¿Cuántas calorías tiene el vino tinto?

Red wine is part of the Mediterranean table, but it's worth knowing what it brings in calories if you watch your diet. We explain where they come from and how to enjoy it without overdoing it.

Where the calories come from

Most of red wine's energy comes from alcohol, and to a lesser extent from the sugars left after fermentation. The higher the alcohol content and the sweeter it is, the more calories it will provide. A dry wine with moderate alcohol will therefore be lighter than a powerful or sweet one.

A rough reference

A glass of red wine is around the calories of a small snack, depending on the size of the glass and the wine. The figure rises quickly if you have several glasses in a row, because alcohol is calorific and doesn't fill you up either. Serving moderate glasses and not topping them up without noticing is the best way to keep it in check.

• Alcohol content: the higher the strength, the more calories.
• Residual sugar: dry wines provide fewer than sweet ones.
• Glass size: the real serving is usually larger than you think.

Wine and the Mediterranean diet

Red wine traditionally accompanies meals within a Mediterranean pattern based on vegetables, olive oil, pulses and fish. The key is moderation: low consumption with food is very different from drinking to excess. No benefit makes up for crossing the line.

How to enjoy it without guilt

Choose wines you genuinely like and drink them slowly, paying attention to what's in the glass. Drinking less and better is usually more satisfying than drinking out of habit. Alternate with water and save the wine to accompany good moments at the table.

From the figure to the experience

Understanding a wine helps you enjoy it more calmly and with less on autopilot. If you'd like to learn how it's made and why each region gives different wines, plan a getaway by browsing the list of all the wineries and experience it at the source.