Alcohol-free wine starts as ordinary wine. After fermentation the alcohol is gently removed, leaving at most 0.5%, or virtually nothing in the case of 0.0%. The flavour is lighter than ordinary wine. White and bubbles usually work better than red.
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Sometimes you would rather skip the alcohol: during Sober October or Dry January, when you have to drive, or when you want a glass of wine without the consequences.
How is alcohol-free wine made?
It is not grape juice. First, ordinary wine is made, including fermentation. Then the alcohol comes out. Because body disappears too, the wine is sometimes topped up with grape must.
Vacuum distillation
The wine is heated under low pressure, so the alcohol evaporates at a low temperature.
Spinning cone
A spinning column separates aromas and alcohol. The aromas then go back into the wine.
Reverse osmosis
A membrane separates the alcohol from the rest of the wine.
Alcohol-free, 0.0% or low-alcohol?
0.0%
Virtually no alcohol
Alcohol-free in the full sense.
Alcohol-free
At most 0.5%
Very little alcohol, legally alcohol-free.
Low-alcohol
More than 0.5%
Partly dealcoholised, less than ordinary wine.
Since a European change in 2021, dealcoholised wines may also be labelled as wine. Check the label if you want to drink with no alcohol at all, for example during pregnancy, and ask a doctor or midwife for advice if you are unsure.
Bubbles
Carbon dioxide gives texture and freshness. This is often the best place to start.
White and rosé
Fresh, fruity styles lose less than heavy wines.
Red
Harder, because tannin and body are difficult to keep. Choose a light, fruity example.
How to get the most from your glass
Serve it cold, at 6 to 8 degrees.
Use a proper wine glass, so you can smell the aromas.
Acidity and fruit show better with a meal.
It is not identical to ordinary wine, but a category of its own.
A good glass helps. See our article on wine glasses.
Some bottles are sweeter because of added must. So it is not automatically healthier. You can read more about wine and health in Is red wine healthy?.
Only when it is truly alcohol-free
Taste without alcohol
We only show wines with at most 0.5% alcohol here. If nothing appears, that section is not there yet.
Alcohol-free at OnlyWines is coming soon. Until then we do not show ordinary wine under this heading.
Frequently asked questions
Is there really no alcohol in alcohol-free wine?
At 0.0%, virtually none. Alcohol-free means at most 0.5%. Check the label if you want no alcohol at all.
How does alcohol-free wine taste?
Lighter and less full than ordinary wine, because alcohol gives body and warmth. Bubbles and white wine usually taste best. Red wine is harder.
How is alcohol-free wine made?
First, ordinary wine is made, then the alcohol is removed with a gentle technique, such as vacuum distillation or reverse osmosis.
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