Calculating Wine Nutritional Values: Energy Value in kJ and kcal per 100 ml
For the e-label, every wine requires a nutritional table per 100 ml. Most wineries use the values from the laboratory report or from the calculator of their winegrowers' association. It is still worth understanding the calculation once — then a typo will be spotted before it appears on a thousand labels.
Where the energy value comes from
In dry wine, over nine-tenths of the energy value comes from the alcohol. Sugar and organic acids contribute little, fat and protein practically nothing. Food law sets fixed conversion factors for this.
| Component | kJ per gram | kcal per gram |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol (Ethanol) | 29 | 7 |
| Carbohydrates (Sugar) | 17 | 4 |
| Organic acids | 13 | 3 |
| Polyols (e.g. Glycerin) | 10 | 2.4 |
| Protein | 17 | 4 |
| Fat | 37 | 9 |
Step 1: Alcohol in grams
The label states the alcohol in volume percent. For the calculation, you need grams per 100 ml. Ethanol weighs around 0.789 grams per millilitre. A wine with 12.5% vol therefore contains 12.5 × 0.789 = 9.86 grams of alcohol per 100 ml.
Step 2: Sugar and acid
Residual sugar and total acidity are usually in the analysis report in grams per litre. Dividing by ten gives the value per 100 ml. 2 g/l residual sugar is 0.2 g per 100 ml, 6 g/l acid is 0.6 g per 100 ml.
The calculation example
| Component | Amount per 100 ml | kJ | kcal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol (12.5% vol) | 9.86 g | 286.0 | 69.0 |
| Sugar (2 g/l) | 0.2 g | 3.4 | 0.8 |
| Acid (6 g/l) | 0.6 g | 7.8 | 1.8 |
| Total | 297 | 72 |
The label would therefore read "E = 297 kJ / 72 kcal" per 100 ml. The acid shifts the result by a few kilojoules — if you omit it, you end up at 289 kJ. Both occur; what matters is that you use the same method as your association or laboratory.
Carbohydrates and sugar
The table lists carbohydrates and below that "of which sugar". Legally, polyols such as glycerin also count as carbohydrates. This is why the carbohydrate value in the report is often higher than the sugar value. Values below 0.5 g may be stated as "< 0.5 g".
Rounding
- Energy value: to whole kJ and kcal
- Carbohydrates, sugar: to one decimal place, below 0.5 g as "< 0.5 g"
- Fat, protein, salt: usually replaced in wine by the statement "Contains negligible amounts of..."
Transferring to the e-label
In the Same-QR template "Wine e-label", you enter the finished values: energy value in kJ and kcal, carbohydrates, sugar. The page displays them as a table per 100 ml and automatically writes the statement about negligible amounts. No calculation takes place there — the values remain exactly as you take them from the report.
Frequently asked questions
A dry wine with 12.5% vol has around 72 kcal per 100 ml. An eighth (125 ml) is therefore around 90 kcal, a quarter around 180 kcal.
No. Calculated values from known analysis data are permissible. You should keep the basis — report, calculator or table values.
Mostly due to glycerin or acid: Some calculations take them into account, others do not. Stick to one method for all wines.
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