As non-alcoholic wines become more popular, I get excited when I see companies trying new techniques to make their NA wines taste better and more full-bodied.
I’ve always enjoyed Surely’s non-alcoholic wines and found them tasty, even if they don’t taste exactly like real wine (which is understandable). With their Red Blend wine, Surely is trying to create a more complex and smoky non-alcoholic red wine.
Below, I share my full tasting notes in this Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend review.
A Quick Look At Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend
Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah de-alcoholized red wine and an organic tea blend of Puerh, Lapsang Souchong, and rooibos.
Non-alcoholic red wine often feels thin-bodied and lacks complexity, which Surely is trying to address here with using tea to round out the mouthfeel. They also used French and American Oak blend to reduce the effects of tannins and create a smoother vanilla flavor.
*Disclaimer: We received this wine free in exchange for my honest, unbiased review, with no additional financial compensation involved.
Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend Wine Review
Looks
This non-alcoholic red wine pours a reddish brown color with quite a bit of bubbles from the carbonation. The bubbles leave a white lace along the edge of the wine glass.
Red wines with more intense colors tend to have higher tannins, more bitterness, and dryness. The colors are not as intense here, so I’m not expecting a very bitter and dry non-alcoholic red wine.
Aroma
The initial aroma was a bit of a shock. The wine smelled like barbecue sauce with a smoky-sweet smell.
Thankfully, this aroma became less smoky the longer it sat out. Once the wine was allowed to breathe for a few minutes, I began to smell the rich notes of dark berries, such as blackberries.
There are also some subtle, earthy herbal notes and a bit of pine.
Taste
On the palate, I can taste a mix of smoke, tea, red berries, and a light dryness.
The smoky notes from the aroma come through most strongly for me. But here, the smokiness is balanced out by sweeter notes of berry and black currant.
There are also some mild herbal notes from the added tea, which is a taste I enjoyed as an avid tea drinker. If you don’t like the taste of tea, you might not like having this tea flavor in your wine.
The label mentioned earthy notes of forest floor, but I didn’t detect that in my tasting.
The added puerh, Lapsang Souchong, and rooibos tea is noticeable, and the tea adds a light herbal note to the wine.
Mouthfeel
The body is decidedly light, but I think it avoids the pitfall of being too watery or thin like many non-alcoholic red wines. The mouthfeel is smooth and pleasing.
I also appreciate that it doesn’t leave a coating on my teeth or induce dryness in my mouth, as red wine often does from the tannins.
There’s a subtle hint of carbonation, but just enough to add a delightful zing to each sip.
I’ll be honest, Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend is unlike any alcoholic or non-alcoholic wine I’ve tasted before – but don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate it. I can definitely taste the effort by Surely to create more complex layers to the flavors with the smokiness and tea.
Customer Reviews
It is a real mixed bag of reviews on Surely’s website. Some customers thought the wine had depth and good flavors, while others did not enjoy the smokiness or tea taste.
After having tried the wine for myself, I can see why you will either enjoy this non-alcoholic wine (like I did) or find it undrinkable.
Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend Ingredients
Other ingredients include water, white grape and cherry concentrates, oak extract blend, bourbon vanilla extract, organic ginger root powder, organic ground rosemary, and sulfites (as preservative).
Note: Caffeine is not listed in the nutritional label because there are only trace amounts of less than 5mg per serving (the same as decaffeinated tea).
Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend Calories
A 5oz serving contains 30 calories and 7 grams of carbohydrates, of which 5 grams are sugar.
Final Verdict Of My Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend Review
When I opened the bottle and smelled barbecue sauce, I got worried. I wondered what the heck I was going to be tasting. I know the bottle mentioned smoky notes, but this barbecue smell seemed like overkill.
Imagine my surprise when I took the first sip. The wine was smoky but not overly so. The smokiness gave the flavors body and substance to what is otherwise a light-bodied wine.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this non-alcoholic red wine blend. It’s well-balanced, easy to drink, and complex. Plus, it’s neither overly dry nor overly sweet.
Great For:
- If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic red wine that is quite innovative with the flavors
- If you don’t mind the taste of smokiness in your wine
Not Recommended For:
- Those who like really dry wines with lots of tannins
- If you’re looking for a full-bodied wine, this still feels a little thin
Where to Buy Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend
Customers in the United States can purchase Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend directly from Surely.
Other Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend Wine FAQs
Is Surely Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend Gluten-Free?
Yes, Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend is gluten-free.
Is Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend Vegan?
No, Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend is not vegan-friendly.
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