The best alcohol-free or low alcohol red wines

Looking for our recommendations for the best alcohol-free or low alcohol red wines? You have come to the right place.

As with any kind of wine, alcoholic or not, there are a number of elements that must come together to create something that tastes good, and of course, personal preference also plays a role here. But alcohol-free or low alcohol red wines have received a bit of a bad reputation for not being as palatable as their alcoholic counterparts. However, we reckon we have a list of some pretty top notch alcohol-free and low alcohol wines you should try.

And if red wine isn’t your preferred tipple, we have also compiled our recommendations for the best alcohol-free beers.

Our top recommendations for non alcoholic or low alcohol red wines:

• Rawson’s Retreat Cabernet Sauvignon
• Torres Natureo De-alcoholised Red
• Fre Alcohol Removed Merlot 
• Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon 
• Linderman's Alcohol Free Cabernet Sauvignon
• Eisberg Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol Free
• McGuigan Zero Shiraz
• Sainsbury's Alcohol Free Red Wine
• Artis De-Alcoholised Merlot

Are alcohol-free wines, alcohol-free?

This might feel like a silly question, but not all alcohol-free wines, while labeled alcohol-free, are 100% alcohol-free. Depending on the way it was produced, there may be a trace amount of alcohol left, but this is not at a level that would ever get you drunk. Our rule of thumb is anything below 0.5% ABV is alcohol-free, and you can enjoy it throughout an alcohol-free challenge. 

In fact, alcohol-free alternatives such as these can be very helpful, specifically during the early stages of your challenge as you tackle cravings or are faced with social occasions where you’d like to have a drink in hand. Just be wary that it's possible the taste and smell of non-alcoholic wine – including 0% ABV wine – can provide stimulatory cues that encourage some people to crave standard alcoholic wines.

With that said, here are our top recommendations for alcohol-free and low alcohol red wines!

The best non alcoholic or low alcohol red wines

Rawson’s Retreat Cabernet Sauvignon  

ABV: 0.5% 19 calories per glass

An alcohol-free red that actually tastes like Cabernet Sauvignon should! With a rich red colour that distinguishes it from other non-alcoholic red wines, this warming wine is easy to drink. Like many non alcoholic wines, this was created by producing it to a normal alcoholic strength and then de-alcoholising it. This is the process that can compromise flavour, but in this case you’ll be pleased to find a fruity taste that isn’t overly sweet, and is low in calories. The bottle design has an image of the idyllic vineyard, ensuring a conventional and convincing look. 

Torres Natureo De-alcoholised Red

ABV: 0.1% 40 calories per glass

A well balanced red resulting from long term research, placing it at the forefront of the de-alcoholised wine market. Due to being barrel aged in French oak, all the flavours and aromas are preserved after having the alcohol removed making it a perfect match with pasta dishes and roasts. The wine shows lovely, lively hedgerow fruit on a well balanced and juicy palate.

Fre Alcohol Removed Merlot

ABV: 0.5% 35 calories per glass

This smooth Merlot retains a luxurious taste and strong red colour after de-alcoholisation, delivering a very pleasant experience with black plum aromas, and flavours of soft cherry and spices. It has a velvety smooth texture with a bold body and finish. 

Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 0.5% 26 calories per glass

An excellent example of a low alcohol red wine, Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon is a chocolatey, berry-bursting red wine from California’s renowned Napa Valley vineyards. It has a nice bouquet and there are some decent nice peppery aromas and notes on the tongue.

While enjoyable straight from the bottle, this is also a brilliant red wine to use when making an alcohol-free sangria as the rich flavour translates even after mixing into the other ingredients. 

Linderman's Alcohol Free Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 0.5% 43 calories per glass

Lindeman’s are one of Australia’s biggest wine producers and they are known for their consistent quality and timeless appeal. Smooth and rounded, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a vibrant alcohol-free wine packed full of the flavour of bright red fruits, with hints of cassis, cinnamon and pepper. Well balanced with a natural fruity sweetness with rounded tannins adding structure. 

Eisberg Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol Free

ABV: 0.0% 28 calories per glass

This Cabernet Sauvignon has a slightly sweet finish that would happily blend with italian dishes. The rich deep colour is inviting and does not let you down on flavour with a mix of soft red fruit and hint of plum. It gives a pleasant tannin sensation similar to regular red wine and can even be enjoyed cold. 

McGuigan Zero Shiraz

ABV: 0.05% 35 calories per glass

A Shiraz with subtle flavours of vanilla and spices, balanced nicely by notes of plum and forest berry with a round finish. These warming elements make it pair perfectly with a chocolate dessert, or any smokey BBQ foods on a hot day. As this wine is recommended to be served chilled, it makes it the ideal summertime drink.

Sainsbury's Alcohol Free Red Wine

ABV: 0.05% 113 calories per glass

This red is a smooth and fresh drink with delicious blackcurrant and red berry flavours. It is refreshing, whilst having a rich, strong body with sharp fruitiness without being overly sweet on the palette. The notes in this wine make it a perfect option for making an alcohol-free mulled wine, or to serve with tomato-based pasta or chicken dishes.

Artis De-Alcoholised Merlot

ABV: 0.5% 30 calories per glass

With more than 25 years of experience in de-alcoholisation technique, Artis have created this wine with an authentic taste, but low in calories. The ruby red colour and aromatic woody nose blends beautifully with the ripe fruity aromas. It is supple on the palette with a tannic structure, with caramel and roasting notes.

Put a cork in it!

So there you have it. After scouring for the best alcohol-free or low alcohol red wine alternatives, these are our top recommendations. We hope you can find one that you love and if there are others you have discovered that we have not listed above, let us know so we can add them to our next list of the best AF or low alcohol wines! 

 

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