Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand, Loire, California
High acid, typically unoaked, no malolactic. One of the cleanest wine choices for histamine-sensitive drinkers.
- Congeners
- Low
- Histamines
- Low
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- High
- Tannins
- Very Low
- Sugar
- Low
- Additives
- Moderate
- Calories
- 118
- Carbs
- 3g
15.2g ethanol at 13% ABV. 106 from alcohol, 12 from carbohydrate.
In its favor
- ✓Almost always unoaked
- ✓Low histamine production
- ✓High acidity slows oxidation = sometimes less added SO₂
What to watch
- !Still notable sulfites
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.
Sauvignon Blanc is the lightest hangover-load wine in most cellars. Crisp, unfussy, low extraction.
Sauvignon Blanc questions
How many calories are in a glass of Sauvignon Blanc? ▾
About 118 calories in a 5oz glass at 13% ABV. 106 come from the alcohol and 12 from carbohydrate.
How many carbs are in Sauvignon Blanc? ▾
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 Sauvignon Blanc gluten-free? ▾
Yes. Sauvignon Blanc is made from grapes. There is no wheat, barley or rye at any stage.
Does Sauvignon Blanc give you a bad hangover? ▾
Sauvignon Blanc scores 5/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 6/10 for white wine overall. The main drivers are its sulfites.