Your Ultimate Guide to How Much Alcohol Is in Every Type of Wine
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The degree of alcohol in any given glass of wine is equivalent to its percentage by volume and is often referred to as "ABV" (or alcohol by volume). Alcohol levels in wine are directly correlated with the amount of sugar that developed in the grapes at harvest time: The higher the sugar levels, the higher the potential alcohol. This doesn't mean that higher-alcohol wines are sweeter, though sometimes this is the case. Rather, yeast consumes the sugar and converts it into alcohol during fermentation. The style (or varietal) of wine, the climate where the grapes were grown, and the winemaking/fermentation process are all key factors in determining both the sugar content of the grapes and the amount of alcohol in your bottle.
The average glass of wine contains about 11 percent to 13 percent alcohol, but bottles range from as little as 5.5 percent alcohol by volume to as much as around 20 percent ABV. When tasting wine, you'll notice alcohol comes through as heat in the back of your mouth or throat. A higher ABV wine will taste warmer and bolder, almost like a slight burning sensation on your palate.
It May Be Higher Than You Think
According to experts, the alcohol content of wine has spiked considerably in recent years. "There's pressure on winemakers from critics for intense flavors, and that means riper grapes," explains Marnie Old, former director of wine studies at the French Culinary Institute in New York City and co-author of He Said Beer, She Said Wine. "So during the past few years, winemakers have been leaving grapes on the vines well after they would typically be picked, and that translates into fuller-bodied wines and more alcohol." Thanks to scientific advances in farming, it's now less risky to postpone a harvest. Warmer climates also play a role, so a riesling from California is going to be much more potent than a traditional one from a cooler climate, like Germany.
Knowing how much alcohol you're imbibing is useful information. Here's a guide to wines with very low, moderately low, high, and very high alcohol content. Cheers to whatever style suits you!
Sparkling Wine Alcohol Content
| Wine | ABV |
| Italian Asti | Very Low; under 12.5 percent |
| Italian Prosecco | Very Low; under 12.5 percent |
| California Sparkling Wine | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| French Champagne | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Spanish Cava | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
Rosé Alcohol Content
| Wine | ABV |
| California White Zinfandel | Very Low; under 12.5 percent |
| Portuguese Rosés | Very Low; under 12.5 percent |
| French Rosés | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Spanish Rosés | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
RELATED: Orange Wine is the New Rosé
White Wine Alcohol Content
| Wine | ABV |
| French Vouvray and Muscadet | Very Low; under 12.5 percent |
| German Riesling | Very Low; under 12.5 percent |
| Portuguese Vinho Verde | Very Low; under 12.5 percent |
| Spanish Txakoli | Very Low; under 12.5 percent |
| Austrian Grüner Veltliner | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Australian Riesling | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| French Alsace White | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| French Loire and Bordeaux Whites | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| French White Burgundy | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Italian Pinot Grigio | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| New York Riesling | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Oregon Pinot Gris | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| South African Sauvignon Blanc | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Spanish Albarino | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Australian Chardonnay | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| California Chardonnay | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| California Pinot Gris | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| California Sauvignon Blanc | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| California Viognier | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| Chilean Chardonnay | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| French Sauternes | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| South African Chenin Blanc | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| French Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise (fortified) | Very High; more than 14.5 percent |
| Portuguese Madeira (fortified) | Very High; more than 14.5 percent |
| Spanish Sherry (fortified) | Very High; more than 14.5 percent |
Red Wine Alcohol Content
| Wine | ABV |
| French Beaujolais and Burgundy | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| French Bordeaux | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Italian Chianti | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Spanish Rioja | Moderately Low; 12.5 to 13.5 percent |
| Argentine Malbec | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| Australian Shiraz | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| California Cabernet Sauvignon | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| California Pinot Noir | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| California Syrah | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| Chilean Merlot | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| French Rhône Red | High; 13.5 to 14.5 percent |
| Italian Barolo | High (13.5 to 14.5 Percent) |
| California Petite Sirah | Very High; more than 14.5 percent |
| California Zinfandel | Very High; more than 14.5 percent |
| Italian Amarone | Very High; more than 14.5 percent |
| Portuguese Port (fortified) | Very High; more than 14.5 percent |