Endeavouring to cut back on your weekly drinks tally or dip your toe into teetotal life? Don’t despair: zero-alcohol and lighter alcohol wines have come a long way. In fact, once you’ve tried these tipples, you may just say ‘hooroo’ to hangovers for good.
With its range of flavourful sips, Non provides a delectable zero-alcohol alternative to fill your wine glass on a Sunday evening. Imbibing a vivacious combination of tea, native plants, herbs and fruits, your next Sunday session might just be the kind you won’t need to send a round of apology texts for come Monday morning.
Bring out the Champagne glasses – Lyre’s has just launched a new non-alcoholic sparkling wine. The Italian-style vino reveals delicious aromas of fresh peach, melon, and granny smith apple with a suitably dry finish. Serve it chilled, or top with Lyre’s Italian Spritz for a teetotal take on the Aperol spritz.
Lighter alcohol needn’t indicate lower flavours. In Session may contain 25% less alcohol than its standard mates, but its Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Rosé are anything but bland. In Session comes from New Zealand’s Marlborough region and Hawke’s Bay.
Containing only 8% and 9% alcohol, Paradox wines are a gateway drop – leading you into that hangover-free life. Choose between a crisp Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, an oaked Chardonnay with peachy and melon notes, a fresh, fruity Rosé and a berry- and plum-accented Pinot Noir. Shop the range.
If you spent your younger years drinking Brown Brothers’ Moscato by the bottle (no? us neither), you’ll be pleased to know the famed wine producers now have a ‘Refreshing Light’ range of drops that are low in calories and alcohol. From Pinot Grigio to Prosecco, this range is an ideal picnic provision for the day drinkers.
Is it any surprise that the doyenne of the Barossa Valley produces a delicious non-alcoholic wine? We think not. With a choice of two sweeter drops, ideal for celebratory occasions and toasts, Maggie’s Sparkling Ruby Cabernet and Sparkling Chardonnay are available for less than $12 a (literal) pop.
It seems New Zealand is kindly fostering the cutting-back and cutting-out alcohol trend occurring on Australian soil (did you know one in four Aussies are looking to cut back?) – thanks, neighbours. This Antipodean offering is free from alcohol, light on sugar and calories and represents everything we love about NZ’s wines. The family owned Giesen Wines is heralded as the world’s first alcohol-removed Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Like sands through the hourglass, these are the wines of our low-alcohol lives. Try The Hour Glass’s 5% Pinot Grigio that leaves a lingering apple and pear aroma on the palate. And, prepare to wake up feeling as fresh as its tropical-fruit-boasting Sauvignon Blanc the morning after.
Vegan-friendly, sustainably made and lighter in alcohol, Allevio will fill you with a righteous combination of fruity aromas and smugness. Latin for ‘lighter,’ Allevio is a Marlborough-born Sauvignon Blanc and a perfect match for leisurely lunches.
If you’re concerned about losing the depth of flavour that comes with a quelling glass of wine, never fear – Plus and Minus wines so closely resemble the real deal (minus the booze) you’ll be tempted to play tricks on party guests. Toast to your health with a pour of its Blanc de Blancs (ideal for baby showers!), Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Rosé or Pinot Grigio.
Rich in antioxidants and free from artificial sweeteners, this South Australian alcohol-free range of wines is bolstered with grape seed extract for more of the benefits touted by traditional red wines. With a Blanc de Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Rosé on offer, there’s a drop for every drinker in this collection.
You may recognise Edenvale’s range of wines from your supermarket’s shelves – but you may be surprised to learn that these alcohol-removed wines don’t just taste like sparkling apple or grape juice (a la the bottles placed on the kid’s table come Christmas lunch) although they do offer a selection of these too. Refreshing and easy drinking, Edenvale also offers a range of ‘premium’ booze-free wines – try the Sparkling Shiraz.
With its range of flavourful sips, Non provides a delectable zero-alcohol alternative to fill your wine glass on a Sunday evening. Imbibing a vivacious combination of tea, native plants, herbs and fruits, your next Sunday session might just be the kind you won’t need to send a round of apology texts for come Monday morning.
