Pouring Through Alcohol-Free Wine Choices

Over the last few years there has been a plethora of new alcohol-free wine options for consumers looking to enjoy their beloved beverage without the effects of alcohol. While everyone has different reasons for drinking alcohol-free wine, most everyone can agree that they are looking for a delicious and authentic wine experience. 

But not all wines are created the same, in fact, not all wines are actually “wine”.  There are essentially two main variations of alcohol-free wine options on the market today: Alcohol Removed Wines and Non-alcoholic Wines

  

Read the Label

The best way to distinguish one from the other is to examine the label. Unlike traditional wine, alcohol-free wine is considered a beverage and therefore, is regulated by the FDA. FDA regulations require the manufacturer to include ingredients and nutrition labels on the bottle.  

 

Non-alcoholic wines may actually be “wine like” products. The first ingredient on the label for these beverages indicates the primary ingredient which has a creative range of ingredient names:  "Treated/ Special Water", “Chardonnay Grapes”, "Grape Juice", "Grape Must", "Fruit Juice", "Grape Extract" etc. These drinks may be marketed as wine, and may in fact be “wine like” and chances are the experience will not be the authentic wine experience you are looking for. If the first ingredient is water, then you are drinking water, not wine.

Non-Alcoholic wine labels also include calories, sugar and carbs. This is also important to understand to ensure you don't end up swapping alcohol for empty calories. Juice and fruit fillers used in NA wines are high in sugar, calories and carbs. 

Starla introduced new wine making processes using herbs and botanicals to create flavor, body and mouth feel without the need for sugars.

 

Look for “Alcohol Removed”

Alcohol Removed wine is wine that has been fully fermented, then has had the alcohol removed. Fermenting the wine, then removing the alcohol yields a more authentic mouth feel, weight, and experience. If the first ingredient on the label is “alcohol removed red blend” then the drink was first fermented into wine and then the alcohol was removed. 

When you remove the alcohol from the wine, wine makers will lose up to 30% of the volume. Often times make to combat volume loss, wineries add fillers. Fillers show up on the label as water, concentrates, juices, teas any number of liquids that are not wine and are often high in calories and sugar. 

 

For the most authentic wines and to ensure you are getting a good value for what you are spending, look for wines that do not does not use fillers to create volume. These wines are more expensive, but if you are looking to fully enjoy an authentic wine experience, it’s well worth it. 

When I created Starla I was passionate about creating something that was so good, you looked forward to pouring a glass…or even better, sharing a glass. At Starla we make only premium alcohol-removed wine so that each sip is as delish as the real thing. Starla Premium Alcohol Removed wines are available at www.starlawines.com