All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative. There’s a slightly fizzy mouthfeel, which provides a little interest, and helps to add to the sensation of drinking a full strength product. The best low and no-alcohol wines, fizz and spirits — cut your units with the wine critic’s picks Jane MacQuitty Friday January 01 2021, 12.00pm , The Times Delicious. There’s sparkling and rosé wines to choose from, but our pick is the riesling. WIGIG. Fritz Müller Zero Alcohol Frizzante, Germany 2017 (£10.99, Virgin Wines)If one way of compensating for the lack of mouthfeel in non-alcoholic wines is to add sugar, another is to have bubbles. What exactly is considered low alcohol wine, you ask? The Changing Nature of Wine. Aromatic honeysuckle, ripe juicy peach … Sauvignon blanc is a good low-alcohol candidate because its punchy, intense flavors and aromas always show up, though experiments removing alcohol through technology such as … It’s sweet, but has the complexity to carry it off, with hints of peach, pear, rhubarb, and a little dryness towards the finish, alongside a lingering hint of lime. But first, what makes a low-alcohol wine low-alcohol, you ask? Thick, full, not overly sweet, and with a hint of raspberry and a little strawberry, this easy drinker is ripe for summer. Not much lower in alcohol than a conventional wine, although low for a shiraz, this has most of the flavour and weight of the full-strength version. All rights reserved. Learn more about our range of Low Alcohol - Wine Raise a glass to our pick of the best. You can trust our independent reviews. These wines are all lower alcohol, with nothing over 11% ABV for whites and 12% ABV for reds. A wine without alcohol is missing other elements besides the buzz. Les Nivières Saumur, Loire, France 2018 (£9.49, Waitrose)Until quite recently, an alcohol of 12.5% would have been considered about average for a red wine. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set. Better known for its beer and spirits, Southwold-based Adnams sources grapes from Spain to make its range of low-strength wines. From Portugal’s cooler, greener north, vinho verde is a useful style … Simply Riesling NV, Germany £4.79, Tesco, 10.5% alcohol Cheap and very drinkable, this German riesling makes an ideal patio lunch wine. Forrest reckons the very best you can do is drop around 5% abv to the EU minimum level – as he does in his own The Doctors’ wines – before you lose that texture and the effects of what he calls the “secondary chemical interactions” of alcohol in wine, from the feel of the tannins to the complexity of its aromas. Earn Clubcard points when you shop. Best low alcohol wines – Rose. The Doctors’ wines, by contrast, stand out by maintaining a voluptuous mouthfeel at sub-10% abv without recourse to excessive sugar. The low alcohol wine market isn’t quite as developed – but there are still some great options on offer. Generally, it’s one with an alcohol by volume (ABV) content of 13 percent or less. LEH Cabernet Sauvignon ABV 0%. Better known for its beer and spirits, Southwold-based Adnams sources grapes from Spain to make its range of low-strength wines. Available for everyone, funded by readers. But, if we’re looking to cut down on alcohol but not on wine, we shouldn’t get too hung up on sugar. Adnams says it uses state-of-the-art spinning cone technology to remove alcohol from full-strength wine, in the gentlest way possible, retaining the aromatics and flavour. Mind & Body Wines is a new brand that creates products that are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, keto-friendly, paleo-friendly and low in alcohol and calories. There’s a little sharpness towards the finish and a lingering dryness. We enjoyed it in a non-alcoholic spritz when mixed with a de-alcoholised vermouth. Whether your taste leans towards whites, reds, rosés, or even sparkling wines, there’s an alcohol-free option for you. These 11 wines are low on alcohol, topping out at just 12% abv, yet still packed with flavor. Not according to the European Union it can’t. “Albariño is my favorite low-alcohol wine. Vale dos Pombos Vinho Verde, Portugal 2018 (£6, The Co-op)From Portugal’s cooler, greener north, vinho verde is a useful style to get to know if you’re looking for lower alcohol: this example clocks in at 9.5%, and its slight spritz and exuberant orange citrus and tropical fruit tang is moreishly refreshing. Whereas some alternative rosés can be overly perfumed and sweet, this balances delicate notes of strawberry and citrus with a crisp finish and lightly spritzed fine bubbles. The wines are no less fragrant or flavourful, but they contain lower alcohol content. {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, 9 best non-alcoholic and low alcohol wines for Dry January, Sustainable and organic kids' clothing brands, Paraben and sulphate free shampoo & conditioner, 14 best alcohol-free beers to rival the real thing, Dry January: The non-alcoholic drinks that taste like the real deal, 13 best low and alcohol-free spirits for dry January, 8 best vegan cookbooks to help you go meat and dairy free in 2021, Thomson & Scott Noughty alcohol free organic sparkling wine. This gorgeous, tingling, finely detailed example has a spicy mandarin and mineral zip. McGuigan Zero Sauvignon Blanc, No Alcohol Wine, Australia, 75cl (Case of 6) Gooseberry, Citrus, Refreshing White Wine 3.7 out of 5 stars 6 £32.54 £ 32 . For those of us looking to cut down on booze, it’s more urgently about aesthetics: can a wine without alcohol ever really taste, in any meaningful sense, like wine? Not all zero- or low-alcohol wines have had their soul removed. Offer outstanding value, this delicate rosé is fruity, zesty and moreish. Ripples of cassis and cocoa emerge through the palate for a complex, food-loving treat. Pair with grilled chicken, prawns or salad. A great brunch accompaniment, it pairs well with smoked salmon. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing. SHOP NOW. Here’s a more rational (or, at least, more enticing) response to Christmas’s excess: rather than a dry January, here’s to more of a month of off-dry German riesling. Now it’s very much on the lighter side, although there’s no lack of graphite-etched red- and blackcurranty fruit in this cabernet franc. Whether your taste leans towards a red, white, rosé or sparkling vino, there’s an alternative option to suit, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, We looked for products that are satisfying, have enough complexity to be intriguing, and crucially, that we’d be happy to drink more than one glass of. Ebony Vale Alcohol Free, Chardonnay, German, White Wine 75cl 0 in trolley 4.1 out of 5 stars (19) Or for something more simple, add mineral water and crushed mint. It’s just that they’re already starting from a position that is much closer to zero. Tangy, zesty and full-bodied, this sips like some of our favourite rieslings. Delivery 7 days a week. This means that the wine retains its flavour and gives you then gentle bubbles you’d expect from a sparkling wine. Low alcohol white wine. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent. BEST BUY: Dr Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese, Mosel, Germany 2018 (£24.99, or £21.99 as part of a mix six, majestic.co.uk)Regularly clocking in below 8%, the best off-dry and medium-sweet German rieslings are among the world’s finest white wines. ‘Low-alcohol drinks’ refers to drinks which have an ‘alcoholic strength by volume’ (ABV) of between 0.05 and 1.2%, whereas ‘reduced alcohol’ means a drink has an alcohol content lower than the average strength of a particular type of drink. Here are the best non alcoholic rose wines your money can buy. This wine had a “really good full fruity flavour”, and a lovely design on the bottle! Learn more about our range of Low Alcohol - Alcohol Free & Low Alcohol Wine Tannin-rich and restrained, this sparkling number from McGuigan is one of the more authentic tasting alcohol-free wines we’ve come across. The lower alcohol wines are all 12% ABV or lower, ideal for those who want lighter flavours–or just want to reduce unit intake. Crisp, with a nice acidity that works well with food and a long finish, we found it coats the mouth like a wine would – a characteristic many others don’t quite manage to pull off. However, Leitz eins zwei zero riesling is a standout still white wine, while Adnams 0.5 garnacha rosé is both excellent value for money and our pick of the many rosés available. Shop in store or online. ever really taste, in any meaningful sense, like wine. Pleasingly dry, with a little apricot and pear and a delicate creaminess from the bubbles, it’s balanced and has a solid mouthfeel. Forrest says that’s a slight illusion. If you’re not completely abstaining, products with a trace amount of alcohol, around 0.5 per cent, do tend to do better on these counts. It is definitely my go-to for warm days on the patio. Indeed, the EU’s exceptions on minimum alcohol include a style of wine that naturally clocks in at as little as 7.5% abv, but, thanks to its steely acidity, carries its sugar without really feeling sweet. But, from the complexity of flavour, the thick mouthfeel of wine, and the length of finish, there’s some things alcohol-free products can struggle to replicate. Who knows what will happen to legal definitions in the UK once the definitive break with the continent is finally made, but for now, with one or two exceptions, fermented grape juice must reach at least 8.5% abv if it’s to qualify to have the word wine on the label. My own experience suggests not. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. Delivery 7 days a week. Certain wine styles and/or wine regions are known for producing lower alcohol wines such as: German Riesling – Kabinett, Spatlese and Auslese – Rieslings are fantastic. Eisberg's 0.5 per cent Sauvignon Blanc wine is a popular choice. Off-dry, but balanced with crisp acidity these wines generally range from 7 to 9% abv. This helps explain why almost all 0% alcohol “wines”, which have had their alcohol – I’m tempted to say their “soul” – removed by a range of not at all gentle techniques, from centrifuges to organic solvents, taste so thin and simple. Can a wine be a wine without alcohol? Torres Natureo Dealcoholised Muscat, Spain 2018 (£5.99, Morrisons; Waitrose)The Natureo range from Spain’s Torres family has been my go-to as the most convincing and palatable of the 0% wines for some time now, with the muscat, which retains its natural floral-grapey aromas, the fragrant pick of the bunch. In the UK, anything under half a percent alcohol is no longer restricted under licensing laws. Made using the same Australian grapes as Hardys varietal range chardonnay, this alcohol-free version has been de-alcoholised to leave a full-bodied wine with some strong, fruity notes. Dr John Forrest, a New Zealand winemaker who makes a successful range of lower-alcohol wines, stresses the importance of alcohol’s ability “to add a sweetness to the aroma, ripeness to the fruit flavours and weight and ‘oily’ mouthfeel”. The wine is fermented and barrel aged in French oak, before the alcohol is removed, meaning there’s plenty of flavour left behind. Read our full mailing list consent terms here. This one is made entirely from syrah grapes. Vale dos Pombos Vinho Verde,. But it doesn’t quite account for the fact that alcohol-free beers taste so much more convincing, with a genuinely beer-like mouthfeel and depth of flavour. This is thanks to intensive work controlling leaf growth in the vineyard. Torres Natureo Rosé ABV: 0.5% 20 calories per glass. In our list, we’re looking for products that are satisfying, have enough complexity to be intriguing, and crucially, that we’d be happy to drink more than one glass of. From beer and spirits to wine, drinks makers have been busy in recent years, creating an ever-expanding range of low and no-alcohol products. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Lifelong vegetarian Amanda Thomson set up Thomson & Scott as a healthier, low-sugar, vegan-friendly alternative to prosecco and other sparkling wines. Classic & Foodie. Get quality Low Alcohol - Alcohol Free & Low Alcohol Wine at Tesco. Undoubtedly pricey compared to some of the other products on our list, we’ve included this fizz for its mixability and fruity notes. It is a wine that is 12.5% alcohol or lower, compared to many wines on the market that have alcohol percentages that are typically 2-4% higher. As the name gives away, there is a trace amount of alcohol in its range, consisting of a red, white and a rosé. More information. Depending on style and grape variety, wines tend to have between 12-14% alcohol, however in recent years levels have been creeping up, partly because of climate change and also due to the growing trend for softer, more ripe wines. © 2021 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. There’s a thick mouthfeel, green apple, and the touch of peach and gooseberry are a little sweet, but still balanced. As People Drink Less But Better, Low-Alcohol Wines are … Hailing from one of Spain’s biggest producers, Torres brought out the first of its alcohol-free wines in 2007. The wine appeals to consumers who are passionate about wellness and embracing balanced lifestyles, and varieties like Pinot Grigio, Rosé and Cabernet Sauvignon are free from flavor additives or any added sugar. These wines are all lower alcohol, with nothing over 11% ABV for whites and 12% ABV for reds. Get quality Low Alcohol - Wine at Tesco. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Alongside de-alcoholised wine, a grape juice concentrate has been added to bolster things up, and it shows. We recommend serving this one as chilled as possible. As the name gives away, there is a trace amount of alcohol … IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. L ow and alcohol-free beer Delight Rosé. The six-strong range includes a chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, sparkling blanc, rosé, and sparkling rosé. Though we very much enjoyed the red, a cabernet tempranillo, our pick is the garnacha rosé which we feel is as flavoursome as the real deal. In classic Cabernet character, this alcohol-free LEH release is brimming with rich, dark cherry flavours. We’ve only included here wines that our taste testers gave 4 … But we think the sauvignon blanc stands out as one of the better alcohol-free still white wines we’ve tasted. This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. After the indulgences of Christmas – and a very difficult 2020 – it may be time to take a step away from booze. More Details. If you’re looking to cut back this January, whatever your reasons, thankfully there are now plenty of decent options to choose from. But the question isn’t just a legalistic one. The Leitz family have been producing wine since 1744, though some of its more recent offerings include a range of alcohol-free wines. As for the comparably fuller texture, for the most part, Forrest says, a compensating dose of sugar does the mouth-filling work. Brewers too have managed to extract 4-5% abv. This is a very high quality rosé wine with a low-alcohol content and a distinct flavour also works wonderfully as an authentic rosé spritzer. This wine scored highly for its delicate floral aroma and good level of fizz though we found it did dissipate fairly quickly. Best at its coldest, we recommend this served from the freezer. Shop in store or online. In short, when it comes to booze-free-fizz, Noughty is as close to the real thing as we’ve found. The products in our round-up represent what we think are the best. Eisberg Sauvignon Blanc, £3.99, Waitrose. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. And when it comes to wine, you now have the pick of the bunch. Dry with a touch of sweetness towards the finish, there’s the level acidity you want from a sparkling wine. Made with organic chardonnay grapes from southern Spain, the wine is then de-alcoholised via vacuum distillation, and then lightly carbonated. Rich with notes of blackcurrant, hibiscus, and something a little toasty from the wood, we think this could benefit from being a little drier, but its still a tasty option. Surprisingly good, as is the Slender white. At no more than 0.5%, it is unable to render you drunk and some breads and ripe fruit contain as much or more alcohol. Whatever your preconceptions, it's true to say that alcohol-free products across the board just keep getting better as production techniques are tweaked and improved. Though not exactly true to the dryness we expect from a full-strength sparkler, this wine is sweet, with a nose dominated by lemon and elderflower, and guava and lime to sip. Or for something more simple, add mineral water and crushed mint at its,... A grape juice concentrate has been added to bolster things up, and then lightly.... Cent sauvignon blanc stands out as one of the best non alcoholic wines! Means that the wine as possible whites and 12 % ABV small commission if a reader through. 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Days on the patio crisp acidity these wines generally range from 7 to 9 % ABV exactly is Low...