Wine energy value calculator
Calculate the energy value of wine in kJ and kcal per 100 ml from its alcohol, sugar, organic acid and polyol content, using the conversion factors of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011.
How is the energy value of wine calculated?
The energy value of wine is calculated in three steps: convert each component to grams per 100 ml, multiply it by its energy conversion factor, and add the results. Protein, fat and salt occur in wine only in trace amounts and are left out.
- Alcohol: strength in % vol. × 0.789 (the density of ethanol in g/ml) = grams of alcohol per 100 ml.
- Sugars, organic acids and polyols: content in g/l ÷ 10 = grams per 100 ml.
- Energy: grams of each component × its factor from the table below, then the sum.
Which conversion factors apply to wine?
Four conversion factors from Annex XIV to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 apply to wine: for alcohol, carbohydrates (sugars), organic acids and polyols. Alcohol always accounts for most of the energy value.
| Component | kJ per gram | kcal per gram |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 29 | 7 |
| Sugars | 17 | 4 |
| Organic acids | 13 | 3 |
| Polyols (mainly glycerol) | 10 | 2.4 |
Example: a dry wine at 12.5 % vol.
A dry wine at 12.5 % vol. with 2 g/l of sugar, 6 g/l of acids and 7 g/l of glycerol, step by step:
| Component | g / 100 ml | kJ | kcal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 9.86 | 285.94 | 69.02 |
| Sugars | 0.20 | 3.40 | 0.80 |
| Organic acids | 0.60 | 7.80 | 1.80 |
| Polyols (mainly glycerol) | 0.70 | 7.00 | 1.68 |
| Total | 304.14 | 73.30 |
E (100 ml) = 304 kJ / 73 kcal — on the label the energy value is given in whole numbers.
Where do the input values come from?
The input values come from the laboratory analysis of the wine: actual alcoholic strength, residual sugar and total acidity are standard items of an analysis report. Glycerol is tested less often; if you do not know it, leave the field empty and the result will be slightly low.