Carbohydrates in Wine

The consumption of anything in excess is harmful and that applies to all types of alcoholic drinks as well. All types of wine, like all other alcoholic drinks is made and processed through fermentation, which naturally contributes to the level of carbohydrates in wine. It is important that you remove the misconception from your mind that all carbohydrates are bad. Carbohydrates, like proteins and vitamins play an important role in balancing and maintaining the natural growth and development of the human body. The only difference being that all these natural components need to be made to work in harmony with each other. If we can manage that then side effects such as obesity or vitamin deficiencies will never occur!

Does Alcohol Make You Lose or Gain Weight?
Honestly, there is no concise answer to this question. Except the obvious fact that if you binge drink regularly, while making little or absolutely no efforts to exercise, then your bound to gain weight! Though there are some exceptions to why some gain weight while some lose it. These depend on some varied conditions:

• Drinking wine, beer or any other alcohol often, will make you gain weight as the overall calories and carbohydrates in wine and other drinks usually end up accumulating in your fat cells. This applies even to those who work out regularly, unless they increase their workout regimen to lose the extra calories or reduce the quantity of alcohol they drink. Personally I prefer the second option over than the former!
• Genetic predisposition also plays a crucial role, as some people are blessed with high metabolisms which save them from gaining unnecessary weight or body mass.
• Eating fatty snacks while drinking, such as cheese accompanied with wine or fries and dip with beer, will only add extra carbs and calories to the ones already present in the alcoholic drinks.
• Adding aerated sweetened drinks or juiced to vodka and other drinks makes the total calorie consumption rise to extraordinary levels, because of the total sugar content.

Estimated Carbohydrates Found in Wine
The amount of carbohydrates may vary depending on the types of wine. Dry wines such as white wines have comparatively higher carbohydrate levels than red wine. The amount of carbohydrates also depends on two major factors, the first being that the sweeter the wine the more carbohydrates it will contain while the second major factor is the level of alcohol present in the wine. Higher the alcohol content more the carbohydrates.

Total Carbohydrates in Wine Per Glass - Dry & Normal Wine

• Dry Red Wine - 0.5 gm
• Dry White Wine - 0.8 gm
• Sparkling White Wine - 1.6 gm
• Rose Wine - 2.9 gm
• Medium White Wine - 3.9 gm
• Sweet White Wine - 6.8

Total Carbohydrates in Fortified Wine Per Class

• Sherry Dry - 1.6 gm
• Sherry Medium - 4.2
• Sherry Sweet - 7.9 gm
• Port Wine - 13.8 gm

The chart shows that sweet wines such as white wine and rose wine have a much higher content of carbohydrates, while among fortified wines port wine ranks the highest in carbs. The wines that rank comparatively higher than others also have a higher ratio of alcohol present in them which increases the total carbohydrates present in them.

New Low-Carbohydrate Wines
There is a growing trend of buying low-carb wines among health watchers. This is because the higher levels of carbohydrates in wine drastically increase the possibility of consuming more than necessary calories and fat. Companies now have begun producing low-carb wines for all those who savor the taste of wine but do not want to risk their health. These wines are made of low-carb grapes and further processed through dry fermentation which eliminates majority of the total carbohydrates in wine, thereby reducing the wine calories to a large extent as well. Following are the top low-carb wines:

• Brown-Forman Wines - One.6 Chardonnay with 1.6 carbohydrates per five-ounce a glass.
• Brown-Forman Wines - One.9 Merlot with 1.9 carbs per five-ounce a glass.
• Lindemans Early Harvest Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
• The So'Light ranges
• Yellowglen Yellow Jewel NV
• Cockatoo Ridge Low Calorie Brut Cuvee

Wine will always contain some bit of carbohydrates, until technology can completely remove it. Though I really doubt if it will taste like wine after that. Wine has its own quintessential flavor that cannot be replaced. Companies are now trying to convert fortified wines into low-carbohydrates, so that health conscious wine lovers feel less guilty when they indulge in this occasional treat. Make wiser decisions while purchasing wine and give low-carb wines a try, because they taste really good as well.