A review of some of my favorite nonalcoholic white wines for patio season
If you're looking to cut back on your drinking and still enjoy a glass of wine during patio season, consider trying an alcohol-removed wine for easy sipping with a fraction of the calories and none of the headache.
Let me be perfectly honest... are these the perfect dupes to "real" white wines? No, that does not exist. You're never going to mistake this for a glass of "real" wine. When you remove the alcohol content it will inevitably change the body, flavor and mouthfeel. So when you try nonalcoholic wines know that you really can't compare apples to apples (or grapes to grapes?), and I suggest going in with an open mind and slightly lowered... actually, let's say altered... expectations.
These wines are lovely and I've really enjoyed sipping on them the past few months, so give them a shot. Please also leave me a comment or message with your favorites as well, I'd love to hear from you!
But first... why is non-alcoholic 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 non-alcoholic 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. This can be done several different ways, all of which are quite expensive. So in order to make a quality non-alcoholic bottle, a winery has to take on all the same costs of grapes, winemaking, labor, and also now alcohol removal AND the marketing of a new product. That's a lot for a winery to take on.
These bottles are all around $20 a pop, which is normally what I'd spend on a decent 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.
Luminara Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay
Personal rating: 7.5/10
Price: $23
For my chardonnay lovers, Luminara is the first-ever alcohol-removed wine made from grapes grown in the Napa Valley appellation. This alcohol-removed Chardonnay carries some of the characteristics that Napa chardonnays are known for, with a palate of Fuji apples and buttery, lemon cream. The finish is clean with just a whipser of oak. My only complaint is the price tag, but you get what you pay for.
Giesen Non-Alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc
Personal rating: 7.0/10
Price: $13
Giesen makes some of my favorite non-alcoholic wines (their brut also made it on my list of sparkling wines), and I believe it's one of the most widely distributed nonalcoholic wines in the United States, so I can often find it at Krogers, PCC and Metropolitan Markets. It has a similar tasting profile to a traditional New Zealand sauvignon blanc. With only 2g of sugar per 5 oz glass, it's light and not overly sweet like many non-alcoholic wines. There's a hint of citrus and nice balance with a crisp finish.
"Noughty" Blanc Nonalcoholic White Wine
Personal rating: 7.5/10
Price: $25
"Noughty" Blanc by Thomas & Scott is very easy sipping. There's an excellent balance of fruitness and acidity, it's crisp and off-dry. At only 25 calories and 3g of sugar per glass, it's an excellent, light choice. I also love the "Noughty" Syrah, reviewed with some of my other favorite nonalcoholic red wines.
Lautus Sauvignon Blanc
Personal rating: 7.5/10
Price: $19
Lautus makes excellent non-alcoholic wines, and I also like that these are available in cans so you don't have to open an entire bottle. On the palate you'll taste a note of lemongrass and green apple, with a very faint minerality and lingering acidity. It's light-bodied and low-sugar, perfect for sunny weather.
Be Well Chardonnay
Personal rating: 6.5/10
Price: $16
Be Well Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay is a decent substitute when skipping the real deal. You can taste a hint of golden delicious apple and honey, and it does have a slightly oaky finish, not quite as prominent as the Luminara. With only 2g of sugar a glass it's not overly sweet and refreshing, though a tad on the watery side.
You can find most of these wines at one of my favorite online shops, The Zero Proof, and enjoy 10% off all purchases with code SOBERISHMOM. Happy clean drinking this spring. Leave me a comment with some of your favorite n/a wines, I'd love to hear from you. Cheers!