NEW YORK, Feb 22 — US TV celebrity Bethenny Frankel, who has parlayed her reality TV fame into a successful low-calorie cocktail brand for women, has announced the launch of a new wine range.

Skinnygirl Wine will debut in April, and comes in red, blush and white. Each serving is said to have 100 calories, 15 per cent lower than most other brands, Frankel says on her website.

But as Wine Spectator points out, the difference is negligible considering that the average glass of regular wine clocks in at about 100 calories. Overall, depending on the type of wine — red, white or fortified — the calorie content can range between 125 and 150 calories per serving.

Skinnygirl wines will be made from California-grown grapes by the Winery Exchange and priced at US$15 (RM45) each.

According to the wine magazine, the red will be made primarily with Syrah, the white a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, and the rosé blend comprised of Grenache and Syrah.

Frankel’s target market are health-conscious women aged 30 to 39.

Frankel is best known among US audiences for her appearance on Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New York City”.

Skinnygirl first debuted as a low-calorie margarita mix in 2009. Last year, the beverage brand was accused of misleading and false advertising and slapped with a US$10 million class-action lawsuit.

Though the cocktail mix claimed to have only two ingredients — agave nectar and tequila — retailer Whole Foods yanked the drink from shelves after it was revealed that the beverage contained the potentially toxic synthetic preservative sodium benzoate.

Frankel’s not the only reality star to come out with her own wine label. In fact, she’s not the only “Real Housewives of New York City” star to come out with her own vino.

Fellow housewife Ramona Singer released a Ramona Pinot Grigio last year, made from Italian grapes. — Relaxnews