When I decided to reduce my alcohol intake, one of the first few non-alcoholic drinks I wanted to try was non-alcoholic red wine.
After trying more than 20+ non-alcoholic red wines from different countries and chatting with a few sommeliers, I’ll be the first to admit: many non-alcoholic wines still fall short of replicating the flavors and experience of real wine.
Admittedly, the complexity, depth, and nuances of traditional wine is not easy to replicate in a non-alcoholic wine.
However, some non-alcoholic red wines are better than others, and my favorite non-alcoholic red wine has to be Noughty Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rouge.
There are also other non-alcoholic red wines that deserve a shoutout, so here is my list of the best non-alcoholic red wines that I think come close (or closer) to a real red wine.
Types of Non-Alcoholic Red Wine
You’re not going to find as many types of non-alcoholic red wine as regular red wines, but the popular types of red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are represented.
Here are some of the types of non-alcoholic red wines I’ve seen so far:
- Best Non-Alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon – Surely Cabernet Sauvignon
- Best Non-Alcoholic Merlot – Giesen 0% New Zealand Premium Red
- Best Non-Alcoholic Shiraz – Darling Cellars Shiraz Non Alcoholic Red Wine (UK)
- Best Non-Alcoholic Pinot Noir – Leitz Zero Point Five
Some non-alcoholic red wines also feature a blend of grapes, including Lautus Dealcoholized Red Wine and Studio Null Prickly Red (mix of Tempranillo and Syrah grapes).
My Favorite: Thomson & Scott Noughty Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rouge (Red Syrah)
I love the non-alcoholic sparkling wine by Thomson & Scott, and was excited to see if their non-alcoholic red wine was just as good. Spoiler: It is definitely one of the better-tasting non-alcoholic red wines I’ve tried – if not the best.
This non-alcoholic sparkling rouge is made with Syrah grapes from dryland farmed vineyards in Darling, South Africa.
Overall, I thought this red wine has a well-balanced flavor with hints of ripe red fruit and crushed black pepper. It is definitely a non-alcoholic red wine to try.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Proof No More (within United States) and Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Best For Dry Red Taste: Surely Non-Alcoholic Bubbly Red
The thing I love the most about this non-alcoholic red wine is the dry finish that you usually get from real wine.
The wine does not feel too sweet either, and the presence of tannins and slight bitter notes added depth and complexity to the overall taste profile. This would be a great option for those who like drier red wines.
This non-alcoholic red wine is made from 75% Cabernet and 25% Pinot Noir grapes, blended with a mix of cherry and white grapes concentrate.
Read my full review of Surely Bubbly Red here.
Order online from Surely (within the United States).
Best Merlot: Giesen 0% New Zealand Premium Red (Merlot)
One of the non-alcoholic Merlot that I frequently pair with my meals (especially steaks) is the Giesen 0% New Zealand Premium Red Merlot wine.
This non-alcoholic Merlot smells like wine and taste like wine too. It has a light sweetness with notable oak aroma, and a well spiced body.
Giesen’s non-alcoholic red Merlot has become one of my go-to choices for a satisfying and flavorful wine experience without the alcohol.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within United States).
Best For Value: FRE Wines Cabernet Sauvignon
At $13 a bottle, this non-alcoholic red wine is an affordable non-alcoholic red wine that is packs a nice flavor.
It is made with grapes from California’s wine region and has a light body, and I found the taste of grapes to be the most prominent flavor.
I did enjoy the drinkability of this red wine, even if I found the body and taste to be more like grape juice than wine. That said, the price is almost half of other non-alcoholic red wines, so I’m happy with this bottle.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailer Proof No More (within United States)
Best Low Sugar: Lautus Dealcoholized Red Wine
If you’re watching your sugar intake, I recommend checking out Lautus Dealcoholized Red Wine, a low sugar non-alcoholic red wine.
This dealcoholized red wine is crafted using a blend of 45% Shiraz, 35% Pinotage, 12% Tempranillo, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the cool coastal region of South Africa.
In terms of taste, I found the Lautus Dealcoholized Red Wine to have a pleasant dry and oaky mouthfeel, with just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of tannins.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailer Proof No More (within United States)
Best For Going Out: Jukes Cordialities Number 6 (Red)
I was intrigued by Jukes Cordialities – what a brilliant concept for a alcohol-free wine alternative. Made with only organic ingredients, Jukes Cordialities are drinks based on apple cider vinegar.
Jukes 6 has a red wine flavor profile with hints of red fruit like raspberries, strawberries, and plums.
To turn it into red wine, all you need to do is to mix Jukes 6 with water and voilà. To add some flair, combine the red wine with tonic and non-alcoholic bitters.
Order directly from Jukes Cordialities (within United States).
Leitz Zero Point Five Pinot Noir
Leitz Zero Point Five Pinot Noir is crafted by the renowned winemaker Johannes Leitz, using premium Pinot Noir grapes sourced from the esteemed vineyards of the Rüdesheim region in Germany.
I enjoyed the subtle sweetness and the delicate notes of ripe berries and cherries, which add a layer of complexity that tantalizes the taste buds.
This alcohol-free red wine also tastes good when paired with roasted meats, grilled fish, or lamb.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within United States).
Studio Null Prickly Red
After reading online reviews, I decided to let this wine breathe by leaving it out for the day, and I must say, it was worth it.
Founded in 2021, Studio Null partners with award-winning, family-run vineyards in Europe to create their non-alcoholic wines.
Prickly Red, their non-alcoholic dry red blend, is made from organically-grown Tempranillo and Syrah grapes in Tierra de Toledo, Spain.
The cherry and currant flavor notes were remarkably pronounced when I finally tasted it the next day. The subtle carbonation also added depth to the wine, enhancing its mouthfeel.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailer Boisson (within United States)
Jøyus Non-Alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon
Off the bat, I really enjoyed this non-alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon (after letting it breathe for one day). It has a well-balanced taste that isn’t too sweet, sour, or bitter, and the flavor profile does come close to the classic Red flavor.
That’s why it is not surprising that this red wine has been featured in Forbes and took home the Silver award at San Francisco International Wine Competition 2022, one of the biggest and oldest wine competitions.
This dealcoholized Cabernet Sauvignon is aged on American oak and promises notes of ripe dark berries, aged oak, and undertones of vanilla.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailer Boisson (within United States)
YOURS Non-Alcoholic California Red Blend
This award-winning dealcoholized California red wine is a full-bodied red wine with notes of chocolate, ripe black currant, blackberry, cedar, oak, and vanilla.
I found that it leans more sour than sweet, and the dry finish makes this a pretty good alcohol-free red wine.
As with all wines – both non-alcoholic and alcohol – leave this wine out to breathe for a day. The flavor complexity will improve, and the wine will taste better the next day.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailer Boisson (within United States)
My Tip On Serving Non-Alcoholic Red Wine
Here’s my tip about non-alcoholic red wine: don’t expect it to taste like the real thing. Unlike in beer or even spirits, the presence of alcohol in the wine is still a difficult taste and depth to replace.
Red wines, in particular, lose most of their body after alcohol is removed. That is why non-alcoholic red wines still lack the depth and complex flavors that alcoholic red wines have.
That said, not all non-alcoholic red wines are sugary grape juice mimicking red wine. I recommend judging the non-alcoholic red wine for its flavor notes and not whether it tastes like real wine. Because spoiler: it will not taste like traditional red wine.
Over time, I’ve also realized that the non-alcoholic wines taste better if you leave them to breathe for a day.
So go ahead and try any one of these best non-alcoholic red wine – just remember to open it, let it breathe for a day, then pour a glass the next day.
Also Read: Best Non Alcoholic Rosé Wines – Tasted & Reviewed!