Whether you’ve embarked on Dry January or are just trying to be more mindful about your alcohol consumption, you’re not alone. The fact that there are so many nonalcoholic (NA) options for wines, beers, and spirits on the market is proof of that.
As a sommelier, I’m curious about NA wine options and have dried a bunch. Luckily, I’ve found some pleasant and quaffable bottles of nonalcoholic wine.
Here are my top suggestions if you’re looking to buy a nonalcoholic wine.
Note: The FDA allows up to 0.5% ABV for these products, so read the labels closely if you’re looking for zero alcohol.
Ariel makes a good bottle of alcohol-removed chardonnay.
One of the biggest things to remember is that these options are not exact dupes for wine. The nose and the palate are generally slightly different.
That said, Ariel by J. Lohr Winery produces a nonalcoholic chardonnay with solid wine-like aromas and flavors — it’s just a bit more subtle.
It’s only about $11 a bottle, and I like to enjoy it with a simple weeknight meal of creamy pasta or grilled fish and vegetables.
Fre’s alcohol-removed pinot grigio is a nice replacement.
Fre’s $10 bottle of nonalcoholic pinot grigio should align with your palate if you enjoy a slightly sweet white wine.
Floral and lychee aromas give way to a fresh, sweet taste reminiscent of the real thing.
In my opinion, it’s one of the closest examples of a no-alcohol drink that tastes like regular wine.
Bouchaine’s nonalcoholic rosé feels sophisticated.
Napa Valley’s Bouchaine Vineyards offers more elevated nonalcohol options made from its estate-grown grapes.
The very subtle aromas and flavors almost make me feel like I’m drinking a real glass of wine.
If you’re looking for a drier option, the brand’s $25 bottle of estate rosé only has 6 grams of sugar per liter — most similar offerings clock in between 24 and 60 grams.
Bolle’s nonalcoholic sparkling wines are celebration-worthy.
With white and rosé offerings, Bolle’s $30 nonalcohol bottles are the closest thing to a dry sparkling wine I’ve tasted.
They’re made from chardonnay, sylvaner, and pinot-noir grapes grown in La Mancha, Spain.
When I’m looking for a celebration wine without the alcohol, this is my top choice.
Moderato dealcoholized blanc de noir is a refreshing choice.
Made from merlot grapes grown in Bordeaux, France, Moderato’s nonalcoholic blanc de noir is crisp and refreshing as can be.
The sparkling wine goes for about $28 a bottle, so slightly cheaper than Bolle.
When I serve it chilled with a light meal, I hardly miss the alcohol.
Kally has some alternative options.
I would consider Kally’s organic line of no-alcohol drinks to be more like wine alternatives than dupes. They’re made with early-harvested grapes, herbs, botanicals, and decaffeinated teas.
Its standard offerings are also $39 a bottle, so they’re definitely on the pricier side.
When drinking these, I find you have to suspend your beliefs about what wine should smell and taste like a little. However, I like the savory and herbaceous notes in its golden sparkler bottle.
Ariel’s alcohol-removed cabernet sauvignon does the trick.
For whatever reason, making a tasty, nonalcoholic red wine seems to be a challenge. I haven’t found as many that I like.
When I’m in the mood for one, I usually reach for Ariel’s alcohol-removed cabernet sauvignon. It’s lightly sweet, best served chilled, and only about $11.
I love a wine spritzer and find this bottle delightful when served over ice with club soda and a squeeze of lemon.
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