Non-alcoholic wine has come a long way, and now with hundreds of options out there, it can be hard to find the gems among the weeds. I’m a sober sommelier so to find the best non-alcoholic white wines for you, I tasted over 40 bottles available in Canada this past year - some new and some my go-to favourites. Here are the nine that I think taste most like real wine, and provide an experience similar to wine so that you don’t feel like you’re missing out.

TL;DR

Best Overall - Zeronimo Gruner Veltliner
Best for Fine Wine Lovers - Divin Vigneron Sauvignon Blanc
Best Under $25 - Oracle Chardonnay
Best Low-Sugar - Giesen Sauvignon Blanc

Will it actually taste like real white wine?

If you're expecting a perfect dupe for a sauvignon blanc or chardonnay, some of these wines come pretty close - but you will always miss the sting or burn of the alcohol and will feel like something is ‘missing’. Removing alcohol changes the structure, body and texture of wine in a big way. If you adjust your expectations slightly, there’s some real pleasure to be found in this category - and lots of bottles that scratch the wine itch so well, you might not miss the real thing at all.

*Note: 'alcohol free wine' or 'zero alcohol wine' means 0.0% alcohol - this article covers non-alcoholic dealcoholized wines that are less than 0.5% alcohol but not 0.0%.

So, let’s get tasting and see which ones I think are at the top of the category.

Table of Contents

1. Zeronimo Gruner Veltliner

Zeronimo Grunerveltliner is second on this list because it perfectly reflects the famous Austrian varietal and drinks like a traditional wine. It’s a refreshing white with light acidity, and a soft, ripe profile on the palate.

Tasting notes: This dealcoholized white wine is made with 100% gruner veltliner grapes from the Vagram region in Austria, produced by an established winery and dealcoholized with the most advanced aroma recovery technology available in Europe. On the nose there are fresh aromatics like honeysuckle and green apple. In the glass, you’ll find a subtle minerality balanced with fresh fruit. There’s a huge amount of lift in the glass, which just brings me so much joy. There’s a vein of minerality that continues on through the mid-palate, with a soft fruity finish. Just perfect! Food pairing: Asparagus, hard cheese, lean light white fish

Available through: Sobr Market, $45

2. Divin Vigneron Sauvignon Blanc

Divin Vigneron Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best non-alcoholic white wines in Canada because of its quality craftsmanship, unique flavour profile and terroir characteristics expressed in a way no other French non-alcoholic wine has been able to do.

Tasting Notes: This is probably one of the most unique non-alcoholic wines I have ever tasted. It literally screams “I am French” more than any other non-alcoholic wine in the field. I couldn’t believe it was non-alcoholic because of the structure, complexity and funk. It drinks exactly like I expect a high-end Loire wine to drink, especially now after so many years of innovation in the field. This is not a grassy and aromatic wine like you might expect but rather, it has unexpected notes of vanilla and white flower, a hint of toastiness and definitely some funk. The wine blend is a hybrid of two parent wines, one aged in stainless steel and one aged in oak and both dealcoholized separately before blending. This creates a very unique mouthfeel, taste and weight. The only thing missing is a bit of lift, but other than that, this is a great experience if you like expensive French wine and want to feel that sense of place again.

Available at: SommZero, $33 (15% OFF Divin with code SOMEGOODCLEANFUN)

3. Oracle Dealcoholized Chilean Chardonnay

Oracle Chilean Chardonnay is one of the best non-alcoholic chardonnays because it has layers of complexity and really reflects what a good chardonnay should taste like without the alcohol.

Tasting Notes: This is a bottle of really well made non-alcoholic chardonnay. It has a really vinous aroma which sets the tone that this is a real wine just without the alcohol. I appreciate that there's no green apple on the palate like many whites in the category. Instead, it’s a lovely blend of peach, yuzu and white blossom with a hint of butter. It has an easygoing complexity that’s hard to find in the dealcoholized white wine category. Medium-minus acidity with a hint of brightness. It's a little bit on the sweeter side, not as dry as I wanted it, but still really enjoyable. Pairs with: roasted potatoes,

Available at: 10% OFF Oracle At Dry Variety Drinks with code SOMEGOODCLEANFUN

4. Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc

Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc is the best affordable grocery-store option for non-alcoholic whites, and it’s always at the top of my best whites list because it accurately reflects New Zealand sauvignon blanc's bright aromatic taste and style.

Tasting Notes: This affordable sauvignon blanc from New Zealand is an excellent non-alcoholic white that shows the typical grassy lemon notes of a sauvignon blanc. It has a crisp, dry profile and enough acidity to have some length. It’s low in sugar as well so you can enjoy multiple glasses without the guilt. As a woman struggling with sugar intake this has been a lifesaver for me! You can read my full review here. Pairs with: ceviche, zesty salads with goat cheese, sushi

Available at: Upside Drinks (15% OFF your cart with code SOMEGOODCLEANFUN)

5. Kim Crawford Dealcoholized Sauvignon Blanc

Kim Crawford non-alcoholic sauvignon blanc is a true reflection of the brand’s famous New Zealand sauvignon blancs, with the grassy aromatics and bright acidity we all know and love.

Tasting notes: The aromatics in this non-alcoholic white are really nice, with lots of herbal green grass typical of a sauvignon blanc from New Zealand. There’s also a lovely bright acidity with a yuzu profile and a hint of tropical fruit. The best thing about this non-alcoholic wine is the lingering finish. Good wines leave a sensory note behind which is what encourages a second glass. It’s really rare to experience that in a dealcoholized wine. If you’re setting out your patio table for al fresco dining, definitely add a bottle of this in an ice bucket. Pairs with: It’s a perfect accompaniment to salads, grilled meat or fish or just appetizers with friends.

Available at: LCBO and select retail locations across Canada

6. Goodvines Black Label Sauvignon Blanc

The Goodvines black label sauvignon blanc is one of the best non-alcoholic white wines because it actually tastes like a real wine with an accurate taste profile of a sauvignon blanc.

Tasting Notes: The Goodvines black label sauvignon blanc is a fresh and tart non-alcoholic white, with a pop of bright acidity and a nice weightiness to it. It nicely showcases the gooseberry and greenfruit of a traditional cooler climate sauvignon blanc. What I like about Goodvines is they avoid using artificial flavors, colorings or granulated sugar to restore what’s lost in dealcoholization. It’s truly a non-alcoholic wine that tastes like real wine, and when it’s chilled in an ice bucket, you might be able to fool an unsuspecting friend. Pairs with: fresh seafood, shellfish, quiche with chevre, poached eggs.

Available at: Currently sold out in Canada

7. Smoky Bay Chardonnay

Smoky Bay Chardonnay is one of the best non-alcoholic white wines because it truly tastes like an Australian chardonnay with big oak, vibrant fruit and medium-to-full body just like a real wine.

Tasting notes: On the nose you’ll find prominent butter notes blended with some oakiness. In the glass, there are soft buttery notes, a hint of oakiness and a full mouthfeel, making it silky from the tip of your tongue to your throat. It’s not overly sweet, but it is juicy and well balanced. It’s lacking a little bit in acidity and I wished there was a bit more brightness to balance out the fruit. It’s not overly elegant or structured but that truly makes it an easier drinking option and I would call this modern comfort - easy, approachable and classy, a true Hunter Valley Chardonnay. Pairs with: Definitely lobster with lots of butter, pan seared scallops, pork chops with apple

Available at: Upside Drinks, $13 (15% OFF your cart with code SOMEGOODCLEANFUN)

8. Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Riesling

Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Riesling is one of the best non-alcoholic wine for sushi or seafood because of its off-dry profile, zingy acidity and hints of minerality that reflect the taste of a real riesling.

Tasting notes: The Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Riesling is made at a 200-year old winery in Germany and replicates a good quality off-dry riesling. It has a hint of sweetness with a nice minerality and those unique petrol notes that are the hallmark of high-end rieslings. It’s a great option for seafood or sushi as it has a nice soft acidity that will pair nicely with oily seafood. Pairs with: sushi, raw fish, grilled seafood like calamari

Available at: Upside Drinks (15% OFF your cart with code SOMEGOODCLEANFUN)

9. Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Chardonnay

Leitz Chardonnay is one of the best non-alcoholic white wines overall because it’s balanced, juicy and has enough complexity to work well with food at an affordable price.

Tasting Notes: This non-alcoholic white is a perfect example of a cool-climate chardonnay, but with a hint of warm weather characteristics. It’s crisp and acidic, and has a playful hint of soft buttery oak. It’s complex enough to warrant being at the top of our list for still whites that taste great, are priced well and enjoyable down to the last drop. Pairs with: roasted chicken with herbs, pork tenderloin, fish & chips

Available at: Upside Drinks (15% OFF with code SOMEGOODCLEANFUN)

10. St Regis Sauvignon Blanc

St Regis Sauvignon Blanc is a great non-alcoholic white to pick up at the grocery store with a well-balanced, low-acidity palate that works well with food at an affordable price.

Tasting Notes: This is styled as more of a warmer climate sauvignon blanc with notes of tropical fruit, grass, brioche and crisp citrus. If you complained about Giesen or Brochet sauvi b being too sour or acidic, you’ll love St. Regis because it’s not a typical sauvignon blanc. It’s got a medium-minus body and a soft, smooth texture. And all for under $20! Pairs with: oven roasted chicken or turkey