While every type of wine drunk is equally amazing, it turns out not all vino is created equal.
This is especially true when it comes to things like calories, alcohol content and sugar.
Yep, if wine happens to be a staple in your diet, you might want to put down your glass of merlot for a minute and pay attention.
Apparently, getting wine wasted on the reg can have some serious consequences for your waistline.
Now, before you have a pinot-induced panic attack, this doesn't necessarily mean you have to swear off your beloved vino and go back to the boring old days of sipping on drinks that keep you sober.
You just have to make smart choices when choosing a wine and only turn up with a variety that won't make you tip the scales.
If you're not sure what the hell constitutes as a "healthy" wine choice, don't worry.
We used Wine Folly to do some in-depth research on your beloved boozy beverage and uncorked everything you need to know about picking a wine that won't sabotage your skinny jeans.
Go for wines with a low alcohol percentage.
Unfortunately, wine doesn't come with a nutrition label that spells out how many calories are in each glass.
I actually find this to be a good thing because each time I polish off a bottle of pinot, I would rather not know the colossal amount of calories I just consumed.
If you're a calorie-conscious wino, on the other hand, you can use the alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage listed on the label to get a general idea of the wine's calorie contents.
In general, wines with lower alcohol percentages tend to have fewer calories than wines with higher a ABV percentage. The only time the rule doesn't apply is when wines contain added sugar, which can significantly up the calorie count.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, and there's approximately 170.1 grams in a 6-ounce serving of wine. You can multiply the ABV percentage by seven and then multiply the sum by 170.1 to get a rough estimate of the calories.
If you're too lazy to do math, I don't blame you. Just stick to wines that have an ABV of 9 to 12 percent, since these typically run in the 107 to 143 calorie range.
When in doubt, choose white.
There has been considerable debate over which wine is better for your health. While red wine may be better for your heart, white wine is definitely better for your waistline.
The reason for this is white wine is typically lower in calories and alcohol than red.
Dry whites with low ABVs are going to be your best bet, since a 6-ounce glass of torrontés only contains about 107 calories.
But dry whites that contain more alcohol, such as chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, can run anywhere from 153 to 173 calories per glass.
Sweet whites also tend to fall on the lower end of the calorie spectrum.
Whites with low ABVs, like Chenin Blanc, contain about 144 calories per 6-ounce glass, whereas stronger, sweet whites like auslese riesling will cost you about 152 calories.
If you're a fan of bubbles, you'll be glad to know those fizzy flutes of Champagne tend to be more forgiving on the waistline and usually contain less than 150 calories per glass.
Red wines, on the other hand, might not be the best choice if you're trying to maintain your beach bod.
Lighter reds, like Chianti, will set you back by about 149 calories per 6-ounce pour, while stronger reds, such as pinot noir, merlot and syrah, can range from 165 to 195 calories per glass.
If you like to wet your whistle with a glass of port or sherry after dinner, I have some bad news for you. There's a reason they classify these sweet sips as dessert wines.
A 6-ounce glass of these potent wines can contain up to a whopping 275 calories.
So yeah, you might want to stay away from the reds and dessert wines if you're on a diet.
Opt for European varieties.
The region in which wine is produced can also affect the amount of calories it contains.
Grapes grown in warmer climates tend to have a higher sugar content, so wines that originate from countries like Chile, South Africa and Australia usually contain more calories than wines that come from colder regions.
European countries like Italy, France and Germany usually have stricter alcohol regulations, and therefore, they produce wines that have less alcohol and calories than other countries.
So, the next time you find yourself torn between a wine from Argentina, some vino from Napa Valley or a bottle of France's finest, always go for the European grapes.
Always check for added sugar.
Most bottles of bubbly tend to be on the lower end of the booze spectrum. As I stated earlier, less alcohol normally means less calories, which makes Champagne seem like a diet-friendly drink.
However, some sparkling sips can have a lot more added sugar than you may think.
If you're looking to keep your calories in check, opt for a sparkling wine that has "Brut Nature" or "Brut Zero" on the label. These Champagnes have a minimal amount of added sugar and contain about 120 calories per glass.
Champagnes labeled as "Doux," on the other hand, are a much sweeter variety that contain a lot more added sugar, and therefore, a lot more calories.
Now, go out there and find your perfect wine that won't demolish your waistline.
