Wine and Ketogenic diet – I would like to share something with you. A month ago, I decided to embark on the keto lifestyle. Short for ketogenic diet, this eating plan is all about reducing your carbs and increasing your fats to get your body to use other fat as a form of energy, says Scott Keatley, R.D., of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. While everyone’s body and needs are slightly different, that typically translates to: 60-75% of your calories from fat, 15-30% of your calories from protein, and 5-10% of your calories from carbs. It is not for everyone but i am already reaping the benefits: weight loss, better mood and improved concentration. In the course of a month, I have lost 16 pounds and feel better than ever.
Wine and Ketogenic diet
Many friends have asked me if you can have wine on a Keto diet. Generally speaking, the answer is yes but how much can you have will depend on the residual sugar of a bottle of wine. Residual sugar implies the leftover sugar after fermentation stops, or is stopped, but it can also result from the addition of unfermented must or plain sugar. It is usually measured in grams of sugar per litre of wine, often abbreviated to g/l or g/L.
The site winefolly.com states that wines range from 0 to about 220 grams per litre sugar, depending on the style. A standard glass of dry wine (150ml) can have between 3-4 carbs per serving. Generally speaking, the cheaper the wine, the more residual sugar it will contain. If you are considering following the Keto regime, you should favour wine in the $20-$30 price bracket. The SAQ site is very useful because it shows the amount of residual sugar per bottle on quite a number of wine references.
At the end what counts is how you manage your carb budget. I enjoy very easily 3-4 wine glasses a day with pleasure but I am very strict with my odd carb intake. A colleague that expressed interest on the keto diet, told me that she will not consider doing it because it is too restrictive. At the end, it is all about making choices. Do you prefer that big slice of bread or 2-3 wine glasses.
Here are some suggestions of Keto friendly wines to accompany your diet experience. Next to my tasting notes, I listed the residual sugar amount and the carb value in grams, assuming you are having a 150 ml/5 oz serving
Please drink in moderation and before embarking on a Keto lifestyle, please consult your family doctor to get thumbs up.
Whites
Tokaj Oremus Mandolas 2016 ( Tokai, Hungary). SAQ # 10756400, $30.25
Enticing nuances of flint, apricots with a touch of endives, acacia and honeysuckle. Zesty and vibrant with a round mouthfeel and clean lingering finale. Residual sugar: 3.2 g/L. Carbs per 150 ml: 1.9
Domaine Zind Humbrecht Riesling Turckheim 2016 ( Alsace, France). SAQ # 11461101, $27.10
Exotic bouquet. Lychee with jasmine blossom water. With aeration a note of honey and petrol emerges. On the palate, it is creamy and fluid with notes of white pepper and verbenal leaf in the finale. Residual sugar: 4.7 g/L. Carbs per 150 ml: 2.82
Domaine des Salices Viognier 2017 ( Languedoc, France). SAQ # 10265061, $14.75
Bright aromas of tropical fruits with a quissentential floral note typical of the Viognier variety. Medium plus acidity , round and very zen alike. Residual sugar: 1.3g/L. Carbs per 150 ml: 0.78
Reds:
J.L. Chave Selection Offerus 2015 ( Rhone Valley, France). SAQ # 10230862, $41.50
Textbook Syrah varietal aromas: Leather and gamey nuances.Redolent as well of confit violets, spearmint and black pepper. On the mouth, potent and structure but quite balanced. Will develop nicely for the next decade in your cellar. Residual sugar: 2.5 g/L. Carbs per 150ml: 1.5
Vina Montgras Akel Grenache Syrah Carignan 2017 ( Central Valley, Chile). SAQ # 13730740, $15.95
Attractive aromas of red berries, lead pencil shaving with dried rose, violet and peonies petals. Round and very pleasant with firm tannins and a juicy acidity. A new wine from MontGras available in the Quebec market. Quality is very high for the reasonable price. Buy Residual sugar: 1.8g/L. Carbs per 150 ml: 1.08
Château de Carolle 2016 ( Bordeaux, France). SAQ # 11401547, $19.95
Terrific nose of graphite, cassis and roasted red bell pepper. On the mouth, rich and decadent, polished in the mid palate with silky tannins. Best vintage ever of this celebrated Bordeaux producer. Buy. Residual Sugar: 1.7g/L. Carbs per 150 ml: 1.02
