Wine vs. calories and carbohydrates
By By Stan Torgerson / wine columnist
May 26, 2004
You love wine but you'd love a slim figure even more. You debate. To diet or not to diet. To include a glass of wine or to shun it as a source of calories and carbohydrates to be avoided at all costs.
This can be serious stuff. There are members of my own family on the low carbohydrate diet. They struggle with it but they swear it works. As for me, I'll never know. I belong to the "push away from the table" school of weight loss. I know that works.
This issue has become so up front and personal that the Wine Spectator magazine recently did some research. In an article written by Dana Nigro she reports the attitude of both the federal government and California authorities. That state as the principle source of American wines has the most to lose.
First, let's define the official serving size. According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines published in 2000, a serving size of wine is 5 fluid ounces which happens to be the actual size of an average restaurant pour. A bottle of wine contains about 27 ounces of wine so if you consume that wine at home you're theoretically talking about five pours to a bottle. The fact is, however, most of us do not pour that amount at home for sipping or even at the dinner table. Four ounces is more likely.
Nevertheless a 5 ounce pour of wine contains about 100 calories but that can vary by the type of wine and the alcohol content. Do not accept as fact the phrase "light" or "lite" without the actual figure showing on the label, which it rarely does.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau made that ruling as well as another. They will not, they said, allow the use of the terms "effective carbohydrates" and "net carbohydrates" which are intended to refer to the carbohydrates that have a demonstrated effect on blood sugar levels. The TTB believes there is not scientific consensus on the terms' validity and they could be misleading.
Last December, two consumer advocacy groups, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the National Consumers League, petitioned the TTB for a standardized label on all alcoholic beverages that includes information on serving size, alcohol content, calories and ingredients. Of course, alcohol content is noted on labels already. A wine label is also required to disclose the presence of sulfites if the wine contains them.
George Hacker, director of CSPI's Alcoholic Policies Project says more explicit labels would make it easier for people to understand how much they are consuming.
A spokesman for the wine industry in an article written by Nick Fauchald indicates his group is opposed to labels requiring specific information.
At this point the decision about wine and carbohydrates is still a personal thing. As for my family of dieters, they avoid bread, pasta and other known foods that are high in carbohydrates. But they still drink wine and they are losing weight.
Next tasting
A reminder the wine and pate tasting is scheduled for Thursday evening at Northwood Country Club. It is open to the public. While we have a large number of reservations there is still space available. Call 482-0930 if you wish to attend. Seven French pats will be served, paired with the appropriate wines. These are marvelous pates, widely different in their styles and flavors, never available in Meridian. If you've not been exposed to these imported delicacies you will love the experience. They are wonderful.
