes you beg for another glass. A Washington State wine that has plum, cassis and cherry flavors with just enough dry tannin to balance out the wine. A great wine that pairs well with or even without food.

#3 Portada, Red Blend $9.99
This is our newest Hit of the Year being voted by popular demand as the most sought after under $10 bottle of wine. This wine is everyones favorite because it is supple and complex without any hint of pretension. A great, delicious wine that just begs to be shared with friends and a nice fire!

#4 30 Degrees, Cabernet Sauvignon $12.98
A perennial favorite around here due to it's bold flavors and soft finish. This wine come from Paso Robles where is develops some really ripe, rich fruit flavors but without the mouth puckering tannins of its neighbor to the north (Napa).

#5 Mr. Blacks Little Book, Shiraz $15.99
Australia has been sitting on the sidelines of the wine world for a number of years after the bubble burst about ten years ago. This old producer weathered the bust by producing some of the tastiest wines coming from down under. Today this Shiraz stands out as a phenomenal wine at a great price!

#6 Vina Palaciega, Old Vine Malbec $10.99
Some of the oldest vines in Argentina produce the best wines because of their concentrated, complex flavor that are developed in their grapes. This bold Malbec has a blast of dark fruit flavor followed by a nice punch of tannins that really shine when paired with a big, juicy piece of meat.

#7 Klinker Brick, Old Vine Zinfandel $18.99
In California, most of the really old vines planted by Spanish missionaries have been long since torn out. Those grape growers that left the Zinfandel grapes survive are now rewarded by intensely flavored wines like this one. It has juicy, jammy flavors of concentrated raspberry, blackberry and cinnamon with a backbone of sweet oak that will blow your taste buds away. A must try!

#8 Isle Saint Pierre, Red Blend $9.99
This organic wine from the South of France is what they drink with Summer fare right off the grill. This blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 10% Arinarnoa is big enough to stand up to the biggest flavors while still keeping a nice balance and harmony of flavors.

#9 Can Blau, Red Blend $12.99
A stand out red blend from Spain made up of Garnacha, Carinena and Syrah have such luscious, smooth flavors that it is hard to put down. Think of blackberries and boysenberries mixed some sweet oaky spice flavors on a torrent of juicy sweetness without all the added sugar.

#10 Mas de Gourgonnier, Red Blend
The last but not least of our Summer picks. This blend from the South of France is classically French in style but with an American sensibility. The Grenache, Syrah and Cab give this wine a nice richness without being heavy. The hints of cedar, tobacco and baking spice make it a very cool and complex wine. A great wine that comes in one of the most fun bottles we have seen lately.