Non-alcoholic wines are real wines, but with the alcohol removed, so just like real wines it can take a lot of tasting before you find the right ones for you. The best way to find your favourite zero alcohol wine is to dive right in and try them all!
Barring that, trying our discounted tasting bundles, researching and reading reviews is the next best thing, so to help you get started, here are my tasting notes on a few of my best selling wines. But before we get started, here is a recap on what non-alcoholic wines are:
Is non-alcoholic wine really non-alcoholic?
For any drink (beer, wine, or spirit) to be given the non-alcoholic title, it needs to contain 0.5% ABV or less. This trace level of alcohol is similar to that found naturally in ripe fruits and fruit juices.
While de-alcoholised wines have had the alcohol removed, you'll find some contemporary beverage brands like NON and Altina create wine and cocktail style beverages which are created without the use of alcohol at all!
Is there any alcohol-free wine that actually tastes like wine?
Yes! Forget about all those typical supermarket non-alc wines that tasted like grape juice. Technology has come a long way and this new wave of non-alcoholic wines are the real deal, they are complex and they are down right fabulous!
Zero alcohol or low alcohol wine is put through the same winemaking process as regular wine, then de-alcoholised just before bottling. This helps preserve the very same flavour you'd find in your usual Pinot Gris, Rosé, Merlot or Sparkling wine.
What is the best non-alcoholic wine?
This article is not nearly long enough to list all the low alcohol wines I love to drink, so I have just picked out some of my best sellers and customer favourites to share with you here.
McGuigan Zero
I couldn't put together a list of the best non-alcoholic wine without including one of the most awarded, top wineries in Australia (and the world). McGuigan Wines, as we know it, has been up and running for almost 30 years now. With a rich history of winemakers and wine lovers spread down the McGuigan family line for decades prior, I've chosen two of my McGuigan Zero favourites.
McGuigan Zero Dry Rosé
This Rosé looks and tastes just like a dry Rosé should. From the first sip, with the help of delicate aromas, you experience something akin to rose petals. This is not sweet, and as you lower the glass and take in the tastes, a tangy grapefruit and strawberry flavour hits. A crisp, dry, refreshing finish really lends itself to this light, bright low alcohol Rosé. If you're looking for a new dry (at a highly affordable price), I would suggest giving the McGuigan Dry Rosé a try.
McGuigan Zero Chardonnay
This is a delicious wine with a classic Chardonnay mouthfeel. It has a slightly woody undertone which counteracts and sweetness and it has the same taste 'kick' you get when you drink alcoholic white wine, while also offering a refreshing finish.
Giesen 0%
Theo, Alex and Marcel are the brothers behind the NZ wine brand, Giesen. They've been creating delicious wines since 1981 and they have now created a non-alcoholic version of their well loved original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Giesen 0% Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
This wine was created by legendary winemaker Nikolai St George and has a zingy lemon shortbread aroma, plus the tastes of juicy berries, fresh lime and smooth passionfruit coming through before the dry finish. This white wine makes for very easy drinking. Just a great, classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Lindeman's Wines
Lindeman's Wines have been globally awarded for 150 years. This is an iconic Australian wine brand who have created 3 non-alcoholic wines from the famous NSW Hunter Valley.
Looking, feeling and tasting like a dry sparkling white wine, this non-alcoholic Sparkling Chardonnay is dry and very affordable at around $10 a bottle. It has a sharp classic Chardonnay punch and is excellent with cheese and could easily be an alternative to sparkling champagne at any celebration.
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Lindeman's Non Alcoholic Semillon Chardonnay
This dry white wine has hints of citrus with a crisp, refreshing mouthfeel. The first time I tasted it I was actually surprised by how close this was to an alcoholic Semillon Chardonnay. It has notes of stone fruits, pear and apple with the citrus undertones. People who enjoy a lighter Chardonnay will love this alcohol-free alternative.
Plus & Minus
Aussie winemakers Plus & Minus have made quite the name for themselves with their wide range of drinks. All Plus & Minus wines contain less than 0.5 ABV, they are all made with low amounts of sugar, every bottle is stylishly designed and the wines contain natural antioxidants from the addition of grape seed extract.
Plus & Minus Rosé
If you like drinking rose wine this best seller is a great option for you. It has a pale pink shade and is a light, easy drinking European style wine with notes of strawberries and a dry finish.
"It is just light and fluffy, not sweet and easy to drink," says Carly, one of my awesome customers.
NEWBLOOD
NEWBLOOD are rule-breakers. The way they make their products, using an innovative triple-distillation process at an extremely low temperature ensures a number of things: each wine meets the 'less than 0.5 ABV per bottle' rule and most importantly, the full-bodied, intense flavour of the original wine recipe is retained.
NEWBLOOD Non Alcoholic Chardonnay
One of the best non-alcoholic Chardonnay available. Many customers have said the same thing - "I don't like Chardonnay but I love this one because it tastes like real wine". This Chardonnay is dry and oaky, well balanced with a robust mouthfeel.
Edenvale Premium Reserve
Edenvale have a range of many different wines that they've been providing to alcohol-free drinkers at a great price since 2006. The Edenvale Premium Reserve range is low in calories and high in antioxidants.
Edenvale Premium Reserve Sparkling Shiraz
With a complex savoury Shiraz flavour, this non-alcoholic sparkling wine is almost indistinguishable from a regular sparkling red like lambrusco. Except delicious notes of tangy blackberry and currant with exotic spices. I would suggest this product to anyone who enjoys a slightly bubbly take on a classic red wine, or even lovers of white sparkling wine - if you're not already into reds, this could be a great starting point to becoming a red wine drinker.
