Defining Sugar Free Wine
There are many reasons to choose sugar free wines, including the hope for fewer headaches and less weight gain. We’ve got the lowdown on the role sugar plays in wine and a list of our top sugar free wines. Whether you’re looking to simply feel better the next day, or on a mission to lose weight while still enjoying a few glasses of wine each week, choosing sugar free wines may be the answer.
VIDEO:Learn More About Sugar Free Wine In Under Two Minutes
Will Drinking Sugar Free Wines Prevent Hangovers?
There are many theories about what really causes a hangover, and those reasons are different for everyone based on factors including body type, gender, age, lifestyle, food consumed or not while drinking and more. While we know that consuming too much of any alcoholic beverage can cause a miserable hangover headache, the specific sugar content in a wine could also be to blame. What is it about certain wines that make the next morning miserable? One thing that may be a contributing factor is the level of residual sugar.
Drinking wines with a higher concentration of natural or added sugars before bedtime can be problematic for some, especially if enough water is not consumed at the same time. As our bodies try to flush out both the alcohol and sugar as we sleep, it pulls water from throughout our bodies, including our head. This dehydration is part of what can cause a pounding headache. According to WebMD: “Alcohol makes you dehydrated and makes blood vessels in your body and brain expand. That gives you your headache.” “For every alcoholic drink you have, your body can expel up to four times as much liquid. The diuretic effect of alcohol and the dehydration it causes contribute to the discomfort of a hangover,” explains Jim Woodford, PhD, a forensic chemist specializing in drugs and alcohol.
What is Residual Sugar and Why is it in Wine?
Wine is a fermented beverage and begins of course with a base of grapes, which are naturally high in carbohydrates due to their sugar content (glucose and fructose). During the fermentation process, the yeast eats the sugar, and produces alcohol, heat and CO2 (bubbles). Any leftover natural sugar (residual sugar or RS) creates the overall carbohydrate content of the wine. Sweet wines, such as Port or dessert wines, have a high carbohydrate content. The sweeter the wine (or other type of alcohol), the higher the carbohydrates. Dry wines that are “fully fermented,” where virtually all sugars are consumed, have the lowest carbohydrate count. There are some sweet wines that have added sugar, or dosage that causes secondary fermentation in the bottle such as in a sparkling wine, but most of the sugar content in a wine is residual sugar. For the driest sparkling wine options, look for wines that are marked brut or extra brut.
Can Sugar Free Wines be Part of a Low Carb Diet?
With the continuing popularity of the Keto (short for ketogenic) diet, and other diet plans. Those watching their weight with this and other low-carb diets want to know how many carbs are in that glass of wine, and will one or two glasses ruin my progress?
According to WebMD: “Ketogenic” is a term for a low-carb diet (like the Atkins diet). The idea is for you to get more calories from protein and fat and less from carbohydrates. When you eat less than 50 grams of carbs a day, your body eventually runs out of fuel (blood sugar) it can use quickly. This typically takes 3 to 4 days. Then you’ll start to break down protein and fat for energy, which can make you lose weight. This is called ketosis.
Will Drinking a Glass of Wine Take You Out of Ketosis?
From an article in Elite Daily: According to Atkins nutritionist Colette Heimowitz, drinking alcohol isn’t going to stop ketosis altogether: “The liver can make ketones out of alcohol,” she tells Elite Daily. “So technically, when you drink, you’ll continue to produce ketones and [thus] will remain in ketosis. In other words, having one glass of wine isn’t going to erase all the progress your body’s made in its transition. It will, however, take things down a notch.”
So what’s a Keto wine lover to do? Drink dry wine that is fully fermented, with little to no residual sugar. The TTB’s definition of sugar free wine is a serving (5 fl. oz.) that contains less than 0.5 g of sugar. Our sugar free wines have anywhere from .1-1 g/l (up to .03g in a 5 oz serving size) residual sugar.
We use the following calculation to find the approximate amount of carbs in a glass of wine:
Sugar Content (g/L) X Volume (750ml in a bottle) / 1000 / 5 = Grams of Carbohydrate in a 5 oz glass of wine.
Calculating calories in wine
We use the following calculation from Decanter to calculate the number of grams of alcohol in a bottle or glass of wine, use this formula:
volume (ml) x alcohol (ABV %) x 8
1000
Multiplying this answer by seven will give you the approximate calorie content of a bottle of wine; divide that number by 5 to find the amount in a 5 oz. glass.
Using this model, a standard bottle of wine at 750ml with an Alcohol by Volume (ABV) of 12.5% would have approximately 525 calories. With approximately 5, 5oz servings of wine per 750ml bottle, that means there would be an estimated 105 calories per glass. We used this calculation to determine the approximate calories in each of our sugar free wines.
Another important observation brought up by Decanter regarding residual sugar vs. calories:
Our Organic Sugar Free Wines
Les Hauts de Lagarde Bordeaux Blanc
France-Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon-a delicious, packed with apricot, apple and pear fruits, tangy & freshly fruity. Enjoy with Vegetable Platters, Oysters, Seafood, Fish, Appetizers, Grilled Salmon, Crottin de Chavignol (Mild goat) cheese.
Les Hauts de Lagarde Bordeaux Rouge
France-Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc-Attractive structured tannins and red fruits with acidity, dusty structure and perfumed finish. Pair with blue, washed rind cheeses, red meat, poultry, pasta dishes.
Les Hauts de Lagarde Bordeaux Rosé
France-Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec-Aromas of fresh sliced red pepper, ash, and cherry cola with an crisp, dryish light-to-medium body. Pair with BQ, appetizers, spicy dishes, poultry, grilled fish.
Cuvèe Expression Rouge
France-Costieres de Nimes-Syrah, Grenache, Marselan-Pleasant nose of blackcurrant, blackberry, liquorice. On the palate, the wine has soft tannins with aromas of red fruits, liquorice, flowers and spices. A tasty and supple wine.
Cuvèe Expression White
France-Costieres de Nimes-Biodynamic-Roussane, Grenache, Viognier, Rolle-Nose of white flower and lemon. A refreshing and acidulous mouthfeel with notes of citrus and white pepper with a salty, iodine finish. A fresh and crisp wine.
Cuvée Expression Rosé
France-Costieres de Nimes-Biodynamic-Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault-Fine nose of peach, raspberries, redcurrants, grapefruit and exotic fruits. Lively and full on the palate with aromas of red fruits. An expressive rose wine, refreshing and crisp.
Austria-Pinot Noir & Zweigelt-Deep ruby color. Crushed raspberry & graphite aromas, soft, satiny entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with a delicate touch of spice and crabapple. Pair with spicy fish, noodles, rice, poultry and meat.
Austria-100% Zweigelt-Appetizing notions of strawberry and ripe pear appear immediately in this wine. The light, dry palate follows suit with equally joyful, fruity exuberance. Enjoy with Seafood, fish, noodles, poultry & light meat dishes.
Chile-100% Sauvignon Blanc-Starts with tangy freshness. Flavors of lemon peel, white peach & powdered ginger. Well balanced, with mineral acidity. Delightful with oysters, fresh crab, grilled fish, sushi & sashimi.
Pizzolato Hoopa Pet Nat
Italy-100% Johanniter. Straw yellow color. Very fruity wine with distinctive tropical and citrus notes, such as pineapple. Floral notes of wisteria. Harmonious, smooth and rightly persistent perlage. Good companion as an aperitif and paired alongside bold ethnic foods.
Learn More About Sugar Free Wine In Under Two Minutes
All wines are made with 100% organic grapes, Vegan and Non-GMO Project Verified. Available at fine retailers and restaurants nationwide.
Do you have a white zinfandel that’s sugar-free
Hi Loria-we do not carry any white zinfandel wines, and we do not have any sugar free rose. All of the sugar free wines we have are listed above. You can see the residual sugar contents of all of our wines on their individual pages on the website.
When you think about it, a glass of wine is the same amount of calories as an apple…Personnaly I have made my choice!
Do you have a sugarless moscato wine?
Hi Denise-unfortunately because of its sweet nature, we do not have a sugar free moscato.
As a diabetic, I always try to find something that is sugar-free so that I can drink it without a worry. I found this online website, where they have a bunch of sugar-free options.
Glad we can help Greg. Please note that there is still a bit of residual sugar in these wines, but it’s under 1 g/l. The exact amounts can be found on each wine’s page on the site. Thanks!
Does this one have any alcohol in it at all
All of these wines do contain alcohol. We are working on an alcohol free brand so stay tuned!
All of these wines contain alcohol
Hello, are your sugar free wines carb free?
Hi Lauren-there are some carbs in the wines. Please see the chart above for estimates.
Thanks for Sharing! This is nice to know. I thought wine does not have sugar.. Well I only know it today! thanks for your page. This is a big help for me!
Glad we could help! Cheers!
How do I find prices,and way to order?
Hi Tracey-at the moment we do not have direct to consumer sales. Please let me know your zip code/city and I can help you locate the nearest retailer. Thanks!
I live in Glendale CA 91208! My name is Cathleen Jones. Live very close to Pasadena ,CA. Where can I find your sugar free wines?
Thanks,
Cathleen
We’re in Las Vegas can I find your wine. 89081
Hi Cynthia & Cathleen-you can find many of our sugar free wines at Whole Foods in Pasadena and Las Vegas. Cheers!
Ok I’m after red wine which is suger free and organic
Do you have any
Hi Daren-all of our red sugar free wines are listed above. They are all made with 100% organic grapes. The Chianti Naturale has no sulfites added.
We live in upstate New York, Adirondack Mountain area. Our zip code is 12190. Is there by chance anywhere near us to purchase these wines? Especially the chianti.
Thank you
Hi Patti-Please ask your favorite retailer to carry these wines and let them know they are distributed by Opici Family Distributors in New York.
Nearest retailers of the Chianti, please.
What retailers of the Chianti near me: 21224, Baltimore, MD
Hi Ann-Please ask your favorite retailer to carry these wines and let them know they are distributed by Dionysos in Maryland.
Do you have any retailers near Montgomery, AL 36109?
Hi Gwen-Please ask your favorite retailer to carry these wines and let them know they are distributed by Johnny Greenseeds/Pinnacle Imports in Alabama.
Do you have a retailer for the Chianti near McKinney, Texas and/or Dallas, Texas?
Hi Nicole-Please ask your favorite retailer to carry these wines and let them know they are distributed by Serendipity in Texas.
Hello,
Where can i buy it in Brooklyn or NYC?
Many of our sugar free wines are available at fine retailers and restaurants in your area. If you can’t find them, please contact the Distributor (contact information below), or ask your favorite retailer or restaurant to carry this wine. Simply download or print out the sales sheet from the wine’s page and take it with you (or email it), letting them know the wine is distributed in New York by:
Opici Family Distributing
Which ones are the wines with no sulfates and sugar free ? And where can I get them ? My zip code is 92201 – near Palm Springs, California . Thank you!!
Hi Ali-so sorry for the delay in responding. None of our sugar free wines are no sulfites added, but all have under 100ppm of added sulfites (compared to up to 350 for conventional wines). In Palm Springs, you can find many of our wines at On the Mark and Bouschet.
Any wines in Toronto?
Not at this time
Hello,
I LOVE Sweet Red wines. Do y’all have any sugar free Red Wines that are sweet and similar to sweet red? Thank you!
Hi Shannon-with the definition of a sugar free wine being anything under 1 g/l of sugar, we do not have any sweet wines in this category. Our Lambrusco is off dry, but is has 43 g/l sugar-making it sweeter. A sweet red wine that is sugar free would only exist if it was artificially sweetened.
My zip code is 29669. I looked at the Whole Foods near me, and they do not list any of the wines I see listed here. Is there somewhere else? Thank you.
Hi Marguerite-You should be able to at least find the red and white Les Hauts de Lagarde wines at Whole Foods.
Hi,
Are their any retailers near Marietta, GA
Hi Doris-you can find a good selection of our wines in Whole Foods.
Anything in the southeast region? Specifically Jacksonville, FL, but I’m willing to travel a bit.
Hi Jessica-you should be able to find the Les Hauts de Lagarde white and red at Whole Foods Market in Jacksonville. If that doesn’t work for you, we are also just about to launch our own online store that will include shipping to FL, so I will add you to that mailing list.
Hi, my name if Jill, I live in Oklahoma 73034, by any chance is their any retailers here?
Hi Jill-sorry for the delay! You can find most of these sugar-free wines at Natural Grocers in Edmond: 16425 N Western Ave, Edmond, OK 73013
Any wines that resemble Chardonnay?
I live in Dallas, TX area. Thank you.
Our sugar-free wine collection includes three whites (please see the chart above), though none contain Chardonnay. We encourage you to branch out and try some new wines! You should be able to find the Les Hauts de Lagarde White and Koyle Costa La Flor Sauvignon Blanc in Whole Foods in Dallas.
Thanks for making this list. You can also try sugar free wine from sulavineyards.com