16 best non-alcoholic wines to enjoy, including red, white and sparkling

Cognato was founded by two cousins desperate for a decent glass of non-alcoholic wine when they found themselves ferrying their young children between activities every weekend. We can relate.

They teamed up with production partners in South Africa and set about creating wines as close as possible to their favourite vinos while keeping sugar levels low. The range now includes a sparkling, a rosé and a chenin blanc, as well as this red – all of which are Fairtrade certified.

The dealcoholised cabernet sauvignon is a pretty decent dupe for a normal red wine, with rich flavours of berries and oak, a full body and a super-smooth texture that would work perfectly alongside a bowl of tomato pasta or even a roast dinner. We particularly like the fact the bottle looks like a decent wine rather than a juice, and that it can be bought in cans, to avoid wastage. After trying the full range, we reckon this is the closest non-alcoholic wine we’ve found to the real thing.

If one of the reasons to swerve booze is saving money, you won’t want to spend the same on alcohol-free wine as you would on the hard stuff.

This red from Tesco is easy to add to your weekly supermarket delivery without breaking the bank. It’s made with a blend of cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo grapes, with the alcohol gently removed but retaining the typical sunny berry flavours. It has a medium body and a surprisingly decent mouthfeel, though, of course, it’s thinner than wine with alcohol. While we could clearly tell it was non-alcoholic when consumed on its own, it’s particularly impressive when served with food – its fruity dryness works well with sizzling burgers straight from a barbecue.

With many of the best non-alcoholic sparkling wines even more expensive than their alcoholic equivalent, this reasonably priced alcohol-free cava is a good one to stock up on. It’s produced close to Barcelona, at a boutique winery that also makes premium alcoholic cava. Better still, the vineyard gets extra eco points, as it reuses and purifies rain and wastewater; has eradicated diesel use with a renewable boiler system, and halved its energy consumption.

Like Vilarnau’s normal cava, this bottle is packed with fruity flavours, with green apple, almond and a biting hit of citrus to counteract the sweetness. A nice acidity and crisp dryness make it far less sweet than many of the other non-alcoholic bubblies we’ve tried – it could definitely be served on its own as an aperitif, without making you feel like you’re drinking sugary fruit juice.

It’s not always easy to stay sober if you’re in a celebratory mood. Though you might baulk at the price, this sparkling rosé definitely feels suitably indulgent.

It’s made by sisters Chloe, Poppy and Cara Delevingne, who collaborated with a third-generation wine-making family in Valdobbiadene in Italy to launch two proseccos in 2020. Now, their vegan-certified, non-alcoholic rosé version proves you don’t need to skimp on flavour just because you’ve cut out the booze. Instead, expect juicy notes of cherries, red apples and berries and a clean mouthfeel that won’t set your teeth on edge, thanks to a mercifully low sugar content. We reckon you could serve this at a party with no complaints, even from dedicated drinkers.

A glass of red wine with a steak is a non-negotiable for a lot of people, so, it’s a tricky one to get right once you remove the booze. Alcohol-free giant Eisberg has come to the rescue with its new premium line: selection. Eisberg already makes everything from non-alcoholic mulled wine to chardonnay, but its latest wines use high-quality cuvée from some of Europe’s most famous wine regions.

This pinot noir is a cut above most other non-alcoholic reds, with light fruity flavours of blackcurrant and cherry, a decently dry taste and even a hint of spice, to give the wine the complexity typical of a pinot noir. Though it’s a touch sweeter than one with alcohol, we reckon you’d barely tell the difference if you served it alongside a perfectly cooked steak.

You don’t just need to take our word for it that this luxe alcohol-free sparkler feels like a real treat to drink. It’s already served to discerning palates in places such as Nobu, Harrods, Four Seasons and The Dorchester Hotel. Plus, we love that it looks exactly like a real bottle of champagne and even comes boxed, if you want to gift it to a non-drinker.

Unusually, rather than being dealcoholised, this wine never had any alcohol in it, which is ideal if you need to avoid the stuff completely. It’s made using müller-thurgau grapes from Germany, which are harvested and pressed just like in traditional wine-making, then chilled for up to 12 months to ensure the juice doesn’t ferment. Fresh and surprisingly dry in the glass, it has an elegant mousse, aromas of orange blossom and lime, and flavours of apples and even tropical lychee, for a bright, booze-free alternative when marking a special occasion.

These days, there are almost as many non-alcoholic wines to choose from on the supermarket shelves as normal wine, so, deciding on one can be tough. However, we reckon you can’t go wrong with this reasonably priced own-brand range from M&S, which also includes a sauvignon blanc (£4, Ocado.com) and a merlot (£4, Ocado.com)

The rosé is our favourite, though – you don’t have to forgo a chilled glass of pink when the sun’s out, even if you’re skipping the alcohol. Light and fruity, it’s made of dealcoholised – though non-specific – rosé made in Germany and is chock-full of ripe peach and summer berry flavours. It’s definitely on the sweeter side but it’s perfect served chilled in the garden, preferably with a bowl of strawberries and cream.

Australia’s McGuigan Wines is best known for producing some of the country’s best vinos – the company has been crowned International Winemaker of the Year a record four times.

Surprisingly, it’s now also turned its considerable expertise to non-alcoholic wines, providing a decent drop for those avoiding alcohol. Though this is sweeter than standard sauvignon blanc, it still has all the tropical flavours you’d expect from the much-loved white wine, with pops of gooseberry, grapefruit, passion fruit and lime. Its medium body, long finish and lip-smacking acidity mean it feels more like real wine than most, particularly straight from the fridge when only a savvy B will do.

We were pleasantly surprised by this bubbly alternative to prosecco. Made by David Rowledge of Alchemy Wines, it looks like an alcoholic fizz in the glass and keeps its bubbles while drinking, so, it really does feel like a treat to sip, ideal for non-drinkers to join a celebratory toast.

It’s made with sparkling fermented grape juice and premium green tea, giving it a refreshing feel packed with fruity flavours of pear and grape. Although it’s a tiny bit on the sweet side, if you’re used to bone-dry champagne, it’s one of the driest and most drinkable sparkling wines we tried. Better still, 25p from every bottle sold will be donated to NHS Charities Together. Definitely one we’ll be buying again in future.

If you didn’t know what you were sipping, you could easily believe this sparkling alcohol-free rosé was the real thing. An attractive deep-pink colour, it looks inviting in the glass, with red fruit aromas, a surprisingly textured palate and a hint of raspberry in every sip.

Its fermented grape juice is, again, blended with premium green tea, which cuts through the sweetness and adds complexity.

Containing only naturally occurring sugar, it’s a pleasure to drink and we definitely wouldn’t feel like we were missing out with this in our glass.

Just because a white wine has its alcohol removed, doesn’t mean it should be stripped of all its flavour, too. Zeno launched in October 2022 and describes its wines as alcohol-liberated. The brand focuses on creating single-estate wines with a quality and texture that even wine lovers would appreciate.

After three years of development, this is one of the best whites on the market, with a pleasing hit of citrus, apple and tropical flavours on the palate. It has a medium-bodied mouthfeel, gentle acidity and a touch of elderflower on the finish that would work well with gently spiced Asian dishes or chicken roasted in a creamy sauce.

Relatively few non-alcoholic wines are made by actual wineries, so, it’s a thrill to see this sparkling rosé from the established Château La Coste wine estate in Provence, albeit with a steep price tag to match.

Happily, it’s made from the estate’s bestselling organic rosé wine but has had the alcohol removed and bubbles added, to create a light, pale salmon-pink colour made for al fresco summer drinking. Expect pops of grapefruit that lift a juicy and surprisingly full-bodied palate of strawberries and cherries that would work well at a barbecue or even with an afternoon tea – not least because of its glamorous rose-gold bottle.

Squint and you’d never even know this red was non-alcoholic. The bottle looks exactly the same as a normal wine and it shares many of the same characteristics as a standard South African syrah – albeit with the alcohol removed.

It’s made by Noughty, which launched in 2019 with the aim of creating premium de-alcoholised wine. Its bottles are now sold in more than 45 countries and the brand is B Corp certified, meeting rigorous social, sustainability and environmental standards. All this and the wine’s good, too. Grown in dryland farmed vineyards in Darling, South Africa, the grapes benefit from warm sunny days and an ocean breeze.

The wine itself is packed with flavours of ripe red fruit with a twist of black pepper and even a lingering hint of roses, along with French oak tannins. Serve it up with a juicy steak or even a roast dinner and we reckon you won’t miss the booze.

Lyre’s knows a thing or two about making alcohol-free drinks – producing 16 spirits and five ready-to-drink cans, so you’re not stuck with the same options every time.

This Italian-style sparkling wine is a stand-out swap if you’re partial to prosecco. It even looks the part in its premium bottle, so you’d feel quite proud bringing this along to a party. It looks the part in the glass, too, thanks to delicate bubbles, a welcome tartness and flavours of apple, pear and peach.

A fine acidity gives this sparkler a clean, refreshing finish, and means there’s none of the cloying sweetness that lingers with some other alcohol-free wines. It would be ideal served chilled on its own or with canapes, to get a party started.

If you’ve always swerved alcohol-free wines because the sweetness makes you shudder, this sparkling vino is well worth a try. It’s made in Veneto, Northern Italy, from the same glera grapes that Joe Scavi and Carluccio Ray use to make their prosecco.

After harvesting, the wine goes through a gentle vacuum-based de-alcoholisation process, to produce this aromatic, tangy fizz, which would thrill any non-drinker at a party.

It bursts with lip-smacking flavours of pear, green apple and citrus, and is remarkably drinkable, especially when perfectly chilled. Add a dash of orange juice and it will make a wonderful mimosa, too.

It’s great to see respected winemakers making alcohol-free versions and attempting to replicate the flavours and depth found in their usual wines. Hardys is one of Australia’s biggest wine producers and is especially known for its fragrant chardonnays, so, it’s no surprise this is a decent substitute.

Made with the same premium grapes used across the Hardys ranges, this 0% ABV chardonnay has a vibrant yellow colour and a smooth note of oak. It’s packed with plenty of tropical flavours, including pineapple and peach, and, though it’s a touch sweeter than the regular version, it would definitely satisfy a Saturday chardonnay craving, if you’re trying to skip the booze.

A powerful, flavour-filled tipple, we’d prefer to pair it with food than sip it on its own – it would go perfectly with a chicken pie or seafood platter.