If you have ever attempted any sort of diet or detox, then you’ve probably faced the unfortunate realization that your favorite alcoholic beverages are usually on the list of things to avoid. The reason being is that, when it comes to weight loss, alcohol is considered “empty calories” since it doesn’t contribute to your daily requirement of nutrients and vitamins necessary for proper health. Too much alcohol is also linked to an increased risk for a slew of diseases, so most doctors will tell you to keep your intake limited, even when you’re not counting calories.
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But there is one alcoholic beverage that actually has health benefits and that’s wine. Red wine, in particular, contains a key antioxidant called resveratrol, which has been found to actually prevent various conditions, including heart disease and even some forms of cancer. So, if you’re going to dabble with drinking while you’re trying to maintain your figure, you might as well sip wine. But if you’re really concerned about how many calories you’re tacking on, opt for these low-calorie wines that taste just as good as their counterparts. Cheers!
The Best Low-Calorie Wines
2016 Cense Sauvignon Blanc
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 85
This just-on-the-market line of premium wines produced by Truett-Hurst Winery (T-H), a well-renowned vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley of California’s Sonoma County is actually endorsed by Weight Watchers. The Sauvignon Blanc, aptly named Cense, contains only 3 SmartPoints and less than 100 calories. For reference, most wines usually range between 120 to 140 calories per serving and cost, if you will, about 5 SmartPoints. It is lower in alcohol by volume, however, with only 9.6 percent compared to the usual 12 to 14 percent.
Price: $16; wine.com
Sunny With A Chance Of Flowers Pinot Noir
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 85
Light enough to drink chilled during the summer but bold enough to enjoy all year round, this fruit-forward red out of CA is bursting with flavors of black cherry, pomegranate, vanilla, toasted oak, and earthy notes. What it doesn’t contain? Loads of sugar. In fact, there are zero grams of added sugar and only 3.4 grams of carbs per glass. Just note that it is lighter-bodied than the traditional red varietals but still has that same silky mouthful.
Price: $12; totalwine.com
Klean Cabernet Sauvignon
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 85
If you prefer a richer red wine, you’ll be pleased to know this full-bodied cab comes in at under 100 calories without sacrificing that signature taste you love. The winemaking team uses a unique technology that extracts the alcohol without compromising the delicate flavors, bringing the sugar content down to less than a gram per serving. (This also means a slightly lower ABV than the traditional bottle of cab.) Flavors of blackberry, dark cherry, and cedar are met with smooth, firm tannins to create a complex sip with less guilt.
Price: $14; totalwine.com
Banfi Vintners Riunite Lambrusco
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 98
Hailing from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, this fruity, light-bodied red wine contains about 20 percent fewer calories than your standard glass of red, which clocks in at around 123 cals. One glass of glass of Riunite Lambrusco contains about 98 calories, so you can think of it like your average Michelob Ultra or Corona Light. One thing to keep in mind is that it also contains less alcohol percentage by volume—only 8 percent, when the average glass of wine contains between 12-14 percent.
Price: $6; banfiwines.com
Kendall-Jackson 2019 AVANT California Chardonnay
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 100
Love a good Chard? This one is made of 100% Chardonnay grapes with a low calorie count to boot. How? It’s cold fermented in stainless steel tanks, which yields a pure, low-calorie expression of this exceptionally delish grape. Expect flavors of crisp green apple, citrus, and tropical fruit notes with an unoaked and lively finish that pairs well with just about anything.
Price: $17; kj.com
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Skinnygirl Wine Collection
Calories per glass: 100
While most brands aim to cut the calorie content of their wine by dicing alcohol percentage in half, Skinnygirl has managed to create an award-winning variety of wines that offer the same percent alcohol by volume (12 percent) as traditional brands. They come in all your favorite varieties, too, including full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, oaky Pinot Noir, rich Chardonnay, fruity California Rosé, sweet Moscato, bubbly Prosecco, and more.
Price: $10; skinnygirlcocktails.com
Cupcake LightHearted
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 80
This brand-new collection of lower calorie (and lower alcohol) wines doesn’t sacrifice on flavor even though it clocks in at jut 80 calories and 8% ALC/VOL per 5 oz. serving. The grapes are harvested early in the growing season to minimize BRIX levels (measure of the amount of sugar that is naturally found in grapes) and allow for a lower sugar, lower alcohol product after blending. It comes in all your fave varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Rosé, and Pinot Noir.
Price: $11; cupcakelighthearted.com
Brancott Estates Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 89
Another low-calorie, low-alcohol option, this estate delivers those fresh, bright flavors you would expect from a Marlborough, New Zealand wine. The Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc is lighter take on their signature varietal, with only 89 calories and less than two grams of sugar per pour. Expect a slightly-sweet pungency and zesty acidity, with flavors of lemon and mango. It’s like summer in bottle!
Price: $14; totalwine.com
Oliver Blueberry Moscato
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 101
If you tend to crave a wine that’s on the sweet side, you can’t go wrong with moscato. This blend of Muscat Canelli and Muscat Alexander uses the juice of ripe blueberries and has been a fave in the Oliver Winery tasting room since 2015. In addition to being slightly lower in calories, especially for a sweet wine, this one has zero artificial flavors or colors.
Price: $12; shop.oliverwinery.com
Rosé All Day Spritz
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 45
If rosé is your wine of choice, you’re in luck. This well-marketed brand is not only delicious and Instagram-worthy as can be, but it’s also surprisingly low calorie. Each can (which is 250 mL) clocks in at just 75 calories—and a single 5-ounce glass is only 45. It’s also carbonated and infused with grapefruit for an extra refreshing sip. To top it off, the spritz is entirely organic, gluten-free, and has only 1.5 grams of sugar.
Price: $10.98 for 4-pack; bighammerwines.com
Stella Rosa Aluminums
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 68
From an award-winning selection of semi-sweet, semi-sparkling Italian wines, imported by Riboli Family Wines Estates, comes 16 distinctive flavors available in 750ml, 187ml, and 1.5L magnum glass bottles, as well as 8.5oz aluminum bottles. Aside from the light and portable perks, Stella Rosa Aluminums clock in at about the same amount of calories as a cup of grapes and come in several different flavors, including Black, Platinum, Pink and, the newest, Sparkling Rose, which offers flavor notes of strawberry and rose petals. Basically, it’s rosé on the rocks!
Price: $5 for 8.5 oz can; stellarosawines.com
Spanish Beso Del Sol Sangria
Calories per 5-ounce glass: 74
If you’re into sweeter wines or, better yet, wine cocktails like sangria, you’ll be glad to know that it is possible to score one that tastes great for half the calories. This sangria is made from 100 percent Tempranillo wine from Valdepeñas and offers hints of Spanish lemon, orange, and a touch of cinnamon. It’s also all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, lower alcohol at 8.5 percent, and it does not contain any artificial sweeteners. Pretty sweet, right?
Price: $15; besodelsolsangria.com
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