Guide to Next Destination's non-alcoholic wines

Jan 20, 2023

There is no doubt about it, non-alcoholic wine has changed. Gone are the days when sugary grape juice was the best alternative to wine. With new and innovative ways to remove alcohol, drinking non-alcoholic wine is now a very positive experience, with many seasoned wine drinkers enjoying non-alcoholic wines as a way to drink more mindfully.

A wine glasses and a bottle of Next Destination non-alcoholic wine

The non-alcoholic wine market has exploded in the last few years, with both consumers and winemakers agreeing that the standard has never been higher. 

Enter Next Destination — a new Australian brand with a passion for regional varietals. Next Destination non-alcoholic wines have already caused a stir and in my opinion, have raised the bar to new and exciting heights. In fact, I would go as far as saying that the Next Destination range is the best non-alcoholic wine Australia has seen.

All Next Destination wine begins life as a premium alcoholic wine, picked for its vintage and regional varietal. By starting with the best wine available, Next Destination knows that when the alcohol is removed, the non-alcoholic wine that is left behind is of exceptional quality. 

I’m thrilled that Next Destination wine has chosen Sans Drinks to be their official stockist. I’ve created this exclusive guide to introduce you to the range. 

2018 Barossa Valley Shiraz

The 2018 Barossa Valley Shiraz was the first of the Next Destination wines to hit the market and it’s fair to say that it created a bit of a stir. With Body & Soul describing it as an alternative to Penfolds Bin 389, it was hard to keep up with demand. In fact, many Sans Drinks customers have told me that it is the best non-alcoholic wine they have tried. 

The region 

The Barossa Valley is considered to be the best destination for Shiraz with wine drinkers around the world holding it in the same regard as the Bordeaux region in France and the Napa Valley in the United States. 

Perhaps the secret to Barossa Valley Shiraz is in the soil — which limits the amount of fruit that can grow on the vine, resulting in grapes with highly concentrated flavours. 

The taste 

Featuring generous notes of dark chocolate, juicy berries and French Oak, this non-alcoholic red wine has a dry profile, robust mouthfeel and smooth, layered tannins. 

Worth noting

This wine is vegan-friendly, low in sugar and just 21 calories per 100mls. 

Best served

For the best possible drinking experience, I recommend opening your Next Destination Shiraz at least an hour before you plan to drink it so that oxidation can occur. 

Serve your Shiraz between 16 and 18 degrees, ideally in a Chardonnay glass, which is bowl-shaped, and pair it with dishes that have bold flavours such as hearty stews and smokey, char-grilled vegetables. 

2018 McLaren Vale Chardonnay 

The second Next Destination non-alcoholic wine to hit the market, the 2018 McLaren Vale Chardonnay became an instant best-seller when it hit the shelves earlier this year with many customers telling me it is the best non-alcoholic Chardonnay they’ve tried. Made with premium Chardonnay grapes, grown in the heart of the McLaren Vale region, this wine was lovingly aged for four years before the alcohol was removed. 

The region

South of Adelaide, and with more than 180 years of winemaking in the area, McLaren Vale is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions. Known for innovative viticultural and winemaking techniques, the region owes much to the climate, which is often described as ‘Mediterranean’ — think warm summers, moderate winters, winter-dominated rainfall and low relative humidity. 

The taste

Featuring aromas of citrus blossom and honeysuckle along with hints of oak, this non-alcoholic white wine has a dry, buttery profile and a long, smooth finish.

Worth noting

This wine is vegan-friendly, low in sugar and low in calories. 

Best served

I recommend serving 2018 McLaren Vale Chardonnay at 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in a large, bowl-shaped glass. Pair with light dishes such as sushi or Asian-inspired salads. 

2021 Langhorne Creek Blanc de Blanc

An exciting addition to the Next Destination range, Langhorne Creek Blanc de Blanc has been made with premium Chardonnay grapes grown in the iconic Langhorne Creek wine region. While this one is new to Sans Drinks, early reviewers are telling me that it’s one of the best non-alcoholic wines they’ve tried. 

The region

Langhorne Creek is situated in the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia where the climate is influenced by southerly winds that blow directly from the Southern Ocean across Lake Alexandria. With a proud tradition of family-run wineries and vineyards, some of whom have made wine for six generations, Langhorne Creek is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions. 

The taste

Featuring aromas of lemon curd and crisp apple along with a hint of toasted brioche, this non-alcoholic sparkling wine has a crisp palate and a lingering finish. 

Worth noting

This wine is vegan-friendly, low in sugar (2.5g per 100mls) and low in calories (17 calories per 100mls). 

Best served

Perfect for a celebration, this wine is best served chilled at 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in a champagne flute or coupe. I recommend pairing it with appetisers such as canapes and light summer dishes. 

2018 King Valley Rosé

The latest addition to the Next Destination range is the King Valley Rosé. This delicate Rosé has been crafted in the European style in keeping with the Italian heritage of the region. 

The region

Located in North East Victoria, The King Valley enjoys a continental climate characterised by warm days and cool nights. It’s one of the highest-altitude grape-growing regions in Australia and many of the vineyards grow on gentle slopes, facing north and northeast. 

The taste 

The King Valley Rosé has a beautiful salmon pink hue and features strawberry aromas and rose petals along with delicate red berry flavours. It has a silky smooth, dry palate with a touch of natural acidity. 

Worth noting 

This wine is vegan-friendly, low in calories (17 calories per 100mls) and is just 2.7g of sugar per 100mls. 

Best served 

This is a beautiful drop for a summer’s day and is best served chilled at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius, in a white wine glass with a narrow bowl and a long stem. This will help bring out the fruity aromas and will keep the wine cool. I recommend serving King Valley Rosé with summer salads featuring tangy goat cheese, asparagus and melon. 

I hope this guide to Next Destination wines has been helpful. If you try one of these first-of-their-kind non-alcoholic wines, please leave a review. Don’t forget, members of my loyalty club get 100 points for every review so it’s a great win-win. I can’t wait to hear what you think! 

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