A review of some of my favorite non-alcoholic wines to serve with Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving dinner can be a tricky one to pair wines with. How do you find something that complements Grandma’s green bean casserole, turkey meat, bright cranberry sauce, rich gravy, and creamy desserts? If you’re wondering which ones to lean towards, I recommend selecting non-alcoholic wines that go with a wide range of flavors as opposed to specific dishes. I’ve found the best options are often light and bright, such as a Pinot Noir or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. A dry bubbly can also get you through most dishes and dessert, and the sparkling wines are often less disappointing than still wines (it’s amazing what carbonation can hide).
In general, I tend to prefer dealcoholized wines (wines that have been fermented and produced in a traditional wine-making process, then have had the alcohol removed), versus wine-adjacents made of teas, herbs and botanicals. Make sure you check your labels for sugar content and for “Dealcoholized Wine” as the first ingredient.
But first... why is non-alcoholic wine so damn expensive?
When I 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 whatever they ask to be able to enjoy a nice glass of nonalcoholic wine and keep me on track drinking less. 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, it was also about the ritual. I love having something tasty in my glass during happy hour, or at a party where everyone around me is drinking. Having a replacement for the alcohol has really helped me on my mindful drinking journey.
The similarity in price is because the production costs remain the same, if not more, for quality 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, which is done with very expensive technology. So you're talking about all the costs of grapes, making wine, labor, and also marketing a new, alcohol-free product. That's a lot for a winery to take on.
Most of these bottles run about $25 (though there is one stellar outlier) and are a lovely bottle to serve to your guests on holidays.
Best Non-Alcoholic White Wines for Thanksgiving
Lautus Nonalcoholic Chardonnay
Buttery wines are discouraged because the oakiness can overpower and clash with many dishes, so look for an unoaked, crisp white. This one has good body & balance, making it a bit more substantial than many “juice-like” wines in the category, and is a lovely complement to a rich dinner. $20 at The Zero Proof
Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Non-Alcoholic Riesling
While Rieslings tend to have a bad rap as being overly sweet, this one from Leitz is clean and crisp with notes of citrus and green apple with a dry finish. I discovered it when Canlis made it the first nonalcoholic wine on their James Beard-Awarded wine list. $18 at The Zero Proof
Noughty AF Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine
Who doesn’t love a celebratory glass of bubbles on a holiday? A dry sparkling wine is perfect for appetizers and can work alongside many Thanksgiving dishes. This is one of my favorite nonalcoholic bubbles, made from 100% Chardonnay grapes out of Spain. The flavor is lovely with delicate notes of apples, citrus and a slight minerality. It has a great mouthfeel with those tiny little bubbles we love. A top recommendation and crowd-pleaser. $22 at The Zero Proof
Saint Viviana Non-Alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc
At only 10 calories and 2g of sugar a glass this is an incredibly zesty and crisp white option to serve with food. It’s quite dry with a hint of peach, apple, and a tart finish. It was recently voted one of the “Best Nonalcoholic White Wines” by Wine Enthusiast. Serve it ice cold and it won’t overpower your dishes or leave you with a raging headache the next day. $22 at The Zero Proof or Amazon
Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wines for Thanksgiving
Leonis Blend by Zeronimo
Buckle up, because this is one of the best nonalcoholic wines I’ve tried this year - hell, maybe ever. Leonis is dealcoholized from a 98-pt wine and was just voted one of the “Best Nonalcoholic Red Wines” by Wine Enthusiast. After my first sip I was shocked by the complexity and structure of the flavor profile. This dry, multi-layered wine features notes of dark berry, a nice earthiness and oak spice. While not a light red I would immediately think to pair with Thanksgiving, it would work well with so many dishes and is a special occasion bottle that would be perfect shared among friends and family. The only question is, are you willing to pay the price for old world vines, without the buzz? $70 Ocean Beach Brands
Leitz Non-Alcoholic Pinot Noir
This one is a crowd pleaser with bright red fruit, subtle tannins and a slight earthiness - a refreshing change from many of the overly-sweet dealcoholized reds. It’s quite light but does well with a few dashes of non-alcoholic bitters (see note below). $20 at The Zero Proof
I tend to lean towards dealcoholized wines as opposed to "wine-adjacents" that are often made from juices, teas and herbs. However I really enjoyed the NON Wines and this one is lovely with soft notes of raspberries, chamomile, and a hint of salt. It's fun for cocktail hour or desserts, though not quite right for the main dishes. #3 "Toasted Cinnamon & Yuzu" is also perfect for fall flavors. It feels slightly overpriced at $30 a bottle considering it's not made from dealcoholized wine (a very expensive process that in my mind helps justify the cost), but a lovely substition. $30 at Non.com
The Secret to Improving Non-Alcoholic Wine...
If you try a bottle of wine that just isn't hitting right, I suggest adding a few dashes of non-alcoholic bitters to your glass. For an overly-sweet red, Aromatic Bitters by All The Bitter can help cut the juiciness while adding additional spice and depth. For a wine that's just a little meh, try a few dashes of New Orleans Style Bitters to give the glass more complexity. The Orange Bitters work well in white wines and these are also one of my favorite bar cart items, as a Bitters + Soda is a delicious pre-dinner drink. $28 for a sample set.
Happy clean drinking! Use code SoberishMom for 10% off at The Zero Proof, where you can find most of my favorite wines. *Please note that this post includes affiliate links, 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.
Watch me review these wines on my Instagram and as always, leave me a comment with your favorite alcohol-free drinks, I'd love to hear from you.
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