Fans of dry white wine have reason to celebrate. Nutritionists consider their alcoholic preferences to be the least harmful (if we can even talk about alcohol as something safe at all).
Moreover, experts have even dubbed dry white wine the “healthiest” choice for both wellness and weight management. The reason? It contains the least amount of sugar and alcohol.
Debbie Petitpain, a registered dietitian and representative of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (USA), explained that dry white wines, such as German Riesling, have the lowest residual sugars. This refers to the natural sugars that remain in the liquid after the fermentation of grapes.
In dry white wine, these sugars are minimal because the fermentation process continues until almost all the sugar is converted into alcohol. This is why it has a crisp, tart flavor. The expert noted that a glass of dry white wine contains about 120 calories (the lowest calorie count among all alcoholic beverages) and only one gram of sugar. Typically, dry white wines have an alcohol content ranging from 9 to 11 percent.
The Place of Origin Matters
White wines from warmer regions tend to have higher sugar content and a higher alcohol percentage. It’s no coincidence that the best dry white wines are considered to come from cooler climate regions, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Among these cooler regions are Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, Austria, Macedonia, Hungary, Germany, as well as northern France, Italy, and Greece.
Nutritionists recommend a method for wine lovers that makes it even healthier: diluting the drink with sparkling water. According to Ms. Petitpain, visually, the serving will appear larger, but it will contain even less alcohol and fewer calories.
Red Wine Enthusiasts Disagree with This Theory
Those who prefer red wine often do not believe in the benefits of dry white. They have their own arguments in favor of their favorite drink, which are supported by some researchers.
There is a belief that red wine, in moderation, supports heart health. The key magical ingredient in this wine is the antioxidant resveratrol. It is found in the grape skins, which are also used in the production of the drink (unlike white wine, where the skins are left out of the process).
Thus, resveratrol helps prevent damage to blood vessels, lowers bad cholesterol levels, and combats the formation of blood clots.
Registered dietitian Kerry-Ann Jennings insists that red wine is indeed slightly healthier than white, as it contains more vitamins and minerals. However, the expert agrees that the advantage of white wine lies in its lower calorie content.
Meanwhile, leading American dietitian Alex Oldeborg noted, “To achieve such health benefits, you would have to drink a lot of red wine, so just one recommended glass a day won’t be enough.”
Dietary guidelines in many countries suggest an acceptable amount of wine: for women, no more than one glass, and for men, two glasses per day.