How Much Wine Is Too Much? A Clear Guide

You’re home after a long workday and pour yourself a glass of wine before dinner. While sipping, you think, “Why not another?” Then, “One more can’t hurt, right?” Suddenly, you’re on your third glass. Is three too many?

What counts as “too much” wine depends on several factors, but there’s a point where it’s too much for anyone. If you’re wondering about your wine intake, read on for clarity.

Quick Overview of Wine

Wine is made by crushing grapes, fermenting them, and allowing them to mature before filtering. During fermentation, substances like histamines, sulfites, sugar, and acids form. Red and white wines are produced differently, and varieties vary in alcohol content.

While wine may offer some health benefits in small amounts, the risks of excessive drinking far outweigh them. But what defines “too much” or “in moderation”? We’ll explain those terms after covering how much alcohol is in wine.

How Much Alcohol Is in Wine?

A standard drink of wine is five ounces. However, we measure intake using “alcohol units,” which quantify pure alcohol. One alcohol unit is 10 mL or 8 grams of pure alcohol—the amount an average adult can process in an hour.

A standard 5-ounce (150 mL) glass of 12% ABV wine contains 1.8 alcohol units. So, one glass in an hour is nearly twice what your body can process effectively, depending on gender and body size.

Calculating Alcohol Units

What if your wine isn’t 12% ABV? For example, to find the alcohol units in a 750 mL bottle at 17% ABV:

• Multiply the volume in mL by ABV: 750 × 17 = 12,750
• Divide by 1,000: 12,750 ÷ 1,000 = 12.75
• Result: 12.75 alcohol units in the bottle

One 150 mL glass of this wine would be 2.5 units—more than recommended per hour for most people. Not all wines are equal; “one glass” can contain more alcohol than you think.

How Much Wine Is “Safe”?

The safest amount is a small glass (125 mL or less) of 12% ABV wine, consumed over at least an hour. Your liver takes about an hour to break down one alcohol unit, so sip slowly, ideally with a meal.

How Much Wine Is “Moderate Drinking”?

Moderate drinking is up to one drink daily for women and two for men. In alcohol units, that’s no more than two for women and four for men weekly. Women should have no more than seven units per week, men no more than 14.

You can’t “save up” units for a weekend binge. If drinking stronger wine, have less to stay moderate.

How Much Wine Is “Too Much”?

Three glasses of 12% ABV wine equal 6.3 alcohol units—over three times the moderate level, edging into heavy drinking, especially with other drinks earlier.

Heavy drinking is eight or more weekly drinks for women, 15 for men. Binge drinking is four or more daily for women, five for men. Three glasses aren’t harmless if drunk quickly; spacing them over hours with food helps your liver cope.

Signs of Heavy Drinking

Your body signals when you’ve had too much:

• Slurred speech
• Trouble walking
• Blurry vision
• Memory gaps the next day

If these occur, stop and drink water. Regular signs like frequent hangovers, guilt, or finishing bottles quickly may indicate dependence.

Risks of Drinking Too Much Wine

Wine, like all alcohol, carries health risks.

Short-Term Risks

• Injury: Impaired coordination increases fall risk.
• Decreased inhibitions: May lead to risky behaviors like unprotected sex or drunk driving.
• Heartburn: Wine’s acidity can cause acid reflux; white wines are particularly problematic.

Long-Term Risks

• Liver problems: Alcohol strains the liver.
• Diabetes: Wine’s sugar content (1+ gram per glass, up to 8 in sweet wines) can contribute to diabetes, especially with a high-sugar diet.
• Tooth stains: Red wine’s color and acidity stain teeth.

How To Set Limits With Wine

To cut back or quit:

• Track your intake: Note how many glasses you have. Quitemate offers features to log drinks and understand habits.
• Limit purchases: Buy small amounts and ration.
• Check the label: Opt for lower ABV wines.
• Spread it out: If having 14+ units weekly, spread over at least three days with alcohol-free days.
• Pair with food: Sip slowly with meals to balance alcohol.
• Use a smaller glass: Smaller glasses reduce intake compared to large ones.

With these tips, you can enjoy wine mindfully and in moderation.

There’s Nothing To Wine About

Now you know how to define and track “too much” wine. Use these tools to monitor your intake, and always listen to your body’s signals.