Over the years I have tried many alcohol-free wines and have always been a bit disappointed. They either tasted too sweet and fruity, or thin and bitter. However, with the new health and wellness trend sweeping the globe, some wineries have invested more money and new technology into creating some alcohol-free wines that actually taste delicious. Here are five that I’ve recently tasted that I continue to purchase on my own and enjoy. Please note that portions of this article were previously published in Forbes.com.
Growth of Alcohol-Free Wines
There are many reasons that consumers decide to enjoy an alcohol-free (AF) wine on occasion. It could be due to health reasons, a big event the next day that calls for a clear head or being selected as the designated driver. Whatever the reason, recent research has shown that 41% of Americans are trying to drink less alcohol, including wine.
This may be why U.S. sales of non-alcoholic wine grew 27.2% in 2024, on top of a 30% increase the previous year, according to NielsenIQ—albeit from a very small base of less than 1.5% of the market. However, the global AF wine market was reputed to hit $2.57 billion in revenues in 2024 and is predicted to reach $6.9 billion by 2034, according to Fact.MR research reports.
Developing A Great Tasting Alcohol-Free Wine
However, one big challenge for the wine industry is creating an AF wine that tastes similar to traditional wine. The beer industry has been successful in achieving this with brands like Heineken 0.0 and Athletic, but many AF wines are either too sweet (produced primarily from grape juice) or too thin, bitter, and lacking flavor (when the alcohol is stripped from the finished wine).
“There’s a fairly widespread negative attitude among wine professionals to the idea of dealcoholizing wine. When talking about it, I’ve grown used to seeing eyes roll and to having people even refuse to taste,” stated Robert Joseph, founder of the Wine Thinker and an international wine business consultant, in an online interview.
“Many people’s view of the category is that they’ve had bad ones and can’t imagine them being good,” he continued. “Wine has only just begun this journey, but technology is improving and progress is being made quickly.”
One person who agrees that the technology to produce AF wine is improving is Mark Garaventa, General Manager of Rack & Riddle Custom Crush Wine Production in California.
“This segment is still emerging but growing rapidly, without cannibalizing traditional sparkling and still wine sales. We see tremendous growth opportunities! With our new partner, Solos, and their patented aroma-capture technology, we can now offer non-alcoholic sparkling wines that deliver the aromas, flavors, and mouthfeel of traditional products,” he reported in an online interview.
As a professional wine judge for more than 15 years, I have to agree that the technology to produce AF wines is finally getting better. Over the past year, I have had a chance to taste over 40 different alcohol-free wines, and have discovered that some sparkling AF wines can achieve the aromas, taste profile, and satisfying mouthfeel of a traditional sparkling wine. Adding bubbles to give the wine more texture—just like non-alcoholic beers do—seems to be part of the answer.
Some still white AF wines can also be satisfying, especially the lighter, more aromatic varietals, such as muscat, riesling and sauvignon blanc. However, I have yet to find an AF red wine that can imitate a traditional red wine in aroma, flavor and texture.
Five Alcohol-Free Wines To Try Now
Following are five alcohol-free wines that are worth seeking out. Most are only available online, though a couple are starting to show up in fine wine shops and gourmet grocers. The average price per bottle shown here is derived from online shopping sites, but the actual price may vary by location.
#1) Bolle Blanc De Blancs Sparkling Alcohol-Free Wine
Pale straw color with streaming bubbles and a nose of delicate lemon and hints of brioche; reminiscent of real Champagne. The palate opens to notes of fresh apple, lemon zest, and a hint of minerality. The wine offers a surprisingly weighty mouthfeel with a swirl of elegant bubbles and concludes with a long, satisfying finish. Amazingly Champagne like for a non-alcoholic wine. Made with chardonnay and Sylvaner grapes from Spain, double fermented. $30, 93 points.
(Note: The Bolle Sparkling Rose (92 points) is equally good, and is made in a similar fashion, but with pinot noir and chardonnay grapes.)
#2) Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Sparkling Rose Alcohol-Free Wine
Lovely salmon color with a nose of ripe strawberries and red cherries. The palate opens to notes of ripe raspberries with a dash of lemon; medium-bodied with delicate bubbles, and a medium-long, dry finish with a touch of sweetness. Fun and delectable. $26, 92 points
(Note: The Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Riesling Alcohol-Free wine (89 points) and the Sparkling Riesling Alcohol-Free (90 points) are also enjoyable to try.)
#3) French Bloom ‘Le Blanc’ Organic Sparkling Alcohol-Free Wine
Made with organic chardonnay grapes from France, it is a pale gold with tiny bubbles and a nose of pear, citrus, and a hint of floral. Light and delicate on the palate, it has notes of ripe golden apples and hints of spicy tangerine. Winner of the World’s Best AF Sparkling Wine at the 2023 World Sparkling Awards. $39, 92 points
#4) Giesen Pinot Grigio Alcohol-Free Wine
A golden yellow color with a nose of ripe pear, honeydew and a hint of white flowers. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and fleshy with rich pear, golden apple, and a lemon-lime, slightly sweet finish. Very satisfying and better with food. Made with sustainable pinot grigio grapes from New Zealand. $13, 89 points.
(Note: Many people also enjoy the Giesen Sauvignon Blanc Alcohol-Free wine with its herbal, grassy and fresh citrus notes.)
#5) Loosen Bros. Dr. Lo Alcohol-Removed Riesling
Pale straw color with a classic riesling nose of white peach, citrus, and a hint of petrol. On the palate, it has a light delicate mouthfeel with ripe pear, peach, lemon zest, and a hint of sweetness. Simple and enjoyable. Made with 100% riesling grapes from the Mosel region of Germany. $17, 88 points
More new AF wine brands are hitting the market every day. Following are a few others to consider: Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay, Chavin Pierre Zero Signature Sparkling Rose, Le Grand Noir Grenache Blanc-Chardonnay 0.0, Sea Monsters Tidal Wave White, Seaglass Pinot Grigio, Cheeky Sparkling Rose, One of One Cabernet Sauvignon and Luminara Chardonnay.