Alcoholic beverage, wine, cooking
FDC 169070tsp (5 g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Density 5 · -24 vs Beverages medianCooking wine scores 5 of 100 on the Nutrient Density Score, a Low-band placement at rank 48 of 60 in Beverages. It has no standout vitamin or mineral levels to report, its profile shaped mainly by the salt added during production to make it unpalatable as a drink.
It's used by the tablespoon or splash in braises, deglazing pans, and reducing sauces rather than drunk on its own, which is exactly why salt was added in the first place. That addition shows up clearly in the numbers: 626 mg of sodium per 100 g, high enough to matter in a dish already seasoned with salt; carbonated beverage, chocolate-flavored soda is a listed alternative that scores higher in the same category, though it serves a very different purpose in the kitchen.
See how this score is calculated, build a plate around alcoholic beverage, wine, or compare it with another food.
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 50 kcal | 3% |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 626 mg | 27% |
| Carbohydrate | 6.3 g | 2% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 1.6 g | |
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% |
| Potassium | 88 mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 9 mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.4 mg | 2% |
| Magnesium | 10 mg | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg | 0% |
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 3 kcal | 0% |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 31 mg | 1% |
| Carbohydrate | 0.32 g | 0% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 0.08 g | |
| Protein | 0.03 g | 0% |
| Potassium | 4.4 mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 0.45 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.02 mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 0.5 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg | 0% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
FDC 169070Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Versus the beverages median
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
More nutrient-dense swaps
Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.
Carbonated beverage, chocolate-flavored sodaDensity 5 vs 5Limeade, frozen concentrate, prepared with waterDensity 6 vs 5Lemonade, frozen concentrate, pinkDensity 6 vs 5Original analysis by NutriVerdict
In the kitchen and how to use it
Cooking wine is a wine product with salt added, made specifically for the kitchen rather than the glass, and shelved near the vinegar and condiments rather than in the wine aisle. Cooks use it to deglaze a hot pan after searing meat, build the base of braises and sauces like coq au vin or beef bourguignon, add depth to a risotto or pan reduction, or marinate proteins before cooking.
It keeps well unopened at room temperature and stays stable for a good while after opening, since the added salt acts as a preservative. That same salt means cooking wine is notably high in sodium, at 626mg per 100 grams, so dishes built around it, especially reduced sauces where the liquid concentrates further, are worth salting with a lighter hand. Many cooks prefer a splash of regular drinking wine instead when they want more control over both sodium and flavor, since cooking wine is also fairly low in calories at 50 per 100 grams and low in sugar at 1.55 grams per 100 grams.
Frequently asked questions about alcoholic beverage, wine
How many calories are in cooking wine?
50 calories per 100 grams.
Is cooking wine high in sodium?
Yes, it contains 626mg of sodium per 100 grams because salt is added as a preservative, so it's worth salting dishes lightly when using it.
What is cooking wine used for?
It's used to deglaze pans, build sauces like coq au vin, and add depth to reductions and risottos.