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It’s probably not all that uncommon an experience to hear a friend say, “I’d like an N/A cocktail, please,” while out to dinner these days. Not drinking alcohol is more common among Millennials and Gen Zers than previous generations, according to Gallup – and luckily for those among us who either choose not to drink at all or are abstaining temporarily, there are tons of non-alcoholic options out there that make not drinking alcohol far from boring.
From N/A beers and canned spirit-free cocktails to a wide selection of non-alcoholic wines, we’re truly living in the golden age of non-alcoholic beverages. We rounded up some of the best of the best non-alcoholic wines out there to help guide you, no matter why you’re choosing to buy.
What Is Non Alcoholic Wine?
It looks like wine, it (sort of) tastes like wine – but it’s free of alcohol! Surprisingly, though, there’s actually more to it than that. Non-alcoholic wine comes in a few different forms, and knowing the difference between them can help you navigate the N/A wine aisle. Here’s what you need to know:
Alcohol-Removed Wine
You likely already somewhat understand what alcohol-removed wine is: it’s wine that’s had the alcohol removed from it. According to The New York Times, alcohol-removed wine first begins as regular wine. Then, it’s processed to either entirely eliminate the alcohol content, or reduce it to below 0.5% ABV. The resulting N/A wine retains a lot of the flavor profiles you’d expect from the regular alcoholic version, just sans the booze.
Proxy Wine
The other kind of non-alcoholic wine is proxy wine, which really isn’t wine at all, at least, not the way most people would think of it. These wine alternatives are crafted without alcohol, so makers use tinctures, herbs, teas, tonics, spices, and the like to add depth of flavor and complexity to the juice base to make them taste and feel more like a glass of wine to those drinking it.
Because they’re not made as traditional wines, they’re often not classified like those wines either, meaning you generally won’t find wine alternatives labeled as reds, whites, rosés, or sparklings. Instead, these beverages are usually labeled with flavor profiles that’ll help those browsing have a better idea of what it’ll taste like when they pour themselves a glass.
Things To Consider When Buying Non Alcoholic Wine
Now that you know a bit more about what you might find when shopping for non-alcoholic wines, it’s time to break down some of what you’ll want to consider when trying to select the right one for you. Whether it’s occasion-based, flavor-based, or serving and packaging-based, here’s some of what you’ll want to think about when wandering the store.
Flavor Profile
If you’re looking for an alcohol-removed wine and you’ve tasted alcoholic wine before, a good way to go about selecting a non-alcoholic wine that you might like is to think about the kinds of wines you like or the regions that produce the kinds of wines you like. Then, apply that knowledge to the N/A section of the aisle and pick one that’s similar to the kinds of alcohol-containing wines you like.
If it’s a proxy wine or wine alternative in which you’re more interested, thinking about the kinds of flavors you enjoy drinking can help guide you. Citrus, spice, berry fruits, and more are all keys you can look for to help you find something you’ll enjoy.
As always, consulting an expert at a wine shop (or an N/A-specific bottle shop) can help lead you in the right direction as well. They’re experts for a reason!
Carbonation
Special occasions scream “bubbles!” But if you’re not a fan of carbonation, you’ll want to avoid sparkling alcohol-removed wines. That being said, these kinds of non-alcoholic wines can be really approachable places to start exploring N/A wine if you like sparkling alcohol-containing wines.
Packaging
Non-alcoholic wines come in both bottles and cans. Cans are better for taking on the go or for just a single serving, while bottles can be festive to give as a gift and might be easier when you’re pouring for a group. Ultimately, though, the choice between can or bottle really just comes down to personal preference.
Our Top Picks
Best Non Alcoholic White Wine
Made in South Africa, Lautus De-Acoholised Sauvignon Blanc should appeal to those who love a crisp South African sauv blanc. It’s acidic and fruity, perfect for a warm summer day.
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Best Non Alcoholic Red Wine
Reviewers say that this is the best non-alcoholic red wine they’ve tried. If you like cab sauv, it’s worth giving it a shot.
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Best Non Alcoholic Rosé Wine
Vegan and Halal-certified, this sparkling rosé from popular N/A brand Noughty gets rave reviews. Many reviewers said they found that it was a pretty good stand-in for alcohol-containing bubbles, but some reviewers felt it was too juicy to pass muster.
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Best Non Alcoholic Sparkling Wine
Oddbird’s Blanc de Blancs is a chic, dry sparkling made from a Chardonnay blend, with small, delicate bubbles. It’s a French take on a sparkling (but not a champagne, as it’s not from Champagne), so if you’re a French Chardonnay drinker, you might like this.
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Best Organic Non Alcoholic Wine
This organic non-alcoholic sparkling rosé is, as its name suggests, French. Made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot-Noir, this bottle is good for a special occasion, due to the slightly higher price point.
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Best Non Alcoholic Sweet Wine
Moscato’s a classic sweet wine (and may have been your first foray into wine drinking). This non-alcoholic moscato is bursting with those familiar fruit flavors like peaches and tropical fruits and goes great with spicy dishes or, of course, desserts.
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Best Non Alcoholic Dry Wine
Surely’s Brut, which comes in both bottles and single-serve cans, features notes of lemon and passionfruit as well as some dry acidity. The brand markets it as “better than champagne,” so it has a lot of hype to live up to. Reviewers love that it tastes like the sparkling they’re used to, just without the alcohol.
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Best Non Alcoholic Semi-Sweet Wine
This sparkling white from ISH is considered demi-sec, meaning that it’s somewhat sweet. It’s made from a blend of Pinot Blanc and Silvaner grapes and has notes of citrus, green apple, peach, and pear.
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Best Alcohol-Removed Wine
This dry red is from the South of France. It’s made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre & Carignan and has a hint of spice as well as several different dark fruit flavors.
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Best Proxy Wine
Unlike some of the others on this list, this is a wine alternative, instead of an alcohol-removed wine. It’s vegan-certified, gluten-free, and halal and pairs well with cured meats, citrusy salads, and creamy desserts.
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FAQs
Does Non-Alcoholic Wine Have Alcohol?
Some non-alcoholic wines do actually have a bit of alcohol in them. If they’re alcohol-removed, they’ll usually have some residual alcohol content, around 0.5% or less, which is similar to what commercially produced kombucha contains. Proxy non-alcoholic wines, which are wine alternatives, are not made from wine, which means they’re usually made without alcohol.
How Do You Store Non-Alcoholic Wine?
You can store your unopened non-alcoholic wine just like you’d store your unopened other wine in a cool, dry place. These wines aren’t meant to be aged, unlike some alcoholic wines, so you should plan to drink them within a few months. Once the bottle is open, you’ll generally want to pop the bottle in the fridge and drink it relatively soon.
How Long Does Non-Alcoholic Wine Last After Opening?
Non-alcoholic wines, like other wines, should generally be consumed within a few days for freshness’ sake. And, as usual, if the wine is sparkling, you’ll want to drink it within about a day or so so as not to lose the bubbles.
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