Wine with Leslie: Weighing up calories and alcohol levels in wines from various regions

The average glass of wine contains around 90 calories, similar to a glass of Coke.

Anyone reading this column regularly will know I’m more of a maximalist than a minimalist, more a hedonist than an ascetic. I don’t give up things for lent or cut out food groups (isn’t wine a food group?). I believe we should take pleasure in everyday things, especially food and drink.

Having said that, I do want to continue to wear my expensive Italian jackets, so even I watch calories sometimes. I don’t do diets as such, but I do skip meals, and I try to reduce my wine intake whenever I notice my shirts getting tighter.

The average glass of wine contains around 90 calories, similar to a glass of Coke. To figure out the calories in a bottle multiply the ABV by 40.95. Residual sugar in the wine will add just 3 calories per gram and few table wines have more than 4 or 5 grams per litre so it is alcohol content you need to watch. The exception is appassimento wines from Italy which can have 7-9g per litre. 

Also stay away from big brand supermarket wines, Dada typically has 11-12g, Apothik has up to 16% and 19 Crimes has around 12g, Snoop Dogg’s 19 Crimes Rosé has 28g/l.

Alcohol levels in all wines have crept up in recent years, thanks largely to warmer summers and the popularity of riper styles. Whites tend to be lower ABV than reds but they too have increased. Reds from the Southern Rhône can be 15% these days but in cooler climates like Austria and Germany 12% is not uncommon. 

High altitude regions like Argentina have lower ABV (13-13.5% is the norm), and also look to mountainous parts of Italy like Cirò, Piedmont (Dolcetto, Nebbiolo) and to Dão and Bairrada in Portugal. Some suggestions below, do bring a magnifier to the wine shop to see for yourself.

Gui Gas Vinho Verde, Vinho Verde, Portugal 9% ABV, €12.99

A blend of Arinto, Loureiro and Trajadura, all typical grapes from the Vinho Verde region of Northern Portugal. Grapes for Vinho Verde are typically light in sugar and picked early so the wines have lower alcohol. Vibrant and fresh with just a hint of spritz, lemony, zingy and refreshing, perfect with grilled fish and a salad, think how virtuous you will feel!

No. 21; Bradleys; McHughs; Drink Store; La Touche; Independents

Ciello Rosso, Cantine Rallo Estate, Sicily IGP, 13% ABV, €14.50

From organic Nero d’Avola grapes, unfined and unfiltered. Ripe red fruits mixed with lightly smoky darker ones and notes of chocolate and liquorice. Just 13% ABV despite being from sunny Sicily, the Ciello Blanco is only 12%. 

This producer should be on every wine list given the value-to-price ratio.

L’Atitude 51; JJ O’Driscolls; Bradleys; World Wide Wines, Baggot St. Wines, Green man, Winehouse, Le Caveau www.lecaveau.ie.

Dandy di Cidrô Tinto, Douro, Portugal 11.5% ABV, €20

From the oldest wine producer in Portugal (they also own Royal Oporto). This is just 11.5% ABV and mainly from Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) plus some Tinta Francisca and fragrant Viosinho. Lively red fruit aromas, pomegranate, strawberry and raspberry, soft and juicy with a pleasing tang of cherry skin on the finish. 

Can be served cool.

Matson’s; Number 21 Cork & Waterford; McHughs; Pinto Wines; La Touche; Independents

Kombeara Hard Kombucha, 4.2% ABV, 330ml €4.00

This is Ireland’s first hard kombucha, created in West Cork and designed to be a little healthier than other alcoholic drinks, gut-friendly and with 107 kcal per can (c.30kcal less than Bud or Coke). 

Flavours include ‘Grapefruit-Bloodorange-Yuzu’, ‘Blueberry-Lemon’ and Mango-Passionfruit. All three have a pleasant fermented lightly sour character balanced by the fruit flavours. Of the three the blueberry-lemon was my favourite.

CarryOut; Castle Tralee; Independents; Kombeara.com.