White wine is fermented from grapes but without the skins, maintaining a light straw or gold color. Different types of grapes can be used to make white wine. Popular varietals include chardonnay, pinot grigio, and sauvignon blanc.
In health circles, red wine usually gets more attention than white wine because it contains resveratrol—a polyphenol compound found in the skin of the grapes that may have heart-healthy benefits. Since white wine is fermented without the skins, it contains far less resveratrol.
White wine can still be included in a well-balanced and healthy eating plan, but moderation is key when consuming this or any alcoholic beverage.
White Wine Nutrition Facts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides the following nutrition information for one 5-ounce glass (147g) of white table wine.
- Calories: 121
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 7.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 3.8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 1.4g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Alcohol: 15g
Carbs
The number of calories and carbs in white wine can vary based on the type you choose and the size of your glass. For example, a 5-ounce glass of dry white table wine will provide about 121 calories and 3.8 grams of carbohydrates. About 1.4g of the carbohydrates are sugar.
Most dry white wines will have about the same nutritional information with slight variation. According to USDA data, sauvignon blanc is slightly lower in calories and carbs (119 calories, 3g carbs). Pinot grigio and chardonnay are slightly higher in calories, but slightly lower in carbs.
The differences between these dry white varietals are minimal. But wine glass size can vary substantially. A single serving of wine is considered to be 5 ounces. But it is not uncommon to see wine glasses in home or restaurant settings filled with 6, 8, or even 9 ounces of wine. Each ounce of wine adds about another 25 calories.
Also, if you choose a sweet white wine, you can expect to consume more calories and more carbs. Often sweet wines are consumed in smaller portions. For instance, a 100ml (3.3 ounces) serving of pink Moscato contains 83 calories and 11g of carbohydrates, all of which are sugar.
Fats
There is no fat in white wine.
Protein
White wine provides almost no protein.
Alcohol
Most of the calories in white table wine come from alcohol. A gram of alcohol provides 7 calories. There are about 15g of alcohol in white wine.
Vitamin and Minerals
Although white wine contains small amounts of micronutrients, including vitamin B6 and magnesium, it is not a good source of any vitamins or minerals.
Health Benefits
Numerous studies have investigated the impact of alcohol consumption on health. Many have specifically focused on red wine consumption, but some have targeted other types of alcohol, including white wine, beer, and liquor.
Some health benefits are suggested in studies. However, in most cases, the quantity of alcohol consumed makes a big difference. There is also a potential drawback for every potential benefit, depending on the dose, and the USDA does not recommend that adults who do not currently drink alcohol start drinking—even for suggested health benefits.
Better Heart Health
There have been some widely promoted studies that support moderate red wine consumption for improved heart health. Polyphenols such as resveratrol may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and positively impact individual human organs.
But white wine contains far less resveratrol than red wine. The total polyphenol content of red wine is measured in thousands of gallic acid equivalents, whereas white wine is only measured in the hundreds. In fact, according to one study, red wine has six times more resveratrol than white wine.
Red Wine Nutrition Facts
Furthermore, studies regarding the health benefits of wine (red or white) have not been consistent. While some studies indicated that moderate wine consumption might provide benefits, including a reduced risk for several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, researchers also point out that other lifestyle factors play a key role and that any (potential) health benefits may not apply to all people.
Most importantly, health experts have identified light to moderate alcohol intake as up to one drink per day for women and one or two drinks per day for men.
Researchers are quick to advise that higher levels of alcohol consumption are associated with an increasedrisk of adverse cardiovascular events.
Stress Relief
Studies suggest that alcohol may provide some benefits related to stress reduction. Recent studies have shown that consuming a moderate dose of alcohol after a mental stressor may help you rebound faster.
But the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that the relationship between stress and alcohol can be tricky. Using alcohol to manage a stressful situation can take a psychological and physiological toll on the body.
May Reduce the Risk of Diabetes
Studies have suggested that light to moderate drinking may be associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. But researchers also say that the relationship between alcohol and glucose control is complex in those who have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Authors of one study say that overall nutritional intake plays a big role in how alcohol impacts insulin and glucose metabolism. They note that research findings have been inconclusive about the relative benefits and risks of alcohol consumption in those with this condition.
Adverse Effects
While drinking wine might provide some benefits, there are significant consequences if you drink too much.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides recommendations for alcohol consumption, including wine. According to the guidelines, moderate alcohol consumption can be incorporated into the calorie limits of most healthy eating patterns. The USDA also provides guidance about the amount of alcohol to consume.
According to the USDA, alcohol should be consumed in moderation: up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, and only by non-pregnant adults of legal drinking age.
A standard drink is considered to be:
- 12 ounces of beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of brandy, cognac, or distilled liquor (80 proof)
The NIAAA endorses the USDA's guidelines for moderate drinking. Both organizations do not recommend that you start drinking wine or any other alcohol if you don't currently drink. And because alcoholic beverages are not a component of the USDA's recommended healthy dietary patterns, the calories should be accounted for if you choose to drink so they are not exceeded.
The NIAAA advises that you put yourself at higher risk forharmful consequences or adverse health effects if you exceed the recommended consumption levels.
Alcohol Use Disorder
One of the primary health consequences of consuming too much alcohol is alcohol use disorder (AUD). Binge drinking (usually four drinks for women and five drinks for men in about two hours) or heavy alcohol use (more than four drinks on any day for men or more than three drinks for women) puts you at higher risk for AUD.
Signs of AUD may include (but are not limited to) drinking more than you had intended, being unable to cut back, or continuing to drink despite problems with family or friends. The disorder can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
Increased Stress and Loneliness
Feeling lonely or stressed may put you at higher risk for alcohol use disorder by increasing the desire to overdrink. But drinking too much during times of stress may lead to increased stress and potentially increased loneliness.
Researchers also know that long-term, heavy drinking can cause increased anxiety and a decreased ability to deal with stress due to the release of higher amounts of certain stress hormones.
According to the NIAAA, a long-term heavy drinker may experience higher levels of anxiety when faced with a stressful situation than someone who never drank or who drank only moderate amounts.
Lessons Learned From 9/11
A series of studies were published in the years following the 9/11 attacks in New York City. Researchers found that increased exposure to news reports about the attacks combined with a history of drinking problems was associated with heavier drinking in the year after the event.
They also determined that the intensity of exposure to 9/11 had long‐lasting effects, with greater exposure to the attack associated with binge drinking even five to six years later.
Reduced Immune Health
Authors of a study published in Alcohol Research Current Reviews report an association between excessive alcohol consumption and immune-related health problems such as an increased risk for pneumonia.
Study authors suggest that alcohol disrupts immune pathways that can impair the body’s ability to defend against infection. Alcohol can also contribute to organ damage associated with alcohol consumption and impede recovery from tissue injury.
Compromised Bone Health
There have been several studies on bone health and liquor consumption. While at least one study indicated that light drinking might reduce fracture risk in postmenopausal women, most studies indicate that alcohol consumption may negatively impact bone health.
In a widely cited, large-scale research review for the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, author H. Wayne Sampson, PhD, concludes that chronic, heavy alcohol consumption in women compromises bone health and increases the risk of osteoporosis.
Sampson adds that the effects are particularly striking in young people, but chronic alcohol use in adulthood can also harm bone health. More recent studies have confirmed these findings.
Increased Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke
A 2014 study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings reported an association between moderate alcohol consumption and a decreased risk for certain cardiac events. But it's important to note that excessive alcohol consumption is the third leading cause of premature death in the United States.
According to the report, heavy alcohol use is one of the most common causes of reversible hypertension; it accounts for about one-third of all nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy cases. It is also a frequent cause of atrial fibrillation and markedly increases the risk of stroke—both ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Nutrition
Obesity
Alcohol provides no nutritional value and contains 7 calories per gram instead of 4 calories per gram for protein and carbohydrate. So it is not a surprise that drinking excessively is associated with unhealthy weight gain and obesity. The amount you consume makes a difference.
The authors of one study suggest that light-to-moderate alcohol intake is not associated with fat gain, while heavy drinking is more consistently related to weight gain. They say that evidence is mixed and suggest that moderate alcohol intake does not lead to weight gain over the short term, but alcohol intake may be a risk factor for obesity in some individuals.
How Alcohol Can Lead to Weight Gain
Contraindications
Some people should not consume alcohol at all—even in limited amounts. For example, some over-the-counter and prescription medications cause drowsiness and should not be taken with alcohol. In most cases, a label on your prescription bottle should indicate whether or not alcohol consumption is safe. If you are not sure, check with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
If you plan to drive or operate machinery, you should avoid alcohol. In addition, those who are recovering from an alcohol use disorder or struggle with addiction should not drink alcohol.
The USDA and the NIAAA advise that people who are pregnant should not drink alcohol. According to the NIAA, "Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in brain damage and other serious problems in the baby. The effects are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASD, and can result in lifelong physical, cognitive, and behavioral problems."
Allergies
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, there are reported cases of alcohol allergy. Symptoms may include rash, swelling, or throat constriction.
There have also been specific reports of wine allergy and intolerance, although an allergy to red wine is more common than an allergy to white wine. The allergy may be related either to grapes or to other products used during fermentation. Symptoms may include sneezing, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, or skin problems. More severe symptoms have also been reported.
If you have a known allergy to grapes, you should seek the guidance of a healthcare professional to discuss whether wine is safe for you to drink.
Varieties
There are many different varieties of white wine. Wines are generally classified by grape varietal (chardonnay, pinot grigio, etc.) or by the region where the grapes are grown (Burgundy or Chablis). A bottle of wine may include just one type of grape (straight varietal), or it may contain a blend of grapes.
Grapes including sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, chardonnay, Sémillon, Viognier, and pinot blanc are often used to make dry white wines. Wines such as Gewürztraminer, Moscato, muscat, Sauternes, and some rieslings are usually sweeter and fruit-forward.
Storage and Food Safety
White wine should be stored in a cool, dry location, away from heat and light. If your wine has a cork, store it on its side, so the cork stays moist. Most white wines are meant to be consumed within two to three years of bottling.
White wine is usually served slightly cool, around 48 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, many people choose to refrigerate white wine. Keep in mind, however, that your refrigerator is probably cooler than is recommended. You may wish to invest in a temperature-controlled wine fridge.
Wine can be frozen, but it is not recommended if you prefer to drink the wine. Wine can be frozen to make ice cubes or for other uses in recipes.
Is Wine Gluten-Free?
