For wine lovers, there’s nothing quite like a perfectly poured glass of red wine. But if you’ve ever paused mid-sip and asked yourself, “How much sugar is actually in this?” you’re not alone. We were curious too, so we turned to the experts to find out more.

According to Gavin Lavi Sacks, professor of food science at Cornell University, the amount of sugar in your wine naturally depends on the type. “Wines that belong in the sweet or dessert category will have much higher concentrations of sugar,” explained Sacks. “For example, the sugar concentration in Port can [exceed] 100 grams per liter.” That’s like 25 teaspoons of sugar in one bottle! However, Sacks notes that the serving size for these wines is “typically less than a table wine.”

If you’re not a fan of sweet reds and always assumed that a dry red wine, like a Merlot, is virtually sugar-free, think again. “In the U.S., the term ‘dry’ is not regulated, but to most winemakers, ‘dry’ will mean 1 to 4 grams per liter of residual sugars,” says Sacks. To put that into perspective: a 1-liter bottle of Coca-Cola contains about 106 grams of sugar. In contrast, even the “highest sugar” dry wines contain just 4 grams per liter, roughly equivalent to one sugar cube dissolved in the entire bottle. So while dry red wine isn’t completely sugar-free, it still contains far less sugar than your average soda. A win for red wine lovers!

Read more: 20 Popular Value White Wines, Ranked Worst To Best

What Really Makes A Wine Sweet?

Many assume white and sparkling wines contain more sugar than reds, but according to Oliver Winery winemaker Allison Meschter, it all comes down to how the wine is made. “During fermentation, yeast converts grape sugar into alcohol,” Meschter told Tasting Table. “By using temperature-controlled tanks, we can manage the fermentation rate, which not only affects sugar conversion but also helps preserve the wine’s fruit character.”

That level of control allows winemakers to either let fermentation run its course, resulting in a drier wine, or stop it early to retain some natural sweetness. Meschter, Oliver Winery’s first female winemaker, says one of their winery’s most popular offerings is a sweet red wine that’s “crafted from 100% real fruit with no added flavors, colors, or high-fructose corn syrup.” So, the good news for sweet wine lovers, who are health-conscious, is that most wineries rely on the natural sugars in grapes to create that sweetness. Planning to crack open a bottle of sweet red wine this summer? Meschter suggests serving it chilled. As for the perfect pairing, she recommends the summer classics like burgers and BBQ. “The wine’s smooth, fruity taste balances out the bold, savory flavors of these foods,” she says.

So next time you’re browsing the wine aisle, don’t judge a bottle’s sugar content by category — it’s the winemaking method that truly matters. But if you ask us, the real goal is simple: unwind and enjoy what’s in your glass.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.