As an editor and writer who regularly covers the world of nonalcoholic drinks, I have tasted more than my fair share of booze-free wines. Much like with regular wine, the results have been mixed – some are bitter or super sour, or even worse, smell like nothing. But I’ve also had the pleasure of drinking alcohol-free wines that scratched the same itch as a top-notch riesling or champagne.
When I have conversations with people who are curious about nonalcoholic wines, cost comes up as one of the most common concerns. I totally understand that it’s tempting to write off the category as upcharged grape juice with better branding, but contrary to popular opinion, you’re not actually paying for the alcohol in regular wine either.
In both types of wine, you’re investing in the effort and care that goes into making a product that tastes, smells and feels thoughtful. Just like you shouldn’t expect a $15 mass-produced pinot noir to go toe-to-toe with a Grand Cru Burgundy, there is a true difference between the $12 nonalcoholic white wine blend collecting dust on grocery shelves and a nonalcoholic bottling from a third-generation winemaker.
The best nonalcoholic wines start with grapes that are grown and harvested at optimal ripeness, so that each sip is balanced in terms of acidity, flavor notes and body. In most cases, those grapes are pressed, their juice is fermented and the ethanol alcohol is flushed away in a process known as vacuum distillation. Some producers might play with the juice to add back in desired flavors and aromas that might be lost during the alcohol removal process, but otherwise, the best booze-free wines are made (and taste) surprisingly similar to the wines you’re already familiar with.
Whether you’re seeking a white, red or sparkling, here are 13 standouts to sample.
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The best nonalcoholic wines at a glance
Nonalcoholic white wines
For pairing with cheese or roast chicken:
Saint Viviana Sauvignon Blanc
For a wine rooted in history:
Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Riesling
For sipping with or without food:
Sovi Nonalcoholic Reserve Chenin Blanc
For a beach vacation in a bottle:
Kolonne Null Verdejo
For a wine also great to cook with:
Wölffer Estate Chardonnay Verjus
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Nonalcoholic red wines
For a worthwhile splurge:
Oceano Pinot Noir
For pairing with steak:
Oddbird GSM
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Nonalcoholic sparkling wines
For filling your picnic cooler:
Ramona Dry Sparkling Nonalcoholic Rosé
For impressing dinner party guests:
Society De La Rassi Neue Brut
For making sparkling cocktails:
Freixenet Alcohol-Removed Sparkling White Wine
For pairing with party snacks:
Duju Non Alc Sparkling Wine
For celebrating big milestones:
French Bloom La Cuvée Vintage
For budget-friendly bubbles under $25:
Woody’s Blanc de Blancs
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Why you should trust me
Knowing what makes a balanced nonalcoholic wine starts with knowing what to taste for (more on that below). As Food & Wine magazine’s former senior drinks editor, I regularly tried and evaluated wines, beers and spirits across the booze spectrum. I also completed the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)’s level three advanced certification in wines, and I report on nonalcoholic drinks for outlets such as Bon Appétit and Wine Enthusiast.
Perhaps most importantly, I’m bullish about the category and am constantly trying new releases to see what they bring to the (no pun intended) table in terms of food-friendliness, acidity, texture, aroma and flavor. If you tell me nonalcoholic wine is bad, overpriced or “defeats the point”, I’ll take it as my cue to start a conversation.
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The best nonalcoholic still white wines to try
Saint Viviana Nonalcoholic Sauvignon Blanc
Flavor notes: melon, grapefruit, gooseberry
A crowd-pleasing gateway into this realm, Saint Viviana’s offering has a punch of acidity that makes clear this wine was designed to be food-friendly. I find that especially the case if a cheese platter or roast chicken happens to be on the menu (or, you can reverse engineer). This bottle truly shows off tropical fruit notes that recall the ripe, sweet taste of warm-climate sauvignon blanc.
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Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Riesling
Flavor notes: fresh herbs, wet stone, lemon, mint
The process used to remove alcohol from wine was first created in Germany back in the early 20th century, but the Leitz family has been making iconic rieslings in the Rheingau region since the 1700s. In other words, this dealcoholized riesling has pedigree. Bone dry and acidic with a surprising minty, herbaceous profile, it tastes shockingly similar to its alcoholic counterpart, arguably more so than any others on this list. One of my favorite party tricks involves getting friends to taste a glass alongside a regular riesling and watch them hesitate when guessing which has alcohol.
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Sovi Nonalcoholic Reserve Chenin Blanc
Flavor notes: Pear, cantaloupe, honeydew
If I come across chenin blanc on a by-the-glass list, there’s a good chance that I’ll order it, which is why I was thrilled to find Sovi’s nonalcoholic offering on a restaurant menu during my pregnancy. Made in partnership with Clarksburg, California-based Heringer Estates vineyards, I find this wine to be noticeably less acidic and more textured than many nonalcoholic still and sparkling white wines, making it perfect for sipping without food.
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Kolonne Null Verdejo
Flavor notes: Pineapple, passionfruit, mango
You might not have had an opportunity to get to know Verdejo, Spain’s slightly nutty (in flavor, not disposition) and herbaceous answer to sauvignon blanc, but consider this offering from Kolonne Null your sign to get acquainted. The Berlin-based industry pioneer works with wineries throughout Europe to produce its alcohol-free wines. This one is a beach vacation in a bottle, with tropical fruit notes; round and smooth, it’s an ideal pairing for a dessert cheese course.
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Wölffer Estate Chardonnay Verjus
Flavor notes: Green apple, lime, vanilla blossom
In my fridge, I always keep a bottle (or two) of verjus, which is just juice from pressed wine grapes that hasn’t undergone fermentation. It’s fantastic for deglazing your pan when sauteing onions or mushrooms, and for substituting vinegar in salad dressings. That said, I also love to drink it! It’s ideal when served with sparkling water (I usually mix two parts of verjus with one part of seltzer). Finger Lakes winery Wölffer Estate’s chardonnay verjus is wonderfully tart with a strong backbone of green apples – absolutely mouthwatering.
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The best nonalcoholic still red wines to try
Oceano Nonalcoholic Pinot Noir
Flavor notes: Cherry soda, strawberry jam, red plums
Nonalcoholic still red wines are famously tricky to nail. During the alcohol removal process, body and texture are also often lost along with ethanol, and their absence is ultimately more noticeable in red wines. As a result, a lot of zero-proof red wines end up tasting a bit too much like red wine vinegar, or on the flipside, are far too bold and bitter as producers try to overcorrect and add flavor elements back in.
This pinot noir from the San Luis Obispo coast is a rare exception. Channeling cherry soda and fresh strawberry notes in each glass, it can manifest warmer weather even in the dead of winter. It’s a great middle ground for both acid fiends and those who prefer medium-bodied red wines, and the care taken to ensure this wine has a balanced finish makes its relatively high price tag worth it.
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Oddbird GSM Non-Alcoholic Red Wine
Flavor notes: Blackberries, cherries, baking spice
Oddbird’s GSM blend (grenache, syrah and mourvèdre) stands out in the not-so-inspiring world of zero-proof red wines and somehow manages to preserve a GSM’s traditional essence. Its juicy black fruit notes make way for a bold finish that plays nicely with a classic steak dinner or a charcuterie platter stacked with prosciutto and other cured meats.
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The best nonalcoholic sparkling wines to try
Ramona Nonalcoholic Dry Sparkling Rosé
Flavor notes: Strawberries, raspberries, red grapes
Founded by Momofuku and Eleven Madison Park alumna and sommelier Jordan Salcito, canned spritz icon Ramona, which launched over a decade ago, has finally ventured into the nonalcoholic category. This cheerful blend of Italian-grown sangiovese and montepulciano grapes is fizzy, a little tart and sure to delight the rosé loyalist who wants a break from booze at their next picnic.
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Society De La Rassi Neue Brut
Flavor notes: Vanilla, bergamot, lemon zest, graham crackers
Blanc de Blancs fans, this one’s for you. Made from 100% chardonnay grapes sourced directly from La Mancha, Spain’s largest wine production area, Society De La Rassi’s brut wine is – true to its name – crisp, bright and bone-dry. The sleek, Instagram-ready label makes it a bottle you will be especially keen to display in an ice bucket for your next dinner party.
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Freixenet Alcohol-Removed Sparkling White Wine
Flavor notes: Dragonfruit, lychee, raspberry, vanilla
Freixenet offers one of the most affordable nonalcoholic sparkling wines at bottle shops around the country. With bubbles that feel relatively smooth on the tongue and an easy balance of pear and lemon notes, it’s one of my favorites to use when making booze-free bubbly cocktails, such as a classic bellini or a French 75 made with my tried-and-true zero-proof gin from Ritual.
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Duju Non Alc Sparkling Wine
Flavor notes: Crisp green apple, lemon
While most nonalcoholic white sparkling wines lean on chardonnay for a punch of acidity, I love that brand-new bubbly brand Duju uses 100% French sauvignon blanc grapes. This smooth, easy-sipping wine plays perfectly with salty, fatty party snacks such as potato chips and caviar or pigs in a blanket, and I especially love that a case of six bottles is just $150 (and makes sense to have on hand for parties where you might eat the aforementioned foods).
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French Bloom La Cuvée Vintage
Flavor notes: Brioche, buttered toast, lemon, peach
One of my favorite bottles to open on big milestones, such as pregnancy, promotions or engagements, French Bloom’s La Cuvée wine proves that celebration bubbly doesn’t have to be boozy. With familiar buttery, brioche notes, balanced acidity and a bit of minerality, this bottle is a dead ringer for an age-worthy vintage champagne. Plus, the elegant wood casing makes it beautiful for gifting, no wrap required.
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Woody’s Sparkling Blanc de Blancs
Flavor notes: Lemon rind, peach, vanilla
A third-generation winemaker from Healdsburg, California, Woody Hambrecht proves nonalcoholic wine can be just as fun as its boozy counterpart. Unlike the bubblies above, Woody’s has a crown cap instead of a cork enclosure, making it a perfect fit for more casual celebrations or patio parties.
