The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet (one of the healthiest in the world) for our health. It's worth saying that wine, consumed in moderation, is part of our Mediterranean identity and is also an ally in our diet, as it helps protect against various diseases.

So, one might wonder, does wine contribute significantly to the calorie count in our diet? The answer lies primarily in its alcohol content. The caloric origin of wine arises from carbohydrates released during the fermentation process, where sugars are transformed into alcohol by yeast. With this in mind, a 75cl bottle of wine contains around 560 kilocalories. Wines with higher alcohol content will provide more calories.

As a general rule, alcohol provides 7 calories per gram, but not all types of wine follow a standard alcohol content, although generally, it does not exceed 15 degrees. It's also worth noting that the calorie content of wine varies depending on the type of wine. Considering a quantity of 100ml, we can generally say:

• White and rosé wines contain between 110 and 170 kcal.
• Sparkling wines range between 120 and 160 kcal.
• Red wines provide between 120 and 180 kcal.
• Sweet wines usually have between 190 and 290 kcal.

While wine calories are considered empty calories from a nutritional standpoint, as they do not come from any nutrient, some studies have associated benefits with moderate wine consumption. These include cardiovascular improvements, reduced blood pressure, and a certain cellular rejuvenation. Recent studies have also shown that a glass of wine a day increases basal metabolism, meaning the ingested calories are immediately converted into energy, rather than being stored as fat in our bodies.

These benefits are mainly due to the presence of polyphenols, especially in red wine. For example, resveratrol, a natural antioxidant found in grape skins, has anti-inflammatory and lipid-regulating effects. Antioxidants also reduce oxidative stress in the body, a determining factor in the development of many diseases.

As you can see, by maintaining a balanced diet within our Mediterranean Diet, we can include wine consumption (always in moderation), as the health benefits outweigh the calories it provides.

As an example, a glass of wine (100 ml) of our Azabache DOCa Rioja Crianza Vendimia Seleccionada would provide around 86 kcal.