Which Type of Wine Has the Lowest Sugar Content?

It’s no secret that some wines can contain a significant amount of calories, but what about sugar? The sugar content in wine varies widely by type - some have lots of sugar, whilst some have hardly any. However, picking out low sugar varieties can be time consuming and confusing. To help you out, we’ve put together this blog to give you a head start in identifying which types of wine have less sugar (but don’t forget, all of DrinkWell’s wines have been carefully selected for their low or zero sugar content!).

What Colour Wine Has the Lowest Sugar Content?

Generally speaking, red wine has the lowest sugar content, with an average of around 0.9g per serving. White wines will usually have around 1.4g of sugar per serving, although this varies by type. Given its sweet nature, it will come as no surprise to learn that a glass of rose could include a huge 21g to 72g of sugar.

However, you shouldn’t base your choice purely on sugar content. There are many other factors to consider when evaluating the health implications of different wines. Take red wine, for example. Whilst it may have the lowest sugar content, red wines tend to have a higher overall calorie content than other wines, partly due to its higher alcohol content. It’s best to understand the whole picture when determining which wine is right for your needs.

• 2024's Best Wines
• £134.99

Nutrition details (per 125ml)

• ABV12%
• Calories82
• Sugars0g
• Carbohydrates0g

Each bottle saves you (vs standard average*):

• Calories

  186.0

*Statistics based from Drinkaware 2023 and Alcohol Health Alliance 2022

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Which Varieties of Wine Have the Lowest Sugar Content?

Most winemakers don’t tend to include the precise sugar content on the labelling of their wines, so it can be difficult to know how much sugar is in each bottle. We’ve created this handy guide to the average sugar content in popular wines from around the world to help you out:

Helpfully, labelling terms have been set up that are based on the amount of residual sugar that wine contains:

• ‘Dry/Sec’: Up to 4g/l 
• Medium dry/demi-sec: 4 g/l – 12 g/l
• Medium (Medium Sweet): 12 g/l – 45 g/l
• Sweet/Doux: More than 45 g/l 

Why Does the Sugar Content Vary in Wine?

The sugar content in wine is the result of what is left behind by the grapes after they have been through the winemaking process. Grapes contain naturally occuring sugars. To turn the grapes into wine, they are fermented in a process where yeast is added to the juice, causing the natural sugars to be broken down into alcohol. However, not all of the sugars are converted, and those that are left over remain in the final product as ‘residual sugars’.

For this reason, aged wines tend to have a lower sugar content as they have more time to ferment. Dry wines also tend to have a lower sugar content as the yeast eats up all of the naturally occurring sugars without leaving behind residual sugars.

On the other hand, sweet wines often have more sugar because the winemaker stops the yeast from fermenting the grapes by rapidly cooling the wine. If a really sweet wine is desired, some winemakers also add sugar to the wine after fermentation.

Low Sugar Wines Available at Drinkwell

If all this talk about the sugar found in standard wines has left you wondering if you will ever be able enjoy a glass of wine again, you’re in luck! Here at DrinkWell, we have carefully selected a number of zero/very low sugar wines so that you don’t have to miss out! (We even have some for fans of rose!)

Unfortunately, many wine brands don’t include sugar content on their packaging, and this information isn’t always easy to find. DrinkWell will always give you this information for every bottle of wine on our website, ensuring that you can make a more educated and informed decision. Some examples of zero and low sugar wine that we currently have available include: 

Guillaume Aurele Pinot Noir

DrinkWell are excited to welcome this new ‘skinny’ Pinot Noir to our range - not least because it contains zero sugar! This soft, fruity Pinot Noir is from the Alma Cersius cooperative in southern France, which has 1200 hectares of vineyards situated in three villages to the south of the city of Beziers. With notes of morello cherry and violets, and ripe raspberry fruit on the palate, this 13.5%ABV Pinot Noir is vegan friendly and contains just 92 calories per 125ml. You can purchase Guillaume Aurele Pinot Noir from the DrinkWell website for £11.99 per bottle.

Domaine du Maubet Merlot

Another sugar free offering, this is an incredible Red wine produced by one of the best in the business in the South West of France. Bursting with succulent raspberry and cassis and hints of dark chocolate on the palate, this wine is terrific with roast lamb or lasagne. It contains just 92 calories per 125ml, and offers great value for money at £10.99 per bottle on the DrinkWell website.

Crumsa Terres Rares Sauvignon Blanc

This crisp, elegant Sauvignon comes from the rolling hills of the Cotes du Tarn in south west France, and contains zero sugar and just 89 calories per 125ml glass. This vegan friendly wine undergoes a cool fermentation and some lees ageing in the cellar creating lovely fresh, juicy white wines. We recommend trying it with pesto pasta or fish and chips. You can find it on the DrinkWell website for £10.99 per bottle.

Vino Pomona Pinot Grigio

One of our best rated white wines, the Vino Pomona Pinot Grigio is produced in the beautiful landscapes of Venezie, Italy. This is a fruity dry white wine with hints of apple, pear and zingy citrus. If you are looking for a meal to pair Vino Pomona with, we recommend a classic clearly spaghetti carbonara, or keep it chilled as an aperitif to help refresh the pallet. Priced at just £10.99, its not surprised why the Vino Pomona has received so many positive reviews.

Rose 500

The lowest calorie rose wine we have available at DrinkWell which, amazingly, for a rose, has 0g of sugar and just 75 calories per 125ml! All of this whilst still retaining an impressing 12%ABV, we don’t think you can go far wrong with this strikingly delicious rose. You can purchase this vegan friendly Italian wine from the DrinkWell website for £13.99 per bottle.

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