Even if you missed out on participating in Dry January, fret not. It’s never too late to explore non-alcoholic (NA) wine, especially now with the growing abundance of flavorful offerings. But, what exactly are non-alcoholic wines? And how do you find the perfect one? Check out our simple guide to this expanding category and bottles that consumers love below.
What Are Non-Alcoholic Wines?
There are two main types of non-alcoholic wines. There are wine alternatives, which are made to resemble wine in flavor and texture, but never contain alcohol, and dealcoholized wines, which are traditionally-made wines with their alcohol removed.
With regard to the latter, according to the Food and Drug Administration, wines labeled “alcohol-removed” and “dealcoholized” are only used when a wine goes through a specific process to remove most or all of the alcohol present. Such a bottle might have the terms “zero alcohol” or “alcohol-free” on its label.
How Are Non-Alcoholic Wines Made?
There are four methods approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for removing alcohol from wine, reports the Institute of Food Technologists. Alcohol can be removed through thin-film evaporation (called vacuum distillation), reverse osmosis, spinning cone distillation and thermal gradient processing. But the two most common ways are vacuum distillation and reverse osmosis.
In vacuum distillation, the beverage is heated to the point where the alcohol evaporates. During the practice of reverse osmosis, wine is run “through a filter, and the filter separates the alcohol based on the size of the molecule,” Terry Donnelly, chairman and CEO of Hill Street Beverage Company Inc. told Wine Enthusiast. “Alcohol is a bigger molecule than water, so you can literally run it through like a microscopic strainer and filter the alcohol off.”
In comparison, wine alternatives are designed to mimic the flavor, texture and experience of wine by using a variety of ingredients other than wine. Some options may include tea, kombucha or other fruit juices. Some wine alternatives simply feel like a nice booze-free beverage, while others use winemaking techniques to replicate the experience of tannin, flavors and acidity of wine.
There’s no shortage of NA wines to try. To help you get started, we pulled together a list of top-rated bottles on Amazon, Total Wine & More and other online retailers. To make the list, each bottle (only one per brand) needed to have at least four stars or higher. Check them out below.
The Best Non-Alcoholic Wines
Freixenet Sparkling Alcohol-Removed Wine
Customer Rating: 5 Stars on Total Wine
This fruity, sparkling non-alcoholic wine comes from Spain by a brand that already produces alcoholic varieties. Each sip brings flavors of raspberry, strawberry, tropical fruits and floral notes. It’s best served with light dishes like seafood or grilled chicken but is a great addition to a cheese spread.
What Customers Are Saying: “The rosé is crisp, fruity and refreshing. Dryness is comparable to other good NA sparkling wines,” one reviewer said. “Some sweetness. Not too sweet, but not bone dry. I personally prefer the rosé over the white for a little extra fruitiness. Raspberries and a little citrus for me. Great on its own or with food.”
Thomson & Scott Noughty Alcohol-Free Sparkling Rosé
Customer Rating: 4.9 Stars on Noughty
Made with organic grapes, this rosé sparkler is vegan, alcohol-free and fruity. Pop this bottle open for a special occasion or any night of the week.
What Customers Are Saying: “Best tasting non-alcoholic sparkling rosé I’ve tasted,” one drinker wrote.“My family did not realize it was alcohol-free. We all loved it.”
Stella Rosa Peach Non-Alcoholic
Customer Rating: 4.7 Stars on Total Wine & More
Stella Rosa has been making wine in California since before Prohibition. This peach offering is favored by those who love fruit wines.
What Customers Are Saying: “I was pleasantly surprised by this non-alcoholic drink,” wrote one reviewer. “The peach taste is subtle but very delicious. I enjoyed this and will definitely buy it again.
Fre White Zinfandel
Customer Rating: 4.5 Stars on Total Wine & More
Before rosé was readily available across the U.S., pink wine lovers drank white Zinfandel, which was first made, marketed and sold by Sutter Home in the 1970s. Now, the company’s Fre White Zinfandel offers those same fruity flavors without the buzz.
What Customers Are Saying: “This is actually really, really good,” one shopper raved. “I am shocked, to be honest. I was expecting it to be super sweet and it’s not! I just quit drinking a year ago and this is the first n/a wine that I really like—for a cool summer option you won’t be disappointed.”
Luminara Alcohol-Removed Napa Valley Chardonnay
Customer Rating: 4.5 Stars on Better Rhodes
Straight from Napa Valley, this Chardonnay is as flavorful as a classic bottle. Each sip brings fresh fruit and notes of tart apple, lemon and cream. You’ll also find high acid on the palate and texture from French and American oak aging. It pairs beautifully with hearty meals, like creamy pasta or seafood stew.
What Customers Are Saying: “Delicious. Light and pleasant on the tongue. Served to friends with a risotto dish and paired nicely. Would certainly recommend to anyone wanting a lovely, light, full mouth Chardonnay without alcohol,” one reviewer wrote.
Wander + Found Non-Alcoholic Pinot Noir
Customer Rating: 4.5 Stars on Better Rhodes
Made in the style of Pinot Noir, this non-alcoholic red brings flavors of dark red cherries and currants, a long finish and deep richness. It pairs well with grilled steak, vegetables or mild cheese.
What Customers Are Saying: “Big fan of this Pinot Noir from Wander + Found! Highly recommend it,” one reviewer said. “Has a deep cherry and currant flavor with a medium body. (Decently priced too) Can’t go wrong with this one!”
TÖST All-Natural Alcohol-Free Sparkling Beverage
Customer Rating: 4.5 Stars on Amazon
Though not technically a wine, this wine alternative is made from sparkling white tea, cranberry and ginger to mimic the flavors of a glass of your favorite white. This dry sparkling drink has a refreshing flavor of citrus and fruit.
What Customers Are Saying: “Loved this a lot. Had a tea flavor to it and was frothy like beer. Really nice after a long day and perfect if you’re trying to cut back or quit drinking wine,” one reviewer raved.
Belvoir Fruit Farms Elderflower Rose Lemonade
Customer Rating: 4.5 Stars of Amazon
Made from carbonated water, elderflower, lemon juice and elderberry, this alcohol-free wine alternative is perfect for topping off a mocktail or sipping straight up. For those looking for a sweeter option, this is a great pick for a mild, floral flavor.
What Customers Are Saying: “Delicious, mildly sweet, great taste of elderflower with a hint of rose,” one reviewer noted. “Wonderfully different, light summer drink.”
Rondel Zero Non-Alcoholic Cava
Customer Rating: 4.3 Stars on Total Wine & More
Spanish winemakers have been making sparkling wine via the traditional method since the early 1870s. Those who wish to partake in the festivities with a glass of bubbly sans booze can pour a glass of Rondel Zero Non-Alcoholic Cava.
What Customers Are Saying: “[It was] very good and [I] will purchase it again,” said one bubbly drinker. “[It] was nice and classy [with] the right amount of bubbles … If I had known it was this good I would have bought a case.”
St. Regis Non-Alcoholic Brut
Customer Rating: 4.3 Stars on Total Wine & More
Made with Chardonnay grapes sourced from France, this sparkler can be sipped on its own or mixed into a drink for a NA mocktail.
What Customers Are Saying: “As a regular Champagne drinker,” one sparkling fan wrote. “I was not disappointed in this offering. [I’m] always trying to get flavor with less alcohol units. This was a decent substitute!”
Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon Non-Alcoholic Wine
Customer Rating: 4.2 Stars on Amazon
Red wine drinkers looking to cut back on alcohol will appreciate this oak-aged Cabernet Sauvignon made by Ariel Vineyards.
What Customers Are Saying: “[It] has the true flavor of Cabernet without the alcohol,” one reviewer wrote. “Delicious with a steak!”
Pierre Chavin Perle Rose Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rose
Customer Rating: 4.2 Stars on Amazon
From Domaines Pierre Chavin comes this effervescent rosé, which can be served as is or used to make festive non-alcoholic cocktails.
What Customers Are Saying: “It tasted amazing,” one customer wrote. “I am two years sober, so this was perfect. I still can’t believe the taste. I would recommend to anyone that’s no longer drinking but want[s] something nice for a special occasion.”
Señorio de la Tautila Espumoso Blanco Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine
Customer Rating: 4.2 Stars on Amazon
This brut NA Spanish sparkler is made using traditional winemaking methods and then dealcoholized.
What Customers Are Saying: “A very delicious non-alcoholic Champagne,” wrote one drinker. “[It] reminded me of some of the Champagnes I had when I visit Champagne County in France. You won’t get a buzz or hangover, but you can still enjoy the taste of a nice Champagne. Was a hit at my mother’s on Mother’s Day.”
Chatêau De Fleur Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine Champagnette
Customer Rating: 4.1 Stars on Amazon
This bottle can be imbibed on its own or mixed into a drink any night of the week.
What Customers Are Saying: “I bought this non-alcoholic sparkling wine for my sister’s 25th anniversary because they don’t consume alcohol,” writes one reviewer. “And my sister and her husband loved it so much they drank the whole bottle during a surprise dinner at home. Delicious, delicious and delicious.”
Giesen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 0% Alcohol
Customer Review: 4.1 Stars on Total Wine & More
New Zealand is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, and now, imbibers can enjoy one of the country’s signature grapes sans alcohol.
What Customers Are Saying: “Best non-alcoholic wine I’ve tasted,” wrote one reviewer. “[It] does not taste watered down.” Another fan of this white wine wrote, “The closest you will come to the taste of Sauvignon Blanc without the alcohol. Refreshing tart grapefruit notes with a whiff of tannins. Not sweet like grape juice. Please keep this in stock!”
FAQ
Are There Trace Amounts of Alcohol in Non-Alcoholic Wine?
Any NA wine that has undergone the fermentation process will have trace amounts of alcohol, often in the realm of .5%. This is similar to commercial kombucha.
How to Pick a Non-Alcoholic Wine
Like any other bottle of wine, choosing a non-alcoholic bottle is based on your personal preferences. Read online reviews or ask for personal recommendations to know if a particular bottle will meet your tastes.
This article was updated on February 2, 2023.
