Is Non-Alcoholic Wine Actually Good?
As someone who has been on a wellness journey for the past year or two, which included the goal of reducing my alcohol intake, it’s no secret that I have been completely obsessed with making and trying mocktails. Despite this, I recently realized I have never tried non-alcoholic wine before, which is kind of crazy considering my love for a good glass of wine. Surprisingly, Bristol Farms has a cute selection of zero-proof drinks/spirits, so when I saw this bottle of non-alcoholic white wine by Le Naturel Zero Zero, I instantly knew I had to try it out to see if it compared at all to the real thing.
First and foremost: How is non-alcoholic wine made?
Non-alcoholic wine is typically made using a process that involves removing or preventing the formation of alcohol while retaining the flavors of traditional wine. There are several methods to produce non-alcoholic wine:
Dealcoholization: This method involves making traditional wine and then removing the alcohol. Techniques such as vacuum distillation or reverse osmosis are used to extract the alcohol while preserving the wine's flavor profile.
Fermentation Prevention: In this approach, winemakers halt the fermentation process before the yeast converts all the sugars into alcohol. This results in a wine with lower alcohol content or, in some cases, no alcohol at all.
Blending: Some non-alcoholic wines are produced by blending traditional wine with de-alcoholized wine or grape juice, creating a product with reduced alcohol content.
Spinning Cone Column: This innovative method uses a spinning cone column to separate alcohol from the wine at low temperatures, preserving the delicate flavors of the wine.
Each method has its advantages and challenges, and the choice often depends on the desired flavor profile and characteristics of the non-alcoholic wine.
The Review
Pros:
I love the sleek packaging. There were other non-alcoholic wines available at Bristol Farms, but this one immediately caught my eye.
It actually smells like real wine. Maybe this should be a given, but since it was my first time, I didn’t really have much expectations.
It was definitely light and refreshing, while also having some slight notes of wines. I drank it room temperature, but I feel like it would have been significantly better if I had refrigerated it prior to opening it.
It was only $16, so it’s super affordable.
It has way less calories than a real bottle of wine.
Con:
Although it did have a wine flavor, it tasted like an extremely watered down version of a real glass of wine. It borderline tasted like a less sweet, diluted juice.
Overall, I find Le Naturel Zero Zero to be a good alternative for those looking to go alcohol-free; however, when it comes to taste, it doesn't quite measure up to an actual glass of wine (but it did have a nice flavor). Since this was my first experience with non-alcoholic wine, I'm eager to explore more options on the market and will definitely keep you all updated on the best ones!