If you’re a wine lover seeking a healthier or lighter option to alcoholic wines, you might be intrigued by non-alcoholic wines. But will non-alcoholic wines give you the same texture and body as alcoholic wines, or would they taste like grape juice?
In this Non-Alcoholic Wine 101 guide, we explore tannins in non-alcoholic wine, their role in wine tasting, and answer the question – “Does non-alcoholic wine have tannins?”
What Are Tannins In Wine?
The term “Tannin” has its roots in the ancient Latin word for a tanner, which refers to the utilization of tree bark for the purpose of tanning hide. A phenolic compound naturally found in many types of plants, seeds, oak, and fruit skins, tannins help provide texture and feel to wine (rather than a flavor).
If you’ve ever experienced a puckering or dry sensation that feels like you’re drinking a cup of strong black tea, that’s the sensation of tannins – and it tells you how intense the tannins are in that bottle of non-alcoholic wine.
While tannins are most commonly found in red wine, some white wines have tannins – although the amount of tannins in white wine is considerably much lower.
When producing red wine, the winemaker typically allows the seeds, skin, and stems to ferment alongside the grape juice, resulting in a greater concentration of tannins. In the case of white wine, the winemaker usually separates the seeds, skin, and stems from the grape juice.
Does Non-Alcoholic Wine Have Tannins?
Yes, many non-alcoholic red wines and some non-alcoholic white wines do contain tannins, however at a lower amount than alcoholic wines.
Non-alcoholic wine is made by following traditional wine-making methods, then removing the alcohol from the alcoholic wine. Since non-alcoholic red wine is made like a traditional wine first, it will naturally have tannins.
However, during the alcohol removal stage, some good tannins are also removed in the process. For example, some methods involve heating the wine, which can cause some tannins to break down or evaporate. That is why many non-alcoholic wines still lack the same texture and bitter notes that gives wine its body.
Are Tannins In Wine Healthy?
Yes, tannins in wine are, in fact, good for your health. Tannins are antioxidant and can protect your cells against free radicals, which causes illnesses like cancer and heart disease.
One of the side effects of consuming too many tannins is getting a headache after drinking a non-alcoholic or alcoholic red wine.
It might surprise you to learn that wines, especially red wines, have a high amount of histamines and tannins that cause headaches. The sulfites and added sugar in alcohol-free wines can also contribute to headaches. Our advice is to drink lots of water or take an anti-histamine pill if you’re feeling the onset of a headache.
Also Read: Does Non-Alcoholic Wine Relax You? Here Are The Straight Facts
Conclusion
When we decided to switch from alcoholic to non-alcoholic wine, one of the first things we had to do was adjust our taste expectations and tried to be open-minded.
The absence of alcohol and lesser tannins does mean you won’t get the same depth and mouthfeel you’re used to with an alcoholic wine, but the absence of alcohol also allows you to taste the other flavors better.
Non-alcoholic wine also benefits from decanting and aerating, so we recommend doing so to get the most out of the flavor and aroma. One thing we also do frequently with non-alcoholic wines is to open a bottle a day before consumption, pour out around an ounce of wine, refrigerate the bottle, and consume the remaining wine the following day.
Some non-alcoholic wines failed to impress us, while others were pleasantly wine-like. For some of our recommended wines, check out our list of favorite rosé wines and our recommended non-alcoholic wines that go well with steak.