Low Sugar vs Sugar Free Wines: Understanding the Difference

Low Sugar vs Sugar Free Wines: Understanding the Difference

There is evidence that wine has been around for 8,000 years. Since the first wine was enjoyed out of clay pots, it has been made the same way: grape juice is fermented by yeast to produce wine. But, today there are so many variables in wine, like additives, industrial processing, and, of course, sugar. 


The amount of sugar in wine is important to consider, especially because certain wines can have a surprising amount of sugar. Sugar in wine is hard to taste since it is hidden behind the acidity of grapes. But, because many individuals prefer sweeter drinks, most wine sold today has sugar in it. 


However, it is possible compare low sugar vs sugar-free wine as an alternative. The secret is in the natural, chemical process of fermentation. When a wine's fermentation is fully complete, it can lead the yeast to convert all the sugar into alcohol, leaving little to no excess sugar..

Low Sugar vs Sugar Free Wine

What is Low Sugar Wine?


Sugar in wine is called “residual sugar,” because it is a residue left after fermentation. Low sugar wine is wine that has a low or minimal residual sugar content compared to a regular glass of wine. 


While there are no official definitions for sugar content in wines, a liter of wine can have between 1 and 120 grams of sugar depending on the wine type. This is a broad range that includes sweet wines and dry wines. Most wines on store shelves have between 1-10 grams per Liter. There is no formal regulation on what can be called a low sugar wine. When searching for a low sugar wine your best bet is to search for a dry wine which can boast between 1 and 11 grams of sugar per liter. 


What is Sugar Free Wine?


Sugar free wine is wine that has less than 1 gram of sugar per liter of wine. 


As mentioned above fermentation is the determining factor in a wine’s sugar content. As wine ferments, yeasts convert sugar to alcohol. Eventually, the yeasts will consume the sugar, leaving low if any residual sugars. This process is called full fermentation and is the most natural way to remove the sugar from the final product. 

How Does Dry Wine Fit Into the Picture?

Dry is a technical term that can be interchanged with low sugar or sugar-free, depending on the amount of sugar. Some wine companies may add sulfites  to prevent full fermentation and preserve some residual sugars. When this is done, the resulting wine can contain some sugar; when full fermentation occurs, and the wine is dry, it is sugar-free. 


With the continued rise in popularity of keto and other low-carbohydrate diets, sugar-free and low sugar wines are gaining traction. More and more individuals are becoming interested in their wine glass's carbohydrate and calorie content. 

Benefits of Low Sugar vs Sugar Free Wines

Wine is a household staple for many of us, and if you are watching your sugar intake, you should consider everything you consume, even wine. There are lots of health benefits that come from reducing your sugar intake, including reducing your risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Consuming less sugar also can help balancing moods, increase energy levels, and improve sleep.  

The Dry Farm Wines Difference

Just like you, we care about what we put in our bodies. That's why we founded Dry Farm Wines - a completely different approach to wine. Switch to organic wines that are naturally sugar-free and lower in alcohol (less than 12.5% ABV).


Many other wines position themselves as natural, but less than 0.01% of wines meet our strict criteria. We vet every grower, taste every wine, and ensure every wine is lab-tested. 


We take the guesswork out of choosing wine by conveniently curating pure,  small-quantity wines and delivering them to your doorstep on a schedule that’s right for you.


Switch to Sugar Free, Pure Natural Wine



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