Calories in a Glass of Red Wine

Wine is a delicious part of the diet. Red wine is known for its anti-oxidants and adding a bit of red wine to your daily meal is a good way to stay healthy (as well as complement the flavors in your food).

But for those people on a diet, red wine is yet another drink that requires the counting of calories. It is too easy to forget that red wine is still a drink that can contain several calories when too much is consumed, so it is good to know how many calories are in a glass of red wine so you can enjoy it accordingly.

The calories in a glass of red wine vary depending on the type of wine you choose. In general, however, they are fairly easy to characterize. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that most people assume anywhere between 5 to 8 ounces of wine is considered a “glass” but many wine companies claim that only 4oz is considered a “glass,” and provide calories based on that number.

Ruby port is the wine that has the most calories. 4 fluid ounces have roughly 180 calories. For the individual that drinks six ounce glasses, this is equivalent to about 270 calories per glass.

Bordeaux, Beaujolais and Burgundy both have 140 calories per 6oz glass. Merlot shares roughly the same number. Red zinfandel has slightly less, at about 135 calories.

Muscatel, which is considered a red wine by some (though not others) has far more calories. 160 in a 4oz glass, meaning there are 240 in 6oz.

Having two glasses of red wine per day is important for your diet, but if you are watching calories, you will notice that they can clearly add up. Drinking 8 oz of Merlot will not be adding a great deal of calories to your diet and can help keep your heart healthy.