• Privacy Policy
    • Website Disclaimer
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

The Mindful Mocktail

  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • FREE eBook
  • About
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Mocktails
  • Recipe Index
  • Resources
  • Free eBook
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Let's Get Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Mindful Mocktail » Resources » The Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine 2023

    Published: Sep 28, 2022 · Modified: Oct 17, 2022 by Nat · This post may contain affiliate links.

    The Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine 2023

    One of the first questions I had when I decided to take a break from alcohol was - how am I going to find the best non-alcoholic red wine?

    What would I drink with my pasta? Was eating a steak without a red even possible?

    two glasses of red wine with red grapes nearby on a cream background. this recipe

    I went on a mission to find the best tasting non-alcoholic red wine. Let's just say the experience was....frustrating to say the least. I thought it would be fairly simple to find one after finding some excellent alcohol-free white wines, but no siree.

    Ask any winemaker and you'll get the same response - a good dealcoholized red wine is extremely difficult to create. As one winemaker put it to me after I tipped yet another bottle down the sink: 'when you remove the alcohol, you remove the body'.

    And let's face it, most of us red wine drinkers are looking for that robust red, where the flavors explode on your tongue and give way to a beautiful, long lasting finish.

    The good news is red wine alternatives have come a long way in the last 2 years and they are only getting better.

    Below you'll find my reviews for some of the best, and underneath some tips and tricks for having a good non-alcoholic red wine experience.

    The Best Red Wine Without Alcohol

    In no particular order, here are my recommendations:

    Giesen 0% Merlot

    Alcohol: not more than 0.5%

    Calories: 18 calories per 100ml

    Sugar: 1.3g per 100ml

    bottle of giesen non-alcoholic red wine with a white label and black and gold lid.

    Review: Wow she’s a goodie. With a gorgeous deep ruby red hue, this is ideal if you are looking for non-alcoholic Merlot. Light and oaky, it tastes of crushed berries and plum with a lovely dry finish. 

    Giesen also do an incredible alcohol-free Sauvignon Blanc and a Rosé.

    Shop (AU)
    Shop (US)

    Noughty Rouge Syrah

    Alcohol: not more than 0.5%

    Calories: 14 calories per 100ml

    Sugar: 2.5g per 100ml

    bottle of Noughty alcohol free red wine with a bright red label.

    Review: Robust and juicy with tannins - what more could you ask for? This dealcoholized wine is a gorgeous deep red that is perfect for sipping while eating pasta.

    Shop (AU)
    Shop (US)
    Shop (UK)

    Plus & Minus Non-Alcoholic Barossa Shiraz

    Alcohol: not more than 0.5%

    Calories: 13 calories per 100ml

    Sugar: 2.5g per 100ml

    bottle of Plus and Minus non-alcoholic shiraz with a black label and silver writing.

    Review: This wine has an incredible deep ruby shade. It’s bold and earthy with subtle tannins. AND it’s vegan, low sugar and low calories. Could this be the best non-alcoholic Shiraz? Maybe!

    Shop (AU)

    Next destination barossa valley shiraz

    Alcohol: 0.5%

    Calories: 21 calories per 100ml

    Sugar: 2.5g per 100ml

    bottle of Next Destination alcohol-free Shiraz

    Review: With notes of dark chocolate, ripe berries and new french oak, this robust Shiraz is smooth and complex with a dry finish.

    Shop (AU)

    Lautus Savvy Red

    Alcohol: 0.5%

    Calories: 12 calories per 100ml

    Sugar: 2g per 100ml

    red wine bottle with a white label and the brand Lautus written in black across the front.

    Review: Aged in oak for 9-12 months, this wine is made from a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage grapes. It's lovely and dry but still rich and fruity, with a lovely subtle oak finish.

    Shop (AU)
    Shop (US)

    Altina Sansgria

    Alcohol: not more than 0.02%

    Calories: 17 calories per 100ml

    Sugar: 1g per 100ml

    bottle of Altina Sansgria with a wine glass filled almost to the brim on a beige background.

    Review: I'm not sure if I can call this a red wine as such, but this alcohol free Sangria is made with dealcoholized wine from Shiraz grapes and is HEAVENLY.

    With notes of bold red fruit and citrus this sparkling Sangria is lovely and dry and very low in sugar!

    Shop (AU)

    Edenvale Sparkling Shiraz

    Alcohol: not more than 0.5%

    Calories: 38 calories per 100ml

    Sugar: 6.1g per 100ml

    bottle of Edenvale non-alcoholic sparkling shiraz on a white background.

    Review: Fruity, robust and a little spicy, I adore this sparkling shiraz. Yes it is a touch sweet but so is a regular sparkling shiraz. Dad and I make a point of having this with our turkey on Christmas Day - TRUST me - you need to try it!

    Shop (AU)

    Tread Softly alcohol-removed Pinot noir

    Alcohol: not more than 0.5%

    Calories: 13 calories per 100ml

    Sugar: 2.5g per 100ml

    bottle of Tread Softly alcohol-free Pinot Noir on a white background.

    Review: Smooth and full bodied, this wine is earthy and tastes of berries with a lovely dry finish. 

    Shop (AU)

    Lindemans non-alcoholic cabernet sauvignon

    Alcohol: not more than 0.5%

    Calories: 17 calories per 100ml

    Sugar: 3.5g per 100ml

    bottle of Lindemans non-alcoholic cabernet sauvignon on a white background.

    Rich, bold and peppery, this red has firm tannins but is very smooth to drink. It's one of the best non-alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignons on the market.

    Shop (AU)

    The benefits of non-alcoholic red wine

    We've talked about the best-non alcoholic red wine, but what about the benefits? Turns out there are plenty!

    • The biggest benefit of drinking alcohol-free red wine is somewhat obvious - you are avoiding the consumption of alcohol.
    • Many of the best non-alcoholic red wines are also lower in sugar that their alcoholic counterparts - surprising but true!
    • They might be good for your heart. Ever heard that Old Wives Tale that drinking red wine is good for your heart? Sorry to tell you, but that myth has been debunked many times over. Alcohol negates any good that the wine might be doing. But with alcohol removed wine, the health properties of the wine remain, and the booze goes. It's a win-win, right?
    • I might be stating the obvious here, but alcohol-free wine = hangover free mornings - YES!

    Tips and Tricks

    My advice and tips for red wine are:

    • Go in with an open mind. These wines are not going to taste identical to your full bodied Shiraz, so just let go of the idea of what it’s ‘supposed’ to taste like. Adjusting ones expectations is essential!
    • Pair the wine with food - this is where these reds really shine. It’s rare to see me sipping on an alcohol-free red wine the way I would a non-alcoholic sparkling or white. They really do taste best with a meal - I love my reds with pasta, steak and cheese. 
    • Open the wine in advance to let it breathe, just as you would with regular wine. I always open mine the morning of, or the night before. I heard a winemaker suggest going so far as to lightly blending your red to air it. I've never done it myself, but I'll try anything once!
    • If you are going to stray from my list above, I'd recommend looking for words like 'alcohol-removed wine' or 'dealcoholized wine'. These terms indicate that the wine is in fact, wine. It's likely it has been through the entire winemaking process, and had the alcohol removed at the end. Check the label - if a large % of the contents is grape juice - that's probably what it will taste like!
    • I've spoken to people who swear by adding a few drops of balsamic vinegar or bitters to alcohol-free reds to increase the body and depth of flavor - definitely something to try before tipping it down the sink! On that note, don't forget you can always make a non-alcoholic mulled wine if all else fails.

    I hope the above has been helpful in choosing the best non-alcoholic red wine.

    Questions or comments? Leave them below and I'll answer them for you!

    « Can You Drink Wine While Pregnant?  The Facts
    The Best Non Alcoholic White Wines 2023 »
    Previous Post: « Can You Drink Wine While Pregnant?  The Facts
    Next Post: The Best Non Alcoholic White Wines 2023 »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caryl Redmond says

      November 15, 2022 at 12:47 am

      Have you heard about the wine called "WIN"? It is a white wine, alcohol removed. The best I've had. I live in the Phoenix area. Any comments for me?

      Reply
      • Nat says

        December 18, 2022 at 2:32 pm

        Hey there Caryl, I haven't heard of it! I'll have to see if I can track it down on my end.
        Cheers
        Nat

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome! I'm Nat. It can be tricky to find alcohol alternatives that are healthy and delicious. I bring you nutritional mocktail recipes and inspiration so you can still have fun, enjoy the celebration, and bounce out of bed the next day, feeling fresh and energized.

    More about me →

    Popular recipes

    • sunrise mocktail in champagne glass garnished with a cherry with pomegranate and orange in the background
      Sunrise Mocktail
    • piña colada mocktail in a cocktail glass garnished with a pineapple wedge on a grey and white marble backdrop
      Piña Colada Mocktail Recipe With Only 3 Ingredients
    • 2 red mocktails in martini glasses rimmed with salt and lime on a wooden board with Christmas decorations
      Virgin Cosmopolitan Mocktail
    • red frozen drink in a coupe glass with 3 strawberries to garnish
      The Best Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri

    Summer mocktails

    • ginger mojito mocktail in a glass jar garnished with cucumber ribbons, lime wheels and a silver straw
      Ginger Mojito Mocktail Nonalcoholic
    • several glass of watermelon fresca garnished with mint, lime and watermelon, with lime rounds in the background.
      Watermelon Agua Fresca
    • ginger beer mocktail in a pink coloured glass garnished with a purple flower and pineapple slice with a blue flower in the background.
      Ginger Beer Mocktail
    • 2 blue drinks in round glasses sitting on a light wooden board with a yellow cloth, garnished with purple and blue orchids
      The Best Blue Lagoon Mocktail

    Welcome! I'm Nat. It can be tricky to find alcohol alternatives that are healthy and delicious. I bring you nutritional mocktail recipes and inspiration so you can still have fun, enjoy the celebration, and bounce out of bed the next day, feeling fresh and energized.

    More about me →

    Popular recipes

    • sunrise mocktail in champagne glass garnished with a cherry with pomegranate and orange in the background
      Sunrise Mocktail
    • piña colada mocktail in a cocktail glass garnished with a pineapple wedge on a grey and white marble backdrop
      Piña Colada Mocktail Recipe With Only 3 Ingredients
    • 2 red mocktails in martini glasses rimmed with salt and lime on a wooden board with Christmas decorations
      Virgin Cosmopolitan Mocktail
    • red frozen drink in a coupe glass with 3 strawberries to garnish
      The Best Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri

    Summer mocktails

    • ginger mojito mocktail in a glass jar garnished with cucumber ribbons, lime wheels and a silver straw
      Ginger Mojito Mocktail Nonalcoholic
    • several glass of watermelon fresca garnished with mint, lime and watermelon, with lime rounds in the background.
      Watermelon Agua Fresca
    • ginger beer mocktail in a pink coloured glass garnished with a purple flower and pineapple slice with a blue flower in the background.
      Ginger Beer Mocktail
    • 2 blue drinks in round glasses sitting on a light wooden board with a yellow cloth, garnished with purple and blue orchids
      The Best Blue Lagoon Mocktail

    Copyright © 2023 ·

    78 shares