Buzz
Did you know that the alcohol content in wine differs by type and brand? Understanding how much alcohol is in each bottle can help you gauge its flavor profile and keep track of your consumption. The alcohol percentage also affects the shelf life of your wine, so you can store it properly for the best experience.
While alcohol content varies between wines, sparkling and rosé wines typically have the lowest levels, white wines fall in the middle, and red wines tend to have higher alcohol percentages. We consulted with a wine expert to help us explore the potency of different wines. Here’s a breakdown of wines with very low, moderate, high, and very high alcohol content. Cheers to whatever your preference may be!
What Does ABV Mean?
The alcohol content in wine is directly linked to the sugar content in grapes at harvest. The more sugar present, the greater the potential alcohol. However, higher sugar levels don't always result in sweeter wines, though this can occasionally be the case. Yeast consumes the sugar and turns it into alcohol during the fermentation process.
What Does ABV Mean?
Alcohol by volume (ABV) indicates the alcohol percentage in a glass of wine, reflecting its alcohol content by volume.
Key Elements That Influence Alcohol Content
The typical wine glass contains about 11% to 13% alcohol, but bottles can vary from as low as 5.5% ABV to as high as around 20% ABV. For comparison, a regular beer has about 5% alcohol, and a 1.5-ounce shot of distilled spirits usually contains about 40% alcohol. Several important factors determine both the sugar content in the grapes and the alcohol level in your wine.
- Wine Style (or Grape Variety): The type of grape used in wine-making can influence the grape's sugar content, which directly affects the alcohol content. Some grape varieties are naturally sweeter, leading to wines with higher alcohol levels.
- Climate: Grapes grown in warmer climates are able to ripen fully before harvest, resulting in higher sugar levels. This increased sugar leads to higher alcohol content in the wine made from those grapes.
- Fermentation Process: During fermentation, yeast converts sugar into alcohol. The amount of sugar turned into alcohol can be controlled, affecting the alcohol percentage in each wine type.
Choose a low-alcohol wine if you want to reduce your alcohol intake while still enjoying a glass during your meal.
Sarah CrowleyAlcohol Content in Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine, with its signature bubbles, refers to any carbonated wine. While Champagne is the most famous, sparkling wines can be found in white, red, or rosé varieties.
| Wine | ABV |
| Italian Asti | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| Italian Prosecco | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| French Crémant | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| Pétillant Naturel | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| California Sparkling Wine | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| French Champagne | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Spanish Cava | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Sekt | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Franciacorta | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
Alcohol Content in Rosé Wine
Rosé wine, which falls between red and white wines, has a pink hue. Unlike red wine, which ferments for weeks with grape skins, rosé only interacts with the skins for a few hours, giving it a lighter color.
| Wine | ABV |
| California White Zinfandel | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| Portuguese Rosés | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| French Rosés | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Spanish Rosés | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
Alcohol Content in White Wine
White wine, made from white grapes, is not fermented with the grape skins. By removing the skins before fermentation, the wine retains less color.
| Wine | ABV |
| French Vouvray and Muscadet | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| German Riesling | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| Portuguese Vinho Verde | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| Spanish Txakoli | Very Low; under 12.5% |
| Austrian Grüner Veltliner | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Australian Riesling | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| French Alsace White | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| French Loire and Bordeaux Whites | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| French White Burgundy | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Italian Pinot Grigio | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| New York Riesling | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Oregon Pinot Gris | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| South African Sauvignon Blanc | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Spanish Albarino | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Australian Chardonnay | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| California Chardonnay | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| California Pinot Gris | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| California Sauvignon Blanc | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| California Viognier | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| Chilean Chardonnay | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| French Sauternes | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| South African Chenin Blanc | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| French Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise (fortified) | Very High; more than 14.5% |
| Portuguese Madeira (fortified) | Very High; more than 14.5% |
| Spanish Sherry (fortified) | Very High; more than 14.5% |
Alcohol Content in Red Wine
Unlike white wine, red wine is produced using dark-colored grapes, like red or black varieties. The skins and seeds remain in during fermentation, giving red wine its deep color.
| Wine | ABV |
| French Beaujolais and Burgundy | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| French Bordeaux | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Italian Chianti | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Spanish Rioja | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5% |
| Argentine Malbec | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| Australian Shiraz | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| California Cabernet Sauvignon | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| California Pinot Noir | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| California Syrah | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| Chilean Merlot | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| French Rhône Red | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| Italian Barolo | High; 13.5 to 14.5% |
| California Petite Sirah | Very High; more than 14.5% |
| California Zinfandel | Very High; more than 14.5% |
| Italian Amarone | Very High; more than 14.5% |
| Portuguese Port (fortified) | Very High; more than 14.5% |
Winemakers Are Increasing Wine Alcohol Content
Experts say that the alcohol content of wine has significantly risen over time. "There’s pressure from critics for more intense flavors, which leads to riper grapes," explains wine expert Marnie Old. "In recent years, winemakers have been leaving grapes on the vines longer than usual, resulting in fuller-bodied wines with higher alcohol content."
Thanks to advancements in farming techniques, it’s now less risky to delay the harvest. Warmer climates also contribute—so a riesling from California will have a much higher alcohol content than one from a cooler region like Germany.
How Does Alcohol Content Impact the Flavor of Wine?
The alcohol content in wine influences its texture and the way flavors are perceived. While a wine's taste can vary depending on an individual's genetic makeup and how they experience its qualities, in general, wines with lower alcohol content tend to taste sweeter due to residual sugar from fermentation. On the other hand, wines with higher alcohol levels often present a bolder, more astringent flavor profile.
A wine's body and mouthfeel are also impacted by its alcohol content. Wines with lower ABV are typically lighter, while those with higher ABV offer a fuller, heavier sensation. Additionally, higher-alcohol wines can feel warm in the mouth, creating a less balanced experience compared to wines with lower alcohol content. This is due to the fact that a higher alcohol content can alter the balance between acidity and sweetness, making the wine feel warmer and more intense. When tasting, this warmth often manifests as heat in the back of the throat or mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is a glass of wine stronger than a glass of beer?
Generally, wine is about 50% stronger than most beers. Many variables play a role, such as the size of the glass and the type of beer or wine served. Furthermore, wine is absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than beer, meaning its effects are felt sooner.
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Is wine stronger than regular alcohol?
In the U.S., one standard drink contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol. This is found in about 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits. While the strength can vary based on the type of drink and quantity consumed, typically, one ounce of wine is stronger than one ounce of beer.
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Is there a lot of sugar in wine?
The sugar content in wine can vary depending on the wine type, the region where it is produced, and how much is consumed. The alcohol content in wine is directly related to how much sugar is converted during fermentation. For instance, a 5-ounce serving of red table wine contains roughly 0.9 grams of sugar, while white table wine of the same volume has around 1.4 grams of sugar.
