If you’re one of the 1.1 million Weight Watchers users around the world, odds are you’re also a wine drinker. According to the company, the second most-tracked beverage on Weight Watchers is wine. It comes as no surprise that Weight Watchers is now launching a low-calorie wine in partnership with winemaker Truett-Hurst.
The new brand, Cense, is currently rolling out nationwide with a 2016 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. Five ounces of this wine set you back only 85 calories, compared to about 120 calories for a “regular” calorie glass. One glass of Cense equates to three Weight Watchers points.
Saving 35 calories might not seem like a big deal. In fact, a glass of Champagne or dry Riesling has only 90 calories, with some brut Champagnes containing even less. So, you might actually only be saving as few as 5 calories with a wine like Cense.
The true appeal of a wine like Cense is for those who want to have specific varietals, such as Sauvignon Blanc, while staying in the low calorie zone. Major competitor Skinny Girl Wines clocks in at 100 calories per glass, Skinny Vine at 95, and Flight Song by Brancott Estates at 88. Compared to these wines, Cense is about as low as it gets.
The only widely available products that have significantly fewer than 85 calories are cutting alcohol levels even further. In the E.U., these technically cannot be called wines and need to be called “wine-based drinks” because they have less than 8.5% ABV. One example is Blossom Hill’s Vie, which has about 45 calories and 5.5% alcohol.
The next logical question is, does a low calorie wine even taste good? Weight Watchers is betting that the answer can be yes. It took two years for Truett-Hurst and Weight Watchers to develop Cense Wines. It uses a technology that keeps flavor compounds in the wine, while removing some alcohol to help reduce calories. The resulting Sauvignon Blanc boasts lemon-lime and grapefruit flavors, crisp acidity, and still retains a 9.6% ABV.
Of course, the 85 calorie count is only as good as the portion control. Those looking to adhere to serving sizes can actually buy a Weight Watchers Portion Control Wine Glass with discreet etchings for 5, 6, and 8-oz pours.
Cense Wines is currently available online at $15 per bottle, and will be rolling out across 35 states. Weight Watchers fans can eventually also look forward to a low-calorie rosé and red blend from Cense. Visit Cense Wines to learn more.