The Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wines
Go to a celebration, a gala, or almost any other special occasion, and the odds are very good that the highpoint of the evening will involve the host popping open a bottle of champagne. And even when there’s no party going on, sparkling wines remain extremely popular. Their fizziness, stemming from a high carbon dioxide content, makes for a unique drinking experience.
Seeing as we’ve already mentioned the two terms and will be doing so again, let us quickly take a moment to explain the difference between sparkling wine and champagne, to avoid any ambiguity. For many people, there will be no difference, and these two terms will be used interchangeably. But, EU laws only allow the name champagne to be used for wines that actually come from the Champagne region, which is in France. Still, it is very common to see any sparkling wine referred to as champagne.
So, call it sparkling wine or champagne, the point is the same – countless people enjoy the taste. But, not everyone will enjoy the alcohol. Some people may avoid alcohol entirely, others may simply be the designated drivers for the day, and so on. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t have any sparkling wine. Alcohol-free varieties exist to cater to their needs.
Even non-drinkers can enjoy non-alcoholic sparkling wine, and this text will give you some excellent options to consider. But before that, a quick look at how it’s made.
See our list of other alcohol-free wines here.
The Making of Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine
At first glance, you might think that wine without the alcohol would just be grape juice. However, this is not the case. The reason is the complex production process that non-alcoholic wine goes through. And for the most part, this process is the same as with regular wines. In fact, in order to make alcohol-free wine, you first make the standard variety.
So, you have the usual harvesting, crushing, and pressing. Then, there is the fermentation process which turns sugars into alcohol. After that, the future non-alcoholic wine is left to age to intensify the flavors. This is what sets it apart from grape juice which doesn’t go through these two stages.
The crucial step comes toward the very end – that is the removal of alcohol. There are two ways to do this.
One is through distillation. By using heat and vacuum, winemakers evaporate the alcoholic content.
The other is via filtration (also called reverse osmosis). Using pressure, wine is pushed through a fine membrane. The water and the alcohol go through, leaving behind a wine concentrate. Afterward, winemakers just add the water back.
Our Recommendations
Now that you know how this wine is made, you probably want to give it a try. And you should, as it provides a nice alternative. But before we get to the specific recommendations, a quick note about where to buy non-alcoholic champagne.
In this regard, turning to the internet is probably your best bet. You can find alcohol-free wine is stores but your choices will be limited. So in order to maximize your convenience, we’ve included links for each product to allow you to easily order them online.
Sutter Home Fre Brut Non-alcoholic Champagne
The fruity flavors of this sparkling wine incorporate the aromas of pears and green apples, enhanced by subtle touches of peaches and berries. This provides a nice balance between sweetness and acidity. The resulting aftertaste is refreshing and dry.
Because of this, it’s easy to go for more than one glass, and the lack of alcohol means you can do so without worrying.
Pierre Chavin Zero Rose Sparkling Wine
You will immediately notice the beautiful pink color of this French sparkling wine. Raspberries and currants give it fruity and floral aromas, and the wine will treat your palate to a soft and fresh taste.
If you’re having it with a meal, this rosé wine pairs particularly well with cheeses and red meat. And regardless of the occasion, the persistent bubbles guarantee a delightful experience.
Go here to learn more.
Señorío de la Tautila Espumoso Rosado
Coming to us from Spain, this sparkling rosé is characterized by a mild intensity. The long-lasting bubbles make it very refreshing and contribute to its great taste.
For those who plan to pair it with food, cheeses, light pastas and soups, canapés, and various salads are all fine choices to bring out the best in this wine.
You can get it here.
Sparkling Wine Sampler Pack
For those who cannot settle on just one non-alcoholic sparkling wine, this sampler pack provides four different options. One of the best things about wine is exploring the different flavors, and you can do the same here.
Each wine boasts different aromas, meaning they can please different taste buds. And as they hail from different countries, you can take your palate on a tour.
Get the details here.
Conclusion
Sparkling wine does not have to be alcoholic. With alcohol-free champagne, even teetotalers can enjoy the refreshing, fizzy taste of this sublime beverage. And with these four options, you have a great place to start.
