Love enjoying a relaxing glass of wine or two with dinner but trying to avoid too many calories? Low-calorie wines might be just what you need—and you may be pleasantly surprised at how good some of them taste. You can choose from a variety of types, flavors, and price points. And if carbs and sugar are something you’re trying to watch, many low-calorie wines are on the lower end of sugar and carbs, too. So how can you go about choosing a low-calorie wine, and what are the best ones?
Choosing low-calorie wines
The best low-calorie wine for you will of course depend on your own personal taste preferences. It may help to start by scrutinizing the sugar content—and keep in mind that robust flavors can often impact the calorie count. “While all wines will contain similar calories per alcohol volume—nine calories per gram of alcohol—wines that do not have a lot of added sugars and flavors will generally be lower in calories,” saysShena Jaramillo MS, RD, who suggests opting for a dry wine versus a sweet wine. “You can also choose a wine with a lower alcohol content, which will lower the total calories per serving.” Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
Best low-calorie wines
FitVine Prosecco, $19.99
“Fizzy, fun and flavorful, this bubbly crafted with minimal sugar delights with bright citrus, granny smith apple and a splash of minerality,” says Stefani Jackenthal, a longtime endurance athlete who leads a “detox to retox” lifestyle and owner of NTS Wine Tasting, LLC, where she crafts corporate and private wine tastings onsite or via Zoom. She notes that at 92 calories per five-ounce glass, 0.7 grams of sugar and 11% alcohol, “It’s a sipping celebration that won’t weigh you down.”
Gazela Vinho Verde, $5.99
“An aromatic light, lively crisp white with refreshing lime zest and slight fizz, it has 30% fewer calories than the average white wine,” says Jackenthal, adding, “It’s a super aperitif or all-night quaffer at 87 calories a (five ounce) glass and 9% alcohol.”
Klean Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.99
“This savory smooth sipper unfolds with layers of blackberry, black cherry and a dash of chocolate with each sip,” says Jackenthal. “Sporting 85 calories per glass per (4.2 oz) glass and 9% alcohol, it delights the taste buds, while leaving you clear-headed for your morning workout.”
Cupcake LightHearted Pinot Noir, $9.99
A perfectly balanced blend of robust fruit flavors, with a hint of vanilla and cherry that help offset the strong strawberry and plum components, this wine is also vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Harland Adkins, registered dietitian and founder of Fast Food Menu Prices, notes that it has only 80 calories, 4.5g carbs, 0.5g sugar, and 8% alcohol.
Mind & Body Cabernet Sauvignon, $12.49
Adkins recommends this one, which has strong blackberry and raspberry flavors. A five-ounce serving has 90 calories, under 5 g carbs, .3g sugar, and is 9 5 alcohol.
Avaline White, $24
Made from organic grapes, this is another vegan-friendly choice Adkins suggests. It has a crisp citrus taste, and a five-ounce glass has around 100 calories.
SkinnyGirl Chardonnay, $7.99
Adkins calls this one “a classic” and it has a carefully balanced blend of intense flavor and light citrus notes, augmented by a hint of French oak vanilla. You get all of that for around 100 calories per glass.
Lifevine 2020 Red Blend, $21.99
Offering the rich, flavor-packed taste of organically farmed fruit, this mix of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon was carefully blended to provide the perfect combination of delightful flavoring.
BABE 100 Rosé, $28.99 for an 8-pack
If you’re skeptical about wine that comes in a can, keep an open mind until you give this BABE offering a try. Each can is equivalent to one glass of wine, and lets you enjoy a light, refreshing rosé with just 100 calories.
FitVine Holiday Red, $19.99
Make every day a special occasion when you enjoy this Holiday Red blend that offers a rich, robust flavor with almost no sugar and just 120 calories per glass.
Cupcake LightHearted Sauvignon Blanc, $11
Enjoy an explosion of tasty and refreshing citrus flavors—with apricot and lime taking center stage—with this gluten-free wine that’s just 80 calories per glass.
FitVine Syrah, $19.99
Another great option from FitVine, this red wine variety will be a hit with those who like intense, dark flavors—especially if you’re a fan of mint and blackberry. It’s just 117 calories per glass.
Mind & Body Rosé, $13
The floral aromas of this California wine will be hard to resist if you’re a fan of strawberries. At only 90 calories per glass, it gives you everything you want in a scrumptious rosé, except lots of calories.
Avaline Grenache Blanc, $28
This fresh, distinctively French wine has a light flavoring that won’t weigh you down—and neither will the calorie count, at just 117 calories per glass.
Sunny With a Chance of Flowers Pinot Noir, $12.99
I admit, the catchy name alone was enough to get my attention and motivate me to check out this wine. Turns out, it’s a great choice if you like your red wine a bit on the understated side, as the berry flavors are mouth-watering but not overpowering. Next Up: Find Out About Natural Wine and Whether It Can Prevent a Headache
Sources:
Harland Adkins, registered dietitian and founder of Fast Food Menu PricesShena Jaramillo, registered dietitianStefani Jackenthal, owner of NTS Wine Tasting, LLC
