When you reach for that bottle of wine this Valentine's Day, do you know how healthy it is? Many people have a too-rosy view of the beverage, often underestimating the number of calories it contains. Tis the season to make a fresh start. And for many people, that means cutting back a bit on many things, including food, alcohol, or spending. If you're watching your calorie intake, it's important to be aware of how many calories are in that glass of wine you're enjoying.
White wine contains between 73 and 83 calories per 100ml, while red wine contains between 75 and 85 calories per 100ml, making it one of the most calorie-dense alcoholic beverages. A typical 6 oz. glass of wine or 12 oz. beer has as many calories as a can of Coke (140). Some beers have twice that much. Dietitians recommend these low-calorie wines, which contain up to 45% fewer calories than traditional bottles, for their taste and value.
Winemakers can't talk about health on labels, but there is a worthy argument arising on how they can (and should) talk about ingredients and nutritional information. Winemakers haven't figured out what ready-to-drink purveyors have, that showing nutrition information offers “permissible indulgence.” You'd never know this from looking at your typical bottle of wine, but the answer is simple: For most dry table wines that hover somewhere.