Pinot Grigio
Italy, Oregon, Alsace
Neutral, light white. Mass-market versions often see additional sulfite dosing for shelf stability.
- Congeners
- Low
- Histamines
- Low
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- High
- Tannins
- Very Low
- Sugar
- Low
- Additives
- Moderate
- Calories
- 114
- Carbs
- 3g
14.6g ethanol at 12.5% ABV. 102 from alcohol, 12 from carbohydrate.
In its favor
- ✓Very neutral flavor profile
- ✓Low body, low tannin
What to watch
- !High sulfite content typical
- !Mass-market versions may have residual sugar adjustments
Factor by factor
Congeners Low ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Low ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols Low ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites High ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins Very Low ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Moderate ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Pinot Grigio is unobtrusive, including in its chemistry. Sulfites are the only meaningful concern.
Pinot Grigio questions
How many calories are in a glass of Pinot Grigio? ▾
About 114 calories in a 5oz glass at 12.5% ABV. 102 come from the alcohol and 12 from carbohydrate.
How many carbs are in Pinot Grigio? ▾
3g of carbohydrate per 5oz glass. The producer does not publish a sugar figure, and in beer most of that carbohydrate is unfermented starch and dextrins rather than sugar.
Is Pinot Grigio gluten-free? ▾
Yes. Pinot Grigio is made from grapes. There is no wheat, barley or rye at any stage.
Does Pinot Grigio give you a bad hangover? ▾
Pinot Grigio scores 5/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 6/10 for white wine overall. The main drivers are its sulfites.