Review: Bolle Dealcoholized Chardonnay
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I’ve reviewed several other Bolle wines to date, but this was the one I was most looking forward to.
If you haven’t read those reviews yet, here’s a quick primer on why Bolle is fast becoming the best non-alcoholic wine brand in the category - and one that many Michelin-star restaurants have already adopted on-premise.
There are two primary reasons Bolle is pulling ahead of other brands and the first one is price vs value. Most of Bolle’s products taste a lot more expensive than the $30-$35 price tags on them. They’ve succeeded in creating a notable line of dealcoholized wines at a price point that is within reach for consumers.
The main reason Bolle is in the winning spot is because of their technology and innovation. Bolle uses secondary fermentation for their wines, which is an age old winemaking technique they’ve adapted for dealcoholization. They’ve developed their own proprietary strain of low-alcohol yeast in order to do this, which makes this a double whammy for those of us that are yearning for that wine-like profile.
The chardonnay from Bolle is a little bit different than their sparkling wines. Still wine is harder to mask unpleasant aromas and flavors from dealcoholization and in sparkling wines, the carbonation helps enhance flavours. Regardless, I think Bolle has done a pretty good job of building a chardonnay that tastes good, but is also priced under $25.
Aroma
Bolle Chardonnay opens with fresh green apple and a distinct mineral character that immediately gives it a more serious, structured feel than many non-alcoholic white wines. There’s also a slightly waxy note on the nose that adds some texture rather than simple fruitiness, which I appreciated.
Taste
This is definitely a lighter, cooler-climate style non-alcoholic chardonnay fermented in stainless steel rather than oak. It has a pronounced green apple profile, light citrus and a clean tart finish. The acidity sits around medium-minus for me, which is enough to keep the wine fresh and food-friendly without becoming sharp or aggressive.
What stood out most was the structure. A lot of non-alcoholic white wines can feel thin or one-dimensional, but this one has a little bit more of a composed, intentional profile. The slightly waxy texture gives it some weight through the palate, and there’s a mineral quality underneath the fruit that makes it feel more sophisticated than many wines in this category.
That being said, I did find the green apple note slightly dominant by the finish. It’s not unpleasant, but it does really become the defining characteristic of the wine.
Mouthfeel and Experience
Bolle Chardonnay has a medium body and a lightly waxy texture that helps create a more authentic wine experience. It’s still a little bit too juicy but not enough to turn me off from the value of this one. The hint of minerality carries nicely through the finish.
Overall
Bolle Chardonnay is a fun and zesty non-alcoholic white wine with green apple, lively acidity and a comfortably wine-like mouthfeel. While I personally found the green apple character just slightly over-pronounced, this still feels like a thoughtfully made non-alcoholic chardonnay aimed at wine drinkers. It’s not very complex but it’s zingy and fun and perfect for a hot summer day on the patio!
Score: 94 points
Where to buy Bolle Chardonnay
*Note: Bolle Chardonnay is available via Better Rhodes for $24 but is temporarily sold out. It should be back in stock next week, and you can use the code SOMEGOODCLEANFUN for 15% off.
Today you can get 15% OFF Bolle Chardonnay at BOISSON ($29) with code SOMEGOODCLEANFUN.
How I rank wines (based on IWSC standards):
95 to 100 - An excellent drink with a great personality. An example that stands out among its peers
90 to 94 - An accomplished drink with considerable personality, character and complexity. A classic example of its style or variety.
85 to 89 - A perfectly well-made drink which provides an enjoyable drinking experience.
80 to 84 - An acceptable but simple drink, lacking distinction.
