A Guide to Sugar Content in Wine

The amount of sugar in wine varies widely depending on the type. Most wines have between one and eight grams of sugar, with a typical five-ounce glass of red table wine containing about 0.911 grams of sugar. However, ultra-sweet wines can have large amounts of sugar per glass, and bone-dry wines can have barely any sugar at all. This all depends on what flavor profile you like in your wine.

If you’re looking to limit your sugar intake and enjoy a glass of wine, your best bet is to learn the wine jargon and what that means for sugar content. 

Is There a Lot of Sugar in Wine?

While some wines can contain a lot of sugar, this is not present in all wines. To put it into perspective, a 12-ounce can of cola has about 36 grams of sugar. The same amount of the average red table wine cited above would contain roughly 2.19 grams of sugar. 

This is a minuscule amount in comparison. However, your definition of a lot of sugar can vary depending on your dietary and health needs.

How Much Sugar is In Wine?

The amount of sugar in wine will vary greatly depending on how much you drink and what type of wine you choose. Dry wines are less sugary while sweet wines have higher sugar concentrations. Wine can have anywhere from less than one gram of sugar to more than 30 grams per glass.

What Kind of Sugar Is in Wine?

The sugar found in wine is residual sugar. This means that it derives from the sources used to create wine. Wine grapes have natural sugars that include fructose and glucose. 

While sugar comes in different iterations that go by different names, it’s a common misconception that different types of sugar are healthier for you. Instead, you should focus on how much you are consuming. Some types of natural sugars are typically present in lesser amounts and combined with healthier ingredients, allowing you to consume them in moderation. You’ll see this with fibrous fruits or wines with antioxidants and natural sugars.

Where Does the Sugar in Wine Come From?

Generally, the sugar in wine derives from natural sources. It’s rare that winemakers will add sugar to their product, although it does happen. Some will add cane sugar to make the product taste more appealing. However, pure wine gets its sugar content from the natural fructose and glucose in wine grapes. When the grapes are fermented, the yeast consumes the sugar and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. Winemakers sometimes add sugar before fermentation to enhance the amount of sugar that turns into alcohol. This process is called chaptalization.

In essence, natural sugar is a necessary part of wine creation. Wine loses the initial sweetness of the grapes when fermented, so halting fermentation can result in a sweeter wine with lower alcohol content.

Sugar Content by Wine Type

Different wine types have varying levels of sugar content. Red wines typically have a bit less than their white-wine counterparts. The following is an estimation of the average amount of sugar in common types of wine per five-ounce glass:

• Very dry or bone-dry wines: Less than one gram of sugar, considered unsweet like Sauvignon Blanc or Tempranillo;
• Dry wines: Less than one to 1.4 grams of sugar, unsweet yet palatable wines like Merlot, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay; 
• Off-dry wines: 1.4 to 5 grams of sugar, subtly sweet like Riesling or Zinfandel; 
• Sweet wines: 5 to 18 grams of sugar, sweeter wines like Icewine and Port; 
• Very sweet wines: 18 to 33 grams of sugar, the sweetest wines like dessert wines and Tawny Port.

Your preference for sugar content in your wine will depend on your specific tastes. If you like sweet wines or want to avoid them, it’s important to understand which wines have the highest sugar content.

Types of Wine With the Highest Sugar Content

Very sweet wines that have the highest amount of sugar include some of the following:

• Tawny Port;
• Ruby Port;
• Vin Santo Rosso dessert wine; 
• Lambrusco Spumante Rosso;
• Icewine, made from frozen grapes;
• Rutherglen Muscat;
• Sauternes, affected by noble rot that increases sugar content;
• P.X. Sherry.

Some wines are fortified with other alcohols like brandy to increase their alcohol content since the sweeter the wine, the less fermentation has occurred. Explore sweet wines with varying levels of alcohol to determine what you prefer.

The region and type of wine grape used can affect the notes present in your sweet wine, such as honey and caramel. If you like your wine on the sweet side, you can sample a wide variety by joining wine-of-the-month clubs or even a sweet-only wine club. 

Types of Wine With the Lowest Sugar Content

Red wines typically have the lowest sugar content, but both white and red can be very dry or bone-dry. If you’re looking for low-sugar wine, consider:

• German Riesling;
• Chardonnay; 
• Sauvignon Blanc;
• Viognier;
• Moscato;
• Torrontes;
• Pinot Noir;
• Tempranillo;
• Merlot.

Any wine that is fermented for a long period can be bone dry. The longer the sugar is allowed to ferment, the less residual sugar is left in the wine product. 

How To Read Wine Labels

Not all wines are required to disclose nutritional information on the label. You likely won’t get a breakdown of sugar content like you would on a can of soda. Instead:

• Look for terms like “sugar-free,” “low-sugar,” or “no added sugars.”
• Use your understanding of wine terms to estimate sugar content.
• Check alcohol percentage, since higher alcohol content typically means lower sugar as long as it isn’t added after fermentation. 

Keep everything in mind when assessing wine for sugar content, such as region, type, production, and alcohol content.

Can You Drink Wine on a Low Sugar Diet?

It’s very possible to drink wine on a low-sugar diet. Choosing bone-dry or very-dry wines can keep you responsible while enjoying your drinks. Drink in moderation, because alcohol can make your blood sugar drop quickly — and chronic alcohol overuse can lead to insulin resistance.

Comparing Wine’s Sugar Content to Other Types of Food and Drink

For context, you can compare the sugar in wine to everyday products that you’re used to consuming. Here are some average sugar amounts in common types of food and drink:

• Fruit juice: 24 grams;
• Chocolate bars: 21 grams;
• Ice cream: 28 grams;
• Sweetened iced coffee: 32 grams.

A balanced diet involves making mindful choices, including the level of sugar in your wine. 

Lower-Sugar Alternatives

If you find that you don’t like bone-dry wines, you can opt for lower-sugar alcohols like tequila, whiskey, or unflavored vodka. Each of these spirits contains zero grams of sugar.

However, you can make experimenting with low-sugar wines a fun experience. Enjoy your wine without worrying about sugar content by opting for drier types and researching the ingredients. Drink responsibly and know your sugar content for optimal enjoyment.