8 Nonalcoholic Wines That Taste Just As Good As the Real Thing

Wine has had a tough go in the nonalcoholic realm. Up to now, most NA wines have come off either harsh and oddly hollow or else tasting of fruit juice and not much else. But, drawn along in the wake of successful nonalcoholic beers and spirits, now bottles are hitting the market that not only taste good but also actually taste like wine.

As a wine lover — of the real stuff — I am by nature extremely skeptical about modified wine, and let’s be clear: To make good-tasting nonalcoholic wine, you need to de-alcoholize real wine, bolster it with flavor additives or at the very least unfermented grape juice or extract, and, typically, add preservatives (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and potassium metabisulfite, most commonly). Actual wine is much simpler: grapes, and yeast to ferment their juice. Minimal sulfur dioxide for preservation.

Note also that even de-alcoholized wine usually has trace amounts of alcohol — 0.5% or less — but not zero. However, it also has substantially fewer calories than the regular stuff; alcohol provides the bulk of the calories in wine. So, for those in search of occasional or even all-year moderation, here are eight excellent picks (those without vintages listed are non-vintage offerings).

Related: Make an Alcohol-Free Spritz in Seconds with These Bartender-Approved Bottles

White and sparkling wines

Dr. Fischer Steinbock Alcohol-Removed Sparkling ($19)

An impressive sparkling Riesling that could fool many people into thinking it was regular sparkling wine, this German multi-vintage blend has fresh, zippy flavors and a minerally end; serve it on its own or in an alcohol-free Hugo Spritz.

2023 Luminara Alcohol-Removed Napa Valley Chardonnay ($22)

The nose recalls green apple Jolly Rancher candies, the flavors a mix of green apples (less candy-like) and peach. It’s a solid option from Napa Valley’s Trinchero family.

Related: How Did the Negroni Become the Most Popular Nonalcoholic Cocktail?

Dr. Lo Riesling Alcohol-Removed ($24)

This charming, lightly off-dry Mosel Valley white suggests once again that Riesling, for whatever reason, is more amenable to being made in a nonalcoholic manner than almost any other wine variety. It’s got classic citrus and green apple notes, and a pleasant texture on the finish.

Bólle Blanc de Blancs Sparkling ($30)

Enologist Roberto Vanin crafts this brioche-scented, creamy sparkler from de-alcoholised Chardonnay; then grape juice and yeast is added to create a second fermentation. The result is a good bit more complex than most NA sparkling wines we tried.

2023 Oceano Alcohol Removed Chardonnay Spanish Springs Vineyard ($45)

This San Luis Obispo Chardonnay is one of the rare NA wines in which the flavor actually lingers — think lime zest, a light hint of vanilla, and bright, sharp acidity. It was easily the best NA Chardonnay I tasted.

Red wine

Leitz Zero Point Five Pinot Noir ($19)

Josie Leitz’s non-alcoholic Rieslings from Germany (both sparkling and still) were among the first to offer a tasting experience coming close to real wine, and they’re still easily among the best bottles to be had. His Pinot Noir is also a find, varietally true in its flavors — dark cherry, dry herbs — and its fine, sleek tannins.

Related: The 16 Best Pinot Noirs Under $20, According to Wine Experts

M de Moderato La Cuvée Revolutionnaire DeAlcoholized Merlot-Tannat ($22)

The black currant-y aroma and taste of this French red blend is perfectly appealing, as are the firm (but not aggressive) tannins and brisk (but not searing) acidity. 

Missing Thorn Red ($30)

A small addition of black currant juice gives this alcohol-free Malbec from star winemaker Aaron Pott and vintner Stephanie Honig a rich, juicy flavor; fans of Napa Valley Cabernets will like this one. (Don’t miss their excellent rosé, either.)

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