Wine is a great drink, as there are many different types of wine that cater to a myriad of different tastes and preferences, meaning there is usually something for everyone.
And as you get into adult life, having a glass or two of wine becomes an excellent way to unwind and relax, whether it’s at the weekend or during the holidays. The actual alcohol content differs between lower abv wine and higher alcohol wines.
But have you ever wondered about how many glasses of drinks are in a full bottle of wine? Say you finish a whole bottle of wine, how much wine is that? How many drinks does that equate to? This depends on the alcohol content.
Key Takeaways
- The alcohol content of your favorite wine depends on the sugar content of the grape juice it is fermented from
- A wine bottle contains between 6 to 15 % ABV. The wine alcohol content can vary depending on grape juice and fermentation conditions
- Referring to the alcohol content the number of drinks in a bottle of wine can vary greatly as wine can contain twice as much alcohol comparing the wines with the lowest and highest alcohol content
- A bottle of wine contains 25 ounces and a standard drink 5 ounces and contains between 37 to 115 ml of pure ethyl alcohol.
Alcohol content of your drink
It’s important to know how much you are drinking so that you can make sure it’s a reasonable amount, and so that you are able to monitor your alcohol and drink intake for health-related reasons.
Of course, the number of drinks in a bottle of wine will largely depend on how big the bottle of wine is. However, the amount of alcohol and the type of wine itself are also factors to take into consideration when asking this question.
So without further adieu, let’s get right into the subject!
Wine alcohol content guide
A standard bottle of wine can usually contain around 750ml of drink, so that is the best wine bottle size to use as a reference when calculating the average amount of drinks within a bottle of wine.
This is also the equivalent of 25 fluid ounces. So how many glasses are in a bottle of wine?
When you serve wine into a standard wine glass, you are usually pouring in around 5 ounces, which is the equivalent of 147ml. So as a standard rule, a bottle of wine will contain 5 glasses of wine.
However, it’s not quite as simple as that. Wines sparkling wines distilled spirits that contain higher levels of alcohol will be served in smaller doses, for obvious reasons.
Influence of wine alcohol content on serving size
So, for example, if you go to a restaurant and order a stronger wine, you will get a smaller serving than if you were choosing a lighter wine. The amount of wine poured is proportional to the levels of alcohol, so that the alcohol intake can be better regulated.
So if a 750ml bottle of white wine or red wine has a higher level of alcohol, then it will be able to contain more servings.
That is assuming that you pour the wine out in a reasonable dose, at home you can then pour as much or twice as much or less alcohol content or little as you want and all of these averages and rules don’t really apply!
To clarify this concept a little more, let’s look at the recommended serving size for a few different types of wine, according to their levels of alcohol. Then you will see how the number of servings varies for each bottle of wine, despite them all being a standard 750ml size.
How much alcohol is in sparkling wines
The effervescence of sparkling red and white wines, not only adds a delightful fizz to the tasting experience but also plays a role in how alcohol is consumed. The presence of carbon dioxide in these wines can lead to faster absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, causing an increase in blood alcohol levels compared to still wines. This effect is particularly significant when consuming multiple servings of bubbly, as the carbonation can mask the feeling of intoxication, potentially leading to overconsumption.
It’s important to be mindful of this influence when enjoying sparkling wines and to pace oneself accordingly. By being aware of how carbon dioxide can impact alcohol intake, one can better appreciate and savor each serving without risking going over their limit. Remember that moderation is key when indulging in these effervescent delights, as even a small amount can have a more pronounced effect than expected due to the unique properties of sparkling wines.
Moscato d’Asti:
The percentage of alcohol by volume is between 5.5% and 7.5%.
The recommended serving size for this wine is between 8 to 11 ounces.
So the total number of servings in a 750ml bottle would be between 2.3 and 3.2. Depending on the style of Moscato it can be sparkling or still wine.
Riesling, and Muscadet:
The alcohol content is between 8% and 9.5% ABV.
The recommended serving size for this wine is between 6.3 to 7.5 ounces.
So the total number of servings in a 750ml bottle would be between 3.4 and 4.
Lambrusco, and Pinot Grigio:
The alcohol content is between 10% and 11.5% ABV.
The recommended serving size for this wine is between 2.6 to 3.1 ounces.
So the total number of servings in a 750ml bottle would be between 4.2 and 4.8.
Champagne, and Sauvignon Blanc:
The alcohol content is between 12% and 13.5% ABV
The recommended serving size for this wine is between 2.2 to 2.5 ounces.
So the total number of servings in a 750ml bottle would be between 5.1 and 5.7.
Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir:
The alcohol content is between 14% and 15% ABV
The recommended serving size for this wine is between 2 to 2.1 ounces.
So the total number of servings in a 750ml bottle would be between 5.9 and 6.3.
Port wines, and other fortified wines:
The percentage of alcohol by volume higher alcohol content wines is between 15.5% in white wines and 20% in port wines and other fortified wines.
The recommended serving size for this wine is between 1.5 to 1.9 ounces.
So the total number of servings in a 750ml bottle would be between 6.6 and 8.5.
All of these recommended serving sizes are an estimated average, and it only applies if you are using a standard-sized wine glass. And at the end of the day, there are of course no set rules on how much wine you should pour into a wine. Just pour as much as you want to drink, and take into account your own limitations!
Is it OK to drink a bottle of wine a day?
Let’s say that you really like wine, and on average, you consume one bottle of wine a day. Would that be considered an okay amount, or is that too much? How okay is it to drink an entire bottle of wine every day? (That is, assuming the bottle of wine is the average standard size of 750ml.)
This also majorly depends on the amount of alcohol present within the wine that you are drinking. A stronger wine will have a higher overall amount of alcohol, meaning you will be reaping many more consequences from the wine alcohol content when drinking.
Meanwhile, a lighter wine will not have as much of an effect on you, as the alcohol levels will be a lot lower.
As a general rule, the World Health Organization claims that thirteen units or more are considered excessive and dangerous.
In a standard bottle of wine, you have ten units, which means you would be within the limit, and would not be considered as an alcoholic or as someone who is drinking excessively.
However, that doesn’t mean that drinking a whole bottle of red wine in a day is good and okay. In order to be healthy, alcohol must be consumed in moderation.
And as an average rule, that means one drink a day for women, and two drinks a day for men. A bottle of wine is five glasses, which therefore counts as five drinks.
