Alcohol % Volume

[ruthandsam]

Can someone explain the physics behind this please: 6+ shots of Gin or Vodka at 40% vol = sober... half a bottle of Red Wine at 13% vol = drunk....? I know I should know the answer or reason because my son told me a year ago but I can't get my head round it. Many thanks.

[homedeeth]

it can depend on what you've eaten, when you've eaten it and how big you are. there are a few contributing factors that determine how drunk you feel

if you've had nothing to eat all day and the first thing to pass your lips is half a bottle of wine, then it's no wonder you feel drunk

[warpig3]

I take your point homedeeth but that is not what ruthandsam is asking. I only interject because I am interested in the answer, so apologies on that front.

When I was drinking I could drink a bottle and a half of wine and be plastered yet when I was drinking vodka and coke I could drink it all night without totallty losing the plot. so the comparison (I think) would be ;

Bottle and half of wine = 8-10 units = plastered
vodka and coke x 10 = 8-10 units = drunk but still in control

[ruthandsam]

Thanks guys, we are all correct. Of course it is to do with units and also how the alcohol content is presented on the bottle so as not to make a mistake.

Alcohol by volume (ABV) = how much alcohol is contained as a % of the total volume, eg,13% vol of 75cl

compared to:

Alcoholic proof = 2 x ABV
Alcohol by weight (ABW) = 4/5 of ABV

Hope this helps.

[warpig3]

Cheers ruthandsam, well maybe not cheers, its a bit early!