A review of some of my favorite nonalcoholic red wines (and ones to skip)
One of the most frequent requests I get is for a list of the best nonalcoholic red wines. It's one of the trickiest categories of nonalcoholic products and can be the most disappointing. I've thrown a lot of red wine down the drain this year, and hopefully you won't have to after reading this list.
But before we jump in, I'll shoot you straight... are these the perfect dupes to "real" wines? No. That does not exist, and you're not going to trick anyone into thinking these are the same as alcohol. When you remove the alcohol content it inevitably changes the body and flavor. So when you try nonalcoholic wines know that you really can't compare apples to apples (or grapes to grapes?), but these are some delicious ones that actual scratch the wine itch for me. And when you approach nonalcoholic wines I suggest going in with an open mind and slightly lowered... actually, let's say altered... expectations.
Here are the best nonalcoholic red wines on the market in 2024 (including a list of all nonalcoholic red wines I've tried that didn't make the list).
But first... why is nonalcoholic wine so damn expensive?
When I first started experimenting with non-alcoholic wines I was outraged at how expensive they were. I wondered if it was really worth it to pony up on a bottle without the buzz. But now I will happily pay the same amount to enjoy a nice glass of nonalcoholic wine every once in awhile. I figure what I spend avoiding booze I gain back tenfold in health benefits. I also realized that for me, it wasn't just about the buzz. I truly love and appreciate a delicious wine, and I also like to have something tasty during happy hour or at a party where everyone around me is drinking. It has really helped me stay on track drinking less.
The similarity in price is mainly because the production costs remain the same, if not more, for alcohol-removed wines. Vintners use the same initial winemaking production process as they do with regular wine. However, then production involves one additional element: the removal of the alcohol. So you're talking about all the costs of grapes, making wine, labor, and also now marketing a new alcohol-free product. That's a lot for a winery to take on.
These bottles are all around $25 a pop, which was normally what I'd spend on an average bottle. A quality non-alcoholic wine that tastes equivalent to its alcoholic counterpart must use quality ingredients and sophisticated winemaking techniques. And since I'm looking for something that tastes (almost) as good as the real stuff, the cheapskate in me has to take a back seat on this one.
My No. 1 Wine Tip
One hack to improve the flavor and complexity of non-alcoholic wine is to throw a few dashes of bitters in it. If you don't mind .5% alcohol you can use bartender's bitters, or I enjoy a fully non-alcoholic one from All The Bitter. Use the Aromatic or New Orleans for reds, and the Orange Bitters for whites. Start with 3-4 dashes and stir before enojying.
Oddbird GSM Blend
Personal rating: 8/10
Price: $25 Found at The Zero Proof (code Soberishmom saves 10% off any order*)
Oddbird is one of my favorite non-alcoholic wine producers because of the craft that goes into every bottle. Their winemaking process includes sourcing high-quality grapes and letting the wine mature for up to 12 months before the dealcoholization process begins. The GSM Red (Greancge, Syrah, Mouvedre) has layers of dark fruit, is well-balanced with good body and tannin structure for a non-alcoholic red wine.
Noughty AF Rouge
Personal rating: 7.5/10
Price: $26 Found at The Zero Proof (Soberishmom discount code*)
Rated one of the best nonalcoholic wines by the New York Times, this is one of the closests dupes you'll find to red wine. Noughty AF Wines are among my favorite producers (both their sparking rose and brut are delicious as well), so Noughty is brand you can trust. This dealcoholized syrah is a smooth, medium-bodied red that exhibits ripe, juicy fruit without being overly sweet. There is no added sugar or juice, and it has a bit of a dry finish making it fairly well-balanced. An easy sipper and one I'd proudly serve at a dinner party to friends.
Saint Viviana Cabernet Sauvignon
Personal rating: 7/10
Price: $24
Found online at The Zero Proof (code Soberishmom for 10% off*)
This isn't your typical big, full-bodied glass of cabernet sauvignon, though I was pleasantly surprised by the firm tannic structure and finish. It's dry and quite tart, with notes of black currant and baking spices, balanced nicely with a slight oakiness. One of the healthiest nonalcoholic red wines I've tried, it's only 10 calories and 1g of sugar per 8 oz pour so it has a fairly thin mouthfeel, but you can drink freely and guilt-free.
Carl Jung Merlot
Personal rating: 7/10
Price: $25
Found at Cheeky & Dry in Seattle
One of the oldest non-alcoholic wine producers, Carl Jung n/a wines have been produced in Germany since 1903. I was excited to find this bottle at the newly-opened Cheeky & Dry Bottle Shop in Seattle, and their owner recommended I try it. It's lovely with notes of blackberry and a hint of spice. It's velvety smooth and quite mellow without much body, something pretty typical in non-alcoholic reds. The finish is mild and off-dry, a delicious glass to enjoy.
Leitz Zero Pinot Noir Red Wine
Personal rating: 7/10
Price: $18
Found at The Zero Proof (Soberishmom for 10% off*)
A bright and fruit-forward pinot noir with a tannic body. Good balanced acidity, though a little thin in the middle. With less than 5g of sugar per glass and coming in under $20 per bottle, this is one I will happily drink with a few dashes of bitters.
Lautus Savvy Red Wine
Personal rating: 7.5/10
Price: $20
Found at The Zero Proof (Soberishmom for 10% off*)
I was very impressed by this red blend from Lautus. The wine is aged for 9-12 months in oak barrels before being twice passed through a gentle spinning cone technology: once to capture and preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors, and again to remove the alcohol content.
With a supple red-fruit palate and fine tannins, this red is not too sweet and has an excellent mouthfeel with a dry finish.
Nonalcoholic red wines I've sampled in the past year but wouldn't personally repurchase:
Allay Cabernet Sauvignon
Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon
Buzzkill Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Diana Cabernet Sauvignon
Epic Pursuit Red Blend Fre Merlot
Fre Red Blend
NoAlchCo Cabernet Sauvignon
Surely Red Wine
Tethos Black Tea Shiraz
Use code SoberishMom for 10% off any order (doesn't have to be your first one) at The Zero Proof, where you can find most of my favorite wines. *Please note that this is an affiliate link, which means at zero cost to you I will make a couple bucks if you use my code at checkout, which helps me keep the account running. Affiliate programs do not impact my reviews and recommendations.
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