Here's How Much Alcohol Is in Wine, From Lowest to Highest

Did you know that wine alcohol content varies by brand and type of wine? Knowing how much alcohol is in each wine bottle can be beneficial for estimating the wine's flavor profile and, of course, tracking how much alcohol you're consuming. The wine alcohol percentage can also help you know how long your wine will last so you can store your wine appropriately.

Though alcohol content varies from wine to wine, in general, you'll find that sparkling and rosé wines are on the lower end of the spectrum, white wines tend to be in the middle, and red wines tend to have a higher alcohol percentage. We spoke with a wine expert who helped us understand more about the potency of various wines. Here's a guide to wines with very low, moderately low, high, and very high alcohol content. Cheers to whatever style suits you!

What Is ABV?

Alcohol levels in wine are directly correlated with the amount of sugar that develops in the grapes at harvest time; the higher the sugar levels, the higher the potential alcohol. Higher sugar levels don'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.

Key Factors That Determine Alcohol Content

The average glass of wine contains about 11% to 13% alcohol, but bottles range from as little as 5.5% ABV to as much as around 20% ABV. By comparison, a standard beer can contain about 5% alcohol and a 1 1/2 ounce shot of distilled spirits can contain about 40% alcohol. There are a few key factors in determining both the sugar content of the grapes and the amount of alcohol in your bottle.

• Style (or varietal) of wine: The variety of grapes used to make a wine can determine the grape's sugar content and affect the alcohol content of that wine. Some grapes are inherently sweeter, leading to higher alcohol levels.
• Climate: Grapes grown in warmer climates can be harvested later, allowing them to fully ripen. Because ripe grapes have a higher sugar content, wines made with riper grapes can have a higher alcohol content.
• Fermentation process: During fermentation, sugar is converted into alcohol. Manufacturers can control the amount of sugar that's converted into alcohol, affecting the alcohol level of each wine type.
  

Sparkling Wine Alcohol Content

Fizzing with bubbles, sparkling wine refers to any carbonated wine. Though Champagne is probably the most popular, sparkling wine can be white, red, or rosé.

Rosé Wine Alcohol Content

Right in between red and white wine, rosé wine is pink in color. Instead of fermenting for weeks with red grape skins, rosé wine comes into contact with the grape skins for a few hours, giving it a lighter hue.

White Wine Alcohol Content

Made with white grapes, white wine is not fermented with grape skins. By removing the skins before the fermentation process, less color is transferred to the wine.

Red Wine Alcohol Content

Unlike white wine, red wine is made with dark-colored grapes, such as red or black. The skin and seeds are left in during fermentation, providing red wine its rich color.

Makers Are Increasing Wine Alcohol Content

According to experts, the alcohol content of wine has spiked considerably over the years. "There's pressure on winemakers from critics for intense flavors, and that means riper grapes," explains wine expert Marnie Old. "So during the past few years, winemakers have been leaving grapes on the vines well after they would typically be picked, [translating] 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 will be much more potent than a traditional one from a cooler region, like Germany.

How Does Alcohol Content Affect the Taste of Wine?

The alcohol content in wine can affect its feel and perceived flavor. Though a wine's flavor can depend on an individual's genetics and perception of the wine's qualities, generally, lower-alcohol wines tend to be sweeter because of sugar leftover from fermentation, and higher-alcohol wines have a bolder, more bitter taste.

The wine's body and feel can also depend on its alcohol content. Those with a lower ABV level are lighter than wines with higher ABV levels, which feel fuller and heavier. Additionally, higher-alcohol wines may feel warm in the mouth and seem less balanced than those with lower alcohol levels. That's because the higher the alcohol content, the more the wine's acidity and sweetness are affected, which combine to create a balanced feel of the wine. Therefore, 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.