You can listen to the interview here.
You’ll find all my low- and no-alcohol wine recommendations here.
Some of you may be abstaining from alcohol as part of the Dry January trend. But what if you don’t want to give up wine completely? Are alcohol-free wines a good option?
Here with her tips is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com.
Why are alcohol-free wines becoming increasingly popular?
– The drive behind trends such as sober curious, dry or damp January, mindful drinking and conscious consumption is mostly for health reasons. That could be recalibrating after the holidays or an ongoing desire to consume less alcohol or fewer calories.
– Alcohol-free bottles often indicate the calories and have an ingredient label on the back, which you don’t usually see on wine with alcohol because it’s not legally required.
– Other people want wine that pairs better with lighter fare like salads or seafood that get clobbered with a high alcohol wine.
Do they taste any good?
– Yes, they do! Alcohol does carry flavour and adds weight and mouthfeel, so these wines do taste and feel lighter, but they can still be packed with flavour!
How do they make alcohol-free wines?
There are two methods. De-alcoholized wine means the wine is fully fermented first then the alcohol is removed using technology such as vacuum distillation or reverse osmosis.
The second method ferments the grape juice stops the process before most of the alcohol is created by limiting the yeast or removing the alcohol during fermentation rather than afterwards.
These wines will have 0 to only .5% alcohol by volume, so virtually none. They usually taste sweeter and fruitier than de-alcoholized wines.
Tell us about some of your favourites.
Topping my list are sparkling wines, both white and rosé, which I find very close in taste to the alcoholic version.
Jøyus Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé, United States: Delicious, juicy and mouth-watering! This alcohol-free sparkling Rosé over-delivers from the get go. Notes of fresh field strawberries. Perfect for fried chicken. There are only 100 calories per bottle. $38.00 Score: 93/100. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Wander + Found Sparkling Cuveé Blanc, Germany: A terrific, zesty, vegan friendly, alcohol-free blend of dealcoholized wine, grape must, rectified concentrated grape must. Aromas of lime zest, lemon and gooseberry on the nose. Pair with shellfish. Contains 25 calories per serving. $22.29 Score: 93/100. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Pure Vision Wines Zero Sparkling, Adelaide Plains, South Australia: A tart, refreshing, mouth-watering, alcohol-free organic Chardonnay from the Adelaide Plains of South Australia. Aromas of tart green apple, lime zest and lemongrass. Pair with roast turkey. Contains 100 calories per 125mL serving. $25.99 Score: 88/100. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Gruvi Bubbly Rosé, Canada: Cinnamon, wild strawberry and yeasty notes on the nose and palate of this alcohol-free, vegan sparkling Rosé. Pair with spice-rubbed ribs. Comes in a 4-Pack. 60 calories per bottle. $22.99 Score: 88/100. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Win Premium Sparkling Rosé, Valbuena De Duero, Spain: Lovely sweet raspberry aromas and flavours on this vegan, alcohol-free sparkling Rosé from Portugal. Luscious ripe strawberries on the palate. 160 Calories per bottle. Perfect for a fruit flan or cobbler with raspberries. $22.99 Score: 88/100. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Null Wines Sparkling Verdejo 2019, Rueda, Spain: A zesty, refreshing almost alcohol-free sparkling wine made from the Verdejo grape. Notes of ripe pear and peach on the nose. Perfect for shellfish. There are only 125 calories per bottle. $48.00 Score: 90/100. Top Rated Sparkling Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
How about some white wines?
Alcohol-free white wines are also a great choice because they have the acidity to balance fruit flavours. I’d suggest:
Null Wines Grüner Weiss 2022, Lower Austria: A lovely nose of grapefruit and white peach on this almost alcohol-free blend of Gruner Veltliner and Gelber Muskateller grapes grown in lower Austria. Juicy and mouth-watering. There are only 125 calories per bottle. Perfect for vegetarian dishes, field greens and seafood. $45.00 Score: 91/100. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Luminara Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022, Napa Valley, California: A rich, full-bodied, round, alcohol-free Chardonnay from Napa Valley. Loaded with voluptuous aromas of caramel, toffee and golden apple. Pair with roast chicken. Contains 135 calories per bottle. $25.95 Score: 90/100. Top Rated White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Smoky Bay 0.0% Chardonnay, Australia: An alcohol-free, vegan Australian Chardonnay. This medium-bodied wine offers aromas of yellow apple and pear on the nose and palate, as well as flavours of ripe apricot and sweet peach on the palate. Only 160 calories per bottle. Mouth-watering and juicy. Pair with roast chicken. Score: 88/100. Best Value White Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Any reds?
De-alcoholized red wine is more of a challenge to produce and they often taste sweeter and fruitier than their alcoholic cousins. I’d recommend:
Win 12 Oak Barrel Aged Tempranillo, Valbuena De Duero, Spain: Sweet cherry and toasty oak on the nose and palate of this alcohol-free Tempranillo from Spain that was aged in oak barrels for 12 months. Only 160 calories per bottle. Smooth and medium-bodied. Pair with braised beef. $28.95 Score: 88/100. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Pure Vision Wines Zero Shiraz 2021, Adelaide Plains, South Australia: A juicy, full-bodied, alcohol-free organic Shiraz from the Adelaide Plains of South Australia. Aromas of blackberries, dark plums and pepper. Pair with grilled meats. Contains 32 calories per 100 ml serving. $23.69 Score: 89/100. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
