Skipping the buzz—and the calories—has gotten much more enjoyable. Even in the past six months, the non-alcoholic wine space has improved dramatically, with new offerings showing surprising complexity. My list this year includes a couple of debuts and some old favorites. I’ve noted how these beverages were made—some start with fermented grapes—actual wine—then use complex chemistry to remove the alcohol. These might hew closer to a traditional wine to many palates. Then there are beverages that use a mixture of teas, juices, spices or other elements to give the experience of wine—mouthfeel, complex nose and palate. These alternatives are generally not meant to emulate a particular varietal, but rather give the drinker a pleasing adult beverage to enjoy in situations where you’d normally drink wine. Here are this year’s top picks.
Red, white, and sparkling rosé— there's a delicious zero-proof wine for everyone
You won't miss the booze in this sparkling sauvignon blanc.
Saint Viviana Sauvignon Blanc ($22.99)
The N/A experts at The Zero Proof spent years developing this wine, and its sibling Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from Washington State, Saint Viviana Sauvignon Blanc is bright and tart without being too sour, offering a palate of grapefruit and melon, with a nose that’s a little bit citrusy and a little bit floral. Very food-friendly—think chicken and seafood—even oysters and caviar.
Proxies Holiday Collection ($98 for four bottles)
No one in the zero-proof space (and likely few in the alcoholic space) has worked as closely as Proxies has with James Beard award-winning chefs to craft beverages. Celebrated chefs Sean Brock, Dominique Crenn, Beverly Kim & Johnny Clark, and sommelier Miguel de Leon each guided Proxies in building wine-alternative beverages with specific characteristics. These bottles were offered as a limited release, but the company has brought all four back for a special holiday set. The set includes Sean Brock’s Audrey, a red inspired by the chef’s grandmother’s elderberry wine; Pétanque, a high-acid white developed with Crenn to pair with her seafood-forward menus; Amuse, a sparkling rosé crafted with Kim and Clark, the wife-and-husband team behind two of Chicago’s most acclaimed restaurants; and Vinta, an orange style created with award-winning sommelier de Leon.
Proxies' James Beard winning chef collection offers something to pair with every course.
Joyus Cabernet Sauvignon ($28.99)
The accolades keep pouring in for this brand crafting de-alcoholized wines—at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, all four of their wines took home awards. For winter, I’m a fan of their sole red—aged in new American oak, it’s toasty and redolent of vanilla, with notes of dark berries.
You don't have to choose between sparkling white and sparkling rosé with this set.
Baby Bloom Box, French Bloom Organic French Bubbly ($59)
This elegant de-alcoholized sparkler has introduced a stylish box set of two half-bottles just in time for the holidays. Developed by Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger, director of the Michelin Guide, and model Constance Jablonski, this is one of the most food-friendly zero-proof wines I’ve ever tried, moving easily from oysters to South Korean banchan. The set offers a split of French Bloom Blanc—elegant and dry, with some lovely floral and pear notes—and one of the French Bloom Rosé, redolent of violet and roses, with lush strawberries and raspberries.
Vintage variation means there's always something new popping up with these wines.
Sovi Sparkling White ($30)
The husband-and-wife team of Julia Littauer, Certified Sommelier, and Alex Littauer, DipWSET, continues to explore wines that retain aromatics after de-alcoholization, trying out different blends with each vintage. My favorite is currently the Sparkling White — the vintage 2022 is dry and crisp with some peach and grapefruit notes. Enjoy it on its own as a drink before dinner, with a light meal, or at brunch with friends. Seriously though, you can’t go wrong with any of the other offerings. Convenient cans sell out frequently, so stock up when you see them for tailgating and picnics.
Odd Bird Blanc De Blancs ($24.99, or $6.99 for a can)
This de-alcoholized sparkler, made from organic grapes, is available in full-size bottles or adorable cans—making it easy to take the zero-proof party with you anywhere. It’s festive and slightly off-dry, with a pleasant apple nose and a tart finish.
Gnista Red Italian Not Wine ($24.99)
If you’re feeling open-minded, this could be your new favorite alternative red beverage. The perfumy nose and palate– I get a lot of violets – will take you by surprise at first sip, but go back for a second one, and you’ll find a nice weight, gentle warm spices and a long finish. Gnista makes one of my favorite zero-proof bitter liqueurs, so the complexity comes as no surprise.
