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Let’s be honest. Most non-alcoholic wine has a reputation slightly worse than aeroplane coffee. But the category has grown up fast, and some Australian producers are now making zero-alcohol drinks we would happily pour for guests. No pity pours required.
Whether you are doing Dry July, driving, pregnant, or just fancy a clear head tomorrow, here are the bottles that pass the Giggly Grapes taste test.
Our verdict (for the impatient)
🏆 Best overall: Altina sparkling range. Delicate, dry, properly grown-up bubbles. Made in Australia Check today's price →
🍷 Best red: Edenvale Sparkling Shiraz. Real Shiraz character, pink frothy bubbles Check today's price →
💪 Best for red wine diehards: Plus and Minus range. The most tannic, proper-red feel of the zero-alc bunch Check today's price →
First, how is non-alcoholic wine made?
Most zero-alcohol wines start life as normal wine, then have the alcohol removed gently, usually by vacuum distillation or spinning cone. Some, like Altina’s creations, are built from scratch with botanicals and fruit instead. Both approaches can work. What matters is the glass in front of you.
One honest note: alcohol carries flavour and body, so zero-alc wine will never be identical to the real thing. The good ones get surprisingly close, and the great ones stop you caring.
1. Altina Drinks: best overall
Altina Drinks sparkling range
Canberra-based Altina makes award-winning alcohol-free drinks that do not pretend to be something they are not. Their sparkling range is the star: delicate, dry, and smooth, with lovely aromatics. These are drinks designed for a wine glass and a proper occasion.
- Australian made
- Genuinely dry, not sugary
- Beautiful bottles that gift well
- Vegan and low sugar
- Not trying to mimic specific wine styles
2. Edenvale Sparkling Shiraz: best red
Edenvale Sparkling Shiraz
A sparkling Shiraz with no alcohol sounds like a dare, but Edenvale pulls it off. There are real Shiraz hints here, with soft berry fruit and cheerful pink froth. Less than 0.5% alcohol, and one of the most reliable names in the category. Curious why it tastes sweeter? Read our guide to residual sugar in wine.
- Tastes recognisably of Shiraz
- Widely available
- Crowd-pleasing at barbecues
- A touch sweeter than the full-strength version
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Send me the e-book →3. Plus & Minus: best for red wine diehards
Plus & Minus range
Plus & Minus adds grape seed extract to boost antioxidants, and their reds have the most tannic grip of anything we tasted. If your complaint about zero-alc reds is that they all taste like juice, start here.
- Proper dry, tannic structure
- Added antioxidants
- Full range from Prosecco-style to Shiraz
- That tannic dryness can surprise people expecting soft and sweet
The calorie bonus
Here is a happy side effect: removing the alcohol removes most of the calories. A standard glass of red is about 125 kcal; most zero-alc wines land around 15 to 30 kcal a glass. Plug your own numbers into our Wine Calorie Calculator and prepare to feel smug.
Frequently asked questions
Is non-alcoholic wine completely alcohol free?
Usually not. Most contain under 0.5% ABV, about the same as a very ripe banana. Truly 0.0% options exist and are labelled as such. If you are avoiding alcohol entirely, for pregnancy or any other reason, check the label and ask your doctor what is right for you.
Why is non-alcoholic wine not cheaper than wine?
Because it is normal wine plus an extra process. Removing alcohol costs money. Annoying but true.
How should I serve it?
Exactly like wine. Right glass, right temperature. Treat it well and it tastes better, treat it like cordial and it tastes like cordial.
Does it need an excuse?
Never. Though if you want one anyway, we keep a full list of excuses to open a bottle, and every single one works alcohol-free.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It keeps the wine flowing and the reviews honest.
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