6 Alcohol-Free Wines That Don’t Taste Like Grape Juice

This article comes to us from Deb Podlogar of Louisville, KY — AKA “Mocktail Mom.” Deb broke up with Chardonnay in December 2020 and started Mocktail Mom to share her love for non-alcoholic drinks. Today, she’s sharing her favorite alcohol-free wines!

(If you are more of a spirits person, Deb lists her top five non-alcoholic spirits, and why, in this article.)

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Before I took a break from alcohol, Chardonnay was my favorite go-to beverage. At the end of 2020, after one too many mornings of waking up with a “mommy wine headache,” I needed a break from my Chardonnay habit. Initially, I found it difficult — especially around 5 p.m. — not to have a glass of wine in my hand. I was accustomed to wine easing me into my evening routine and numbing some of the stress of the day.

It became my mission to find replacement wines I could enjoy while staying true to my newfound alcohol-free lifestyle.

If you’re searching for alcohol-free wine that actually tastes like wine, rather than grape juice dressed up in a wine bottle. Good news. The alcohol-free wine industry is booming.

Non-alcoholic wines must contain less than 0.5 alcohol by volume to be considered alcohol-free. There are many benefits to not drinking, but a few added benefits to non-alcoholic wine is the lower calorie count and the reduced sugar content of many non-alcoholic wines compared to regular wines. Non-alcoholic wines start as full-proof wines but are produced by removing the alcohol from the finished product, either through reverse osmosis or spinning cone columns. A lot of magic goes into creating a decent bottle of dealcoholized wine.

If you’re craving the ritual of a glass of wine without the side effects of alcohol, I have been thrilled to find many great alcohol-free wine options. Here are a few that I highly recommend!

6 Alcohol-Free Wines That Don’t Taste Like Grape Juice

LEITZ

Germany is known for its Riesling wines. The Leitz winery is over 200 years old and known for premium wines, which they use to create Eins Zwei Zero Non-Alcoholic Riesling. This is a lovely alcohol-free wine guaranteed to knock your socks off! This crisp wine has the aroma you’d expect and a slight afterburn of traditional wine. The flavor is satisfying; if you didn’t know this was alcohol-free, you might think this was the conventional Riesling version.

I highly recommend the Riesling for all of my white wine drinkers! Leitz offers a variety of alcohol-free wines that are mid-ranged in price and available in bottles or cans… just in case you need a little pick-me-up on the go! Leitz brand is consistently ranked among the top choices for non-alcoholic wine drinkers.

GIESEN

Giesen’s is a must-try for any wine drinker! One might say there is a bit of a cult following for Giesen’s Dealcoholized Sauvignon Blanc, which is why the New Zealand-based winemaker has invested significantly in their own innovative spinning cone technology to keep up with demand. Giesen offers five varietals of alcohol-free wines: Pinot Grigio, Rosé, Riesling, red blend, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Not only does Giesen have various non-alcoholic options, but they are committed to minimizing its environmental footprint through sustainable wine production. Whether you choose a low or no-alcohol wine, Giesen provides quality wines to be enjoyed day or night. Giesen is widely available at Whole Foods, Total Wine, or on their website.

JOYUS

Joyus is a female-owned company that delights in offering non-alcoholic wines, which have won blind taste test awards against alcoholic wines! Founded by a sober woman, her mission is simple: help people everywhere on their sober journey to celebrate life’s special moments without missing out on any part of the experience.

When it comes to enjoying a good glass of wine, Joyus Wines is a perfect choice. This boutique wine creates exceptional varieties of wines that range from Cabernet Sauvignon to Rosé to sparkling white. Joyus is one of my favorite brands to recommend because I know whoever tries Joyus is guaranteed to be impressed. Joyus is the perfect drink for any occasion. Whether you’re toasting the New Year or enjoying a nice summer day on the lake, there won’t be a single drop left in the bottle! Joyus is available through many retailers or on their website.

SOVI

Sovi is a distinctive alcohol-free wine option for any wine lover. With over 20 years of experience in the wine industry, this husband-wife duo offers various wines. They explain making their wines as “starting with real wine and then removing the alcohol using a technology called vacuum distillation, where the wine is heated to about 85 degrees to gently boil off the alcohol while keeping intact the delicate flavors and aromas. The final product contains less than 0.5% ABV. We do not add any natural or artificial flavors.”

Sovi is available in cans and limited edition reserve bottles. Don’t let the Sovi cans discourage you — they aren’t “lesser than” because they are in a can. The cans are top-notch and voted as some of the favorites among non-alcoholic wine drinkers. Sovi is a perfect alternative if you’re looking to drink less or none at all — a home run when you want to savor wine and skip the alcohol.

LUMINARA

Based out of Napa Valley, Luminara offers two alcohol-removed wines that will blow your taste buds out of the water! Luminara’s Chardonnay and red blend provide a fine-wine experience without the buzz or dreaded hangover. If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic wine that will make your head turn, look no further than Luminara Wines, available here. Luminara is produced by Trinchero Family Estates, a leader in the winemaking business for over 50 years. Luminara is crafted from rich Napa grapes specifically picked for optimal fragrance and taste, providing an outstanding wine experience. With Luminara, you can savor a fine wine without alcohol. I am always thrilled when I find Luminara in a local shop and can snag a bottle!

TEETOTALER WINES

Teetotaler Wines, a Canadian-based company, is owned by a sober woman that offers award-winning, delectable, non-alcoholic wines. A teetotaler is a person who doesn’t drink alcohol — and once you taste Teetotaler Wines, you may not want to drink alcohol again! Fun fact: Teetotaler Wines was my first follower on Instagram when I started sharing mocktails and my alcohol-free journey on social media. Teetotaler Wines are 0.0% alcohol content and include red, white, Rosé, sparkling white, and sparkling Rosé. Teetotaler Wines are gluten-free and halal-certified. This brand is worth trying during your quest to find an alcohol-removed wine that tastes like the real deal.

Curious about an alcohol-free (or alcohol-light) lifestyle? Visit MocktailMom.com to learn more about Deb and her offerings, and check out the Thriving Alcohol-Free with Mocktail Mom podcast.

For Deb’s picks for the best alcohol-free spirits, find her top five HERE.

Photography provided by Deb Podlogar unless otherwise noted.

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