It’s no secret that wine has been a beloved beverage for centuries, bringing joy to countless occasions and enhancing the flavors of exquisite meals. But in more recent times, people have become more health-conscious and seek out ways to enjoy their wine without the guilt of consuming excessive calories.
There are many wine brands that have risen to the challenge of creating low-calorie wine options, but many times these are big manufacturers, not actual wineries, that mass produce their wines for wide distribution and longer shelf time. Just because you see a wine marketed as “low calorie,” doesn’t mean that it isn’t pumped with added sugars, added sulfites, or other chemical preservatives. When you drink low-calorie wine, you should still be concerned with all of these other aspects of how the wine is made.
SYLTBAR is the perfect example of a 100% naturally produced wine by a family-owned-and-operated vineyard that is much lower in calories than other wines on the market, but still just as flavorful — if not more flavorful — without the need for anything extra! SYLTBAR wines are pure, with nothing added and nothing removed.
Understanding Caloric Content in Wine
Before we delve into the methods of creating low-calorie wine, it is essential to understand the factors that contribute to the caloric content of wine. Wine's calorie content primarily comes from two sources: alcohol and residual sugar. Alcohol contains approximately seven calories per gram, while sugar adds about four calories per gram. Consequently, wines with higher alcohol content and significant residual sugar will typically have more calories per serving.
SYLTBAR wines still maintain their low calorie count despite having a higher alcohol content. That is because there is very low residual sugar content due to the unique winemaking process used by our producers. For example, Cashmere Cabernet Franc is 13% ABV with 115 calories per 6 oz. glass, compared to other red wines that are typically around 180 calories per 6 oz. glass. The ABV range for the average Cabernet Franc is 11%-13.5%, so as you can see, Cashmere ranks toward the top.
Another example is our Mr Premium Prosecco, which is only 49 calories per 6 oz. glass, and our Mrs Sparkling Rosé is 63 calories per 6 oz. glass, compared to other Proseccos that are around 100 calories per 6 oz. glass and Champagnes that are around 140 calories per 6 oz. glass. What’s even more impressive is that Mr and Mrs have been proven to be only 2 SmartPoints for Weight Watchers — that’s less than WW’s own sparkling wine, Cense, which is 3!
Focus on Grape Selection
The foundation of crafting low-calorie wine lies in the careful selection of grape varieties. Some grape varieties inherently produce wines with lower sugar levels, allowing for a naturally lower-calorie product.
It also makes a difference when the wine is a single-grape variety, rather than a blend of a lot of different grapes. SYLTBAR wines are all made from one grape. Mr Premium Prosecco is 100% Glera grape, even though Italian saw states that in order for a wine to legally be considered a Prosecco, it only needs 85% Glera. Mrs Sparkling Rosé is made from 100% Merlot; Cashmere is made from 100% Carmenère Grape; White Linen and Junior are both made from 100% Pinot Grigio, and Silk is made from 100% Fruliano.
A Long Fermentation Process
During the fermentation process, yeast consumes the grape sugars, converting them into alcohol. SYLTBAR pays very close attention to its fermentation process and gives the grapes enough time to develop to their full ripeness. The low-calorie content of SYLTBAR wines is due to this long fermentation time that most brands skip as a way to save time and money. In these cases, they add sugar to make the wine more flavorful. And as you know, more sugar means more calories.
Shop for Low-Calorie Wine
In the world of winemaking, it is definitely an artform to craft a low-calorie wine without compromising flavor, and in the case of SYLTBAR, its alcohol content as well. As consumers, we can savor these offerings responsibly and enjoy the best of both worlds – a guilt-free glass of wine that adds joy to our lives and complements our commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
Check out our online store to shop for all your low-calorie wine needs. Cheers to the delightful journey of balancing taste and health in every sip of low-calorie wine.
