How Many Standard Drinks Are in a Bottle of Wine?

We don’t often pause to count the things that comfort us. A bottle of wine at the end of a long day isn’t measured the way we measure bills or calories or deadlines. It pours softly, slowly, like something earned. And for many of us, it feels harmless. Familiar. Even necessary.

However, habits have a way of blurring at the edges. One glass becomes two. Two becomes a bottle. And somewhere in the middle of that slow pour, a question emerges—quiet at first, but persistent:

How much am I actually drinking? You might be surprised by the answer.

1) Defining a ‘Standard Drink’ And Why It Matters

In the U.S., a standard drink is defined by the CDC as any beverage containing 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. That translates to:

• 12 oz of beer (at ~5% alcohol),
  
• 5 oz of wine (at ~12% alcohol),
  
• or 1.5 oz of distilled spirits (at ~40% alcohol).
  
  

These aren’t pour suggestions; they’re measurement tools. Think of them like nutritional labels for alcohol. They’re how doctors, researchers, and even your liver track what’s happening in your body.

However, standard drinks aren’t the same everywhere.

• In Australia, a standard drink is only 10 grams of alcohol.
  
• In the UK, it's measured in units, where one unit equals 8 grams.
  
• Canada defines a standard drink as 13.6 grams of alcohol.
  
  

So if you’re reading a wine bottle from another country or even an online health article, it’s easy to misunderstand what’s “standard.” A single glass of chilled red wine could be one drink in one place, and almost two in another.

2) So, How Many Standard Drinks Are in a Bottle of Wine?

Let’s get to it:
A 750ml bottle of wine at 12% alcohol by volume (ABV) contains about 5 standard drinks.

That’s not a guess—it’s a calculation based on how much pure alcohol is actually in the bottle. Here's how it breaks down:

• One U.S. standard drink = 14 grams of pure alcohol
  
• A 750ml bottle = 25.36 fluid ounces
  
• One 5 oz glass of 12% ABV wine = 1 standard drink
  
  

So, 25 oz ÷ 5 oz = 5 standard drinks per bottle (give or take, depending on ABV).

However, if your wine is stronger—say, 14% or 15% ABV—you’re getting more alcohol per ounce, which means more than 5 standard drinks in the same bottle. That’s where the math shifts.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the ABV directly affects how many standard drinks are in a single bottle. (Source: niaaa.nih.gov)

3) Not All Wines Are Equal, and Alcohol Content Ranges Differs

Wine alcohol content, or ABV (alcohol by volume), can vary widely depending on the type, the grape, and even the climate where it was grown. Some wines are intentionally light and crisp. Others are bold and concentrated and pack a lot more alcohol per sip.

Here’s a breakdown based on data from the USDA Nutrient Database and The Wine Institute:

• Light white wines (9–11% ABV):
  Think Riesling, Moscato, or some Vinho Verde. These tend to have ~4 to 4.5 standard drinks in a bottle.
  
• Standard whites and reds (12–13.5% ABV):
  Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot… the usual suspects. A bottle typically holds ~5 to 5.5 standard drinks.
  
• Bolder reds (14–15% ABV):
  Zinfandel, Shiraz, some California Cabs. These wines can land closer to 5.8 to 6 standard drinks per bottle.
  
• Fortified wines (17–20% ABV):
  Like Port, Sherry, or Madeira. They’re made stronger on purpose and a 750ml bottle can hold 7 to 8+ standard drinks.
  
  

If you didn’t know these numbers before, you’re not alone. Most wine labels don’t exactly shout the ABV at you and even when they do, it's easy to miss.

4) Why This Knowledge Is Important (Without Preaching)

We’re not here to tell anyone how to live—just to offer a clearer picture of what’s really in the glass. Because the truth is, a lot of us drink wine with good intentions: to relax, to unwind, to celebrate. But sometimes, without even realizing it, what we think of as “a casual night in” can quietly slide into the CDC’s definition of binge drinking.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Binge drinking is defined as consuming 4 or more drinks for women, 5 or more drinks for men, within about 2 hours.

And A single bottle of wine can easily hit that number all on its own.

So no, this isn’t just a “problem drinker” conversation. This is for anyone who wants to stay mindful. It’s for people who value their health but also enjoy a glass or two. It’s for the ones who’ve ever finished a bottle and wondered, “Was that too much?”

5) How to Track or Estimate Your Wine Intake Without Stress

The truth is, most of us aren’t pouring 5-ounce servings at home. Sometimes it is even more if you pair it with cheese, steak or any other food pairing. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), people consistently overpour by 30–50%, especially when using larger glasses or when the wine is red. That means what feels like a modest pour often clocks in at 6 to 8 ounces—or more, which is well over a standard drink.

So how do you stay mindful without turning happy hour into a science experiment?

Here are a few low-effort ways to keep your intake in check:

• Use smaller glasses: It’s subtle, but it works. A smaller bowl naturally limits how much you pour without feeling restrictive. 
  
• Check the ABV on the label: Just a quick glance before you pour can help you mentally note if you’re drinking something light or something strong.
  
• Pour in stages: Start with half a glass. Give it 15 minutes. See how you feel before topping off.
  
• Keep mental count, not calories: Think in standard drinks, not ounces. One glass of a bold red might look like one drink—but it could be closer to one and a half.
  
• Don't eyeball it all the time: If you're curious, measure out 5 oz once—just to see what it actually looks like in your favorite glass. You might be surprised.
  
  

A little awareness can go a long way, and the best part? Once you’ve eyeballed a real serving size, you probably won’t need to think about it again.

Time for Wine—Because the Moments We Sip Matter

There are certain moments in life that ask nothing of us except to be present. A quiet evening. A shared meal. A well-earned pause between the noise.

That’s why we offer more than just bottles. We curate everything from light, floral whites to deep, complex reds, and even fortified wines for those who prefer their finish a little bolder. Every bottle we offer is meant to hold intention.

And when you want to share that moment with someone else? We make it personal. Our custom gift wraps let you turn a simple gesture into something unforgettable.

Whether you're picking up a bottle for yourself or wrapping up a memory for someone else—we’re here to make the choice easy, beautiful, and just right for the moment.

Explore our wines, discover your favorite, or let us help you wrap the perfect gift.