The Government last week announced that they have underestimated the number of calories we can consume in a day by up to 16%. That could allow up to another 400 calories per day for a reasonably active man.

We all know that wine contains calories. But how many and is it responsible for all too often seeing sights like this on British high streets?

But what do these precious 400 calories mean to the dedicated wine drinker?

Well, I’ll let you do the sums for yourself, but to calculate the number of calories the following formula comes in handy:

% ABV of wine x size of glass in ml x 0.054 = Approximate number of calories

So, for example:

13% alcohol x 125 ml glass x 0.054 = c. 88 calories.

We can therefore expect up to four small glasses of Aussie Shiraz extra per day to use up our new calorie intake. Oh, but this would be 7 units of alcohol – and that would be binge drinking.  So, not only can we expect our waistline to expand, but our liver to deteriorate too.  

Ah well, all the more reason to maintain the moderate drinking. It makes sense.

Or better still, drink something low alcohol, like these gems:

Dr Loosen Berkasteller Lay Riesling Kabinett 2008 - 54 Calories per 125 ml glass

Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett 2008 - 61 Calories per 125 ml glass