Bubbly Without the Buzz – 16 Non-Alcoholic Sparklings on Test

So, alcohol-free sparkling isn’t just fancy grape juice with bubbles – it’s real wine that’s had the alcohol carefully removed. And that’s exactly what makes it complex and, yes, more expensive. Because here’s the thing: alcohol carries flavour. Taking it out without stripping the wine of its character? That’s an art form. Behind it is some serious tech with one clear goal: kick out the booze, keep (hopefully) the taste.

There are two main methods for dealcoholizing wine:

1. Vacuum distillation – The base wine is distilled under vacuum at around 30 °C. The alcohol evaporates while the aromas (ideally) stay intact. Lost aromas are added back in afterwards – at least in theory.
2. Reverse osmosis – The wine is pushed through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure, separating water and small aroma molecules from the alcohol. The alcohol is removed, then the rest is blended back together. This method is more commonly used to reduce alcohol than to remove it entirely.

Serving tip: Chill well (6–8 °C) and use a spotless glass – both are key for that perfect perlage.

Sugar, Calories & Additives – How Healthy Is Non-Alcoholic Sparkling?

One common myth? Alcohol-free = sugar bomb. But let’s take a closer look.

Calories: Classic sparkling wine tends to have more – thanks to the alcohol. Good news for anyone watching their intake: non-alcoholic fizz can have up to 70% fewer calories. Sugar content usually sits around 4 g per 100 ml, though some proxies skew higher. That’s because they’re often blended with juice, which naturally contains more sugar.

Additives & Labeling: Even traditional wine – and therefore sparkling wine – is often more than just fermented grapes. That’s why, since 8 December 2023, new EU labelling rules apply. Previously, wine was classified as a luxury good, not as food – so producers didn’t need to disclose additives or technical processes. That’s changed now.

Important to know: Some proxies or fermented drinks not covered by wine market regulations (like tea or herbal ferments) fall under regular food laws – and those already require full ingredient disclosure.

Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine – Ingredient Overview

Category	Producer	Product	Grape Variety	Sugar Content g/100 ml	Calories per 100 ml	Ingredients & Additives
Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine White	Bähr Pfalztraube GmbH	VITISECCO BLANC Edition Bouquet dry	Gewürztraminer, Pfalz	3	17	Grapes, preservatives: sulfites, L-ascorbic acid, dimethyldicarbonate (DMDC); stabiliser: metatartaric acid; carbon dioxide
	Bähr Pfalztraube GmbH	VITISECCO BLANC dry	Chardonnay, Riesling, Germany	3,2	17	Grapes, L-ascorbic acid, dimethyldicarbonate (DMDC); stabiliser: metatartaric acid; carbon dioxide, sulfites
	Kolonne Null	Cuvée Blanc No. 01	Cuvée Germany (Chardonnay, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder)	2,9	16	Alcohol-free wine (0.0% vol) from organically grown grapes, sugar substitute, carbonic acid, preservative: sulfur dioxide
	SOBERCIETY	Riesling Sparkling Alcohol-Free	Riesling, Germany	3,4	18	Dealcoholized wine (grapes, rectified grape must concentrate), carbon dioxide, dimethyldicarbonate (DMDC), sulfur dioxide
	Strauch Sektmanufaktur	Blanc Pur Alcohol-Free	Riesling	4,2	21	Dealcoholized wine from organically grown grapes, carbon dioxide, organic sugar, preservative: sulfur dioxide
	Weingut Mohr	Yakamozero	Rivaner, Scheurebe	3,8	15	Sparkling drink from dealcoholized wine, sulfites
Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine Rosé	Thomson & Scott	Noughty Non Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé	Tempranillo Southern Spain	2,9	14	Alcohol-free Tempranillo, sugar, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide; contains sulfites
	III Freunde	Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling	k.A.	6,5	26	Dealcoholized wine, sugar, carbonic acid, preservative: sulfur dioxide

How “Alcohol-Free” Is Alcohol-Free Sparkling?

To be officially labeled alcohol-free, sparkling wine must contain no more than 0.5% residual alcohol – roughly the same as many fruit juices and fermented foods. Two of the bottles we tested even claim to be at 0.0%: the Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling by III Freunde and the Yakamozero from Weingut Mohr. But even anything below 0.5% is considered safe – including for pregnant women and anyone avoiding alcohol for health or personal reasons. Fun fact: small amounts of residual alcohol are also found in everyday foods like sourdough bread, grape juice, or a very ripe banana.

How Long Does Alcohol-Free Sparkling Last?

Alcohol-free sparkling is a fresh product – think of it like apple juice. It won’t last as long as the classic stuff. Once opened, the lack of alcohol makes it more prone to oxidation.

• Shelf life (unopened): Approx. 1–2 years (varies by brand – check the bottle)
• Shelf life (opened): 1–3 days in the fridge with a sparkling wine stopper – after that, it quickly loses flavour, freshness, and, most importantly, bubbles. Best enjoyed right after opening.

Sparkling Proxies on Test – Inspired by Bubbly, but Not a Replacement

Proxies take a totally different approach. They’re not trying to imitate traditional sparkling wine – instead, they bring fresh flavours and bold new taste concepts to the table. No limits, just pure imagination.

The result? Standalone drinks that shine as aperitifs, dinner companions and food pairings – without desperately trying to mimic sparkling wine. Proxies play freely with flavours, textures, and ideas. And that’s what makes them so exciting: no pale imitations here, just character-packed drinks – from Nordic rough to French chic.

Take the Bemuse Origo Brut, a dry honey sparkling with a pleasantly bitter edge. Or Blå by the Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company, which crafts its own culinary language with herbs and tea. Far & Søn Gentle Thai adds a hit of Asian freshness to your glass, while French Bloom Le Blanc and Le Rosé ooze festive elegance. PriSecco TEASECCO by Jörg Geiger and PICA PICA Gezwitscher No. 10 go wild with fruits and herbs, and Villbrygg FJELL 01 brings Norwegian forest vibes to the dinner table.

All in all? These are drinks with real personality – opening up entirely new worlds of flavour in the alcohol-free space.

Proxies – Ingredient Overview

Producer	Product	Sugar Content g/100 ml	Calories per 100 ml	Ingredients & Additives
Bemuse	Bemuse Origo Brut – Alcohol-Free Honey Sparkling	2,2	12	Raw spring wildflower honey, water, yeast, Cascade, Citra and Ekuanot hops. (gluten-free)
Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company	Blå Alcohol-free, Bio	5	20	Green tea, 19% white tea, black tea (14% jasmine, 3% Darjeeling), carbon dioxide, herbal tea, water, preservative: citric acid, grape juice, lemon juice
Far & Søn	Gentle Thai	6,2	30	Water, organic sugar, organic grape juice, organic Thai basil, organic ginger juice, citric acid (E330)
French Bloom	Le Blanc	5,9	28	French Gensac® spring water with carbonation, white organic grape juice, dealcoholized wine, organic lemon juice, natural grape flavour
French Bloom	Le Rosé	4,2	19	French Gensac® spring water with carbonation, white grape juice, dealcoholized Chardonnay wine, lime juice, natural grape flavour
Jörg Geiger	PriSecco TEASECCO	5,9	27	Apple juice (44%), pear juice, peach juice*, water, green tea (2%), herbs, spices, carbon dioxide. DE-ÖKO-006 EU agriculture. Beverage based on apple juice with herbs and spices
PICA PICA	Gezwitscher No. 10	11,5	48	Apple juice (62%), grape juice (25%), gooseberry juice (12.8%), herbs (0.2%) – carbonated
Villbrygg	FJELL 01 (Mountain)	4,3	19	Carbonated water, lingonberry concentrate (3.3%), unrefined sugar (2.8%), lemon grass (0.3%), rosemary (0.2%), birch leaves (0.1%), milk thistle, salt

Alcohol-Free Sparklings and Proxies on Test – 5 Key Takeaways

1. Bottle Design: Between Tradition and Haute Couture

What does an alcohol-free sparkling need to look like if it wants to be taken seriously – and actually land on the table at a celebration? Some go the traditional route, like Jörg Geiger. Others lean into bold design, minimalist labels, and modern Scandi branding. French Bloom gives off Champagne vibes with a logo that feels straight out of a French couture house. Our takeaway: when it comes to alcohol-free sparklings and their alternatives, looks do matter – especially if you’re toasting something worth celebrating.

2. Not All Bubbles Are Created Equal

While traditional sparkling wine gets its fine bubbles from secondary fermentation, the carbonation in alcohol-free alternatives is a different story. Some bubbles are big and gone in seconds, others linger with a sparkling water feel, and a few surprise with a fine mousseux that’s straight-up Champagne-like. Some feel festive and fizzy, others rough or short-lived. With proxies, the bubbles are often intentionally subtle to let flavours and textures shine.
Our takeaway: carbonation is often the key quality marker in non-alcoholic sipping.

3. Bubbles Fill the Alcohol Gap

Alcohol is the invisible backbone of a drink – it carries flavours, adds structure, and gives that rounded mouthfeel we know from wine and bubbly. Without it, many drinks fall flat, with a finish that vanishes before it starts. That’s where carbonation steps in – it can mask missing depth, bring freshness, and fill that sensory void. It doesn’t replace alcohol, but it plays with your tongue and keeps things lively.
Lesson learned: the better the bubbles are integrated, the more “complete” alcohol-free sparkling feels.

4. Solo Act or Team Player?

Some non-alcoholic sparklings are born performers – no food needed. They stand out on their own with elegance, finesse, and fine bubbles, the perfect partner for a summer evening. Others are team players: maybe not mind-blowing on their own, but paired with the right dish? Total glow-up. And then there are the proxies – ideal for mixing into spritzy mocktails or clever aperitifs.
Takeaway: every sparkling has its role – and that’s exactly what makes this category so exciting.

5. No Hangover Feel With Proxies

Non-alcoholic sparkling but still waking up groggy? With proxies, that feeling was notably absent. One possible reason: many proxies skip the sulfites commonly used in wine as preservatives – and for some, those can trigger headaches.
Conclusion: Proxies don’t just surprise with flavour – they might just treat you better the next day too.

Hangover After an Alcohol-Free Tasting?

Hangover after non-alcoholic sparkling? Yep, it’s possible – and here’s why. Spoiler: it’s usually not the (lack of) alcohol that’s to blame.

1. Sugar and Sulfites
   Alcohol-free wines and sparklings often have more residual sugar or added preservatives like sulfites. Sugar spikes can mess with your blood sugar levels, leading to fatigue and headaches. And some people are sensitive to sulfites, which can trigger hangover-like symptoms.
2. Histamines and Other Biogenic Amines
   Just like regular sparkling wine, non-alcoholic versions can contain histamines. If you’re intolerant to histamine, that could mean headaches, dizziness, nausea – even heart palpitations.
3. Dehydration
   No alcohol doesn’t mean no need for water. A lot of people forget to hydrate when drinking alcohol-free bubbly. Result: mild dehydration, which can feel a lot like… well, a hangover.
4. Psychological Effects or the “Placebo Hangover”
   The brain often links the taste and ritual of sparkling wine to the feeling of a hangover. Expectations and subconscious associations can kick in – even when you’re sipping something non-alcoholic.

In other words: yes, you can feel hungover after alcohol-free sparkling. But it’s not the alcohol – it’s your body reacting to sugar, sulfites, histamines, or simply not drinking enough water.

Zero Booze, Full Choice – Where to Find Great Non-Alcoholic Wine

From bland supermarket vibes to sleek design-shop cool – as demand grows, more and more platforms are popping up to offer non alcoholic drinks. We’ve picked out three of the most stylish, well-curated shops and marketplaces from the crowd. Get inspired!

1. Sober Is the New Sexy? Head to SOBERCIETY

No interest in hangovers or losing control? SOBERCIETY has your back with a curated lineup of drinks that prove pleasure doesn’t need alcohol. Their motto? “Taste Beyond Alcohol.” The Berlin-based brand isn’t about offering knockoffs of boozy classics – it’s all about bold, full-flavored alternatives. From sparkling wine to aperitifs, everything is carefully selected with input from top bartenders.

2. Nothing Bland About It – World of NIX Delivers

Founded in 2021 by Frederike de Groot and Wim Boekema, World of NIX is Europe’s first non alcoholic spirits store – both brick-and-mortar and online. Their mission? To inspire people to drink less alcohol without giving up style or enjoyment. Instead of generic substitutes, you’ll find handpicked highlights: dealcoholized wines, sparkling teas, kombucha and bold ginger elixirs – all with real character. Still think non alcoholic is boring? You clearly haven’t been to World of NIX.

Far From Ordinary: Honest & Rare

From alcohol free craft beers to small-batch sparkling wines, Honest & Rare brings together handmade drinks and rare foodie finds from small producers. Launched in 2019 in Berlin by Yascha Roshani and Alex, the platform is a deliberate alternative to supermarket sameness. Whether you’re into booze-free gin, fermented sodas or natural wines without the buzz – the non alcoholic lineup here is way bigger (and cooler) than you’d expect.

Which One’s the Best Non-Alcoholic Free Sparkling? And the Top Proxy? – Winners and Losers

Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling in Our Test: Thomson & Scott – Noughty Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé

Thomson & Scott – The New Sobriety in a Glass

Amanda Thomson wasn’t out to simply “remove the alcohol” – she wanted a true alternative with style and substance. The former BBC broadcaster studied wine at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu in Paris before founding Thomson & Scott. With Noughty, she launched the first premium portfolio of non-alcoholic wines – now served in top hotels like the Mandarin Oriental and Ritz Carlton. By the way, “Noughty” plays on the double meaning of “nought” (as in zero – a nod to 0% alcohol) and “naughty”. The brand stands proudly for zero booze – but with plenty of attitude, fun, and a wink.

Winner: Noughty Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé – Champagne Vibes

• Price: €14.95
• Grape variety: Tempranillo, southern Spain
• Bottle design: elegant, minimalist, nice typography
• Colour: rosé
• Nose: brioche notes, Champagne-like
• Taste: balanced, very fine bubbles, berries and citrus

Sometimes all it takes is one glass to lift the mood – and that’s exactly what Noughty Sparkling Rosé delivers. A delicate blush in the glass and a nose full of brioche instantly recall classic Champagne. On the palate, it strikes a perfect balance of fresh berry and citrus notes, carried by a lively, ultra-fine sparkle. The result? An alcohol-free sparkling that leaves nothing to be desired – not in structure, not in elegance. The minimalist bottle design with clean typography completes the package, perfectly matching its premium vibe. A no-compromise choice for anyone craving Champagne flair without the buzz – and a well-deserved winner in our test.

Last Place in the Race for Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling: III FREUNDE – Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling

III FREUNDE – When Three Becomes Two, There’s More Sparkling for Everyone

Three friends set out to make wine – now it’s down to two. Juliane Eller, who originally founded III FREUNDE with Joko Winterscheidt and Matthias Schweighöfer, has since left the project. What remains is Joko, Matthias, and their vision of easy-drinking, no-fuss wine and bubbly. The vibe? More afterwork than fine dining. Non-alcoholic wines and sparklings that don’t try to impress – just ones you actually want to drink. In our white wine test, the Riesling Null scored a clear buy recommendation. But when it comes to their alcohol-free sparkling, III FREUNDE didn’t win us over.

Loser: Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling – More Hashtag Than Flavour

• Price: €12.90
• Grape variety: Pinot Noir
• Bottle design: simple, cool aesthetics
• Colour: rosé
• Nose: barely any aroma
• Taste: sweet, berry-forward

The III FREUNDE Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling Null looks like Côte d’Azur in a glass – but in the taste test, it leaned more “sweet fizzy water made for the ’gram.” It starts off fresh and rosé-chic, but quickly slips into teen party territory: too sweet, too safe, too sticky. It’s the kind of drink you pop at 11 a.m. by the pool – great for photos, underwhelming for the palate, and ultimately too sugary. It didn’t win us over in this test, but hey – it’ll still find more than three friends out there.

Best Proxy in Our Test: Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company – Blå Alcohol-Free Organic

Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company – Nordic Bubbles

The Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company is basically the avant-garde of alcohol-free fizz. Founded in Copenhagen and made for the fine-dining table, they don’t deal with dealcoholized wine – instead, they craft their drinks from high-quality teas. White, green, oolong, herbal – each is steeped at different strengths and blended like a cuvée. The result? Complex, elegant drinks that float somewhere between sparkling wine, tea ceremony, and Nordic haute cuisine. They’re not trying to be a substitute – they’re creating a whole new category in the glass: minimalist, stylish, and surprisingly versatile.

Best in Test: Blå Alcohol-Free Organic – Tea Worth Toasting

• Price: €19.90
• Base: black, white, and green tea
• Bottle design: elegant, minimalist, beautifully coloured
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: elegant, fresh, and floral
• Taste: jasmine and quince, lightly spiced finish

“Blå” simply means “blue” in Danish – and at the Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company, it stands for depth, elegance, and unexpected complexity. Made from a blend of 12 different teas, Blå brings together floral lightness and full-bodied character: Jasmine, quince, and a fresh bouquet open the flavor journey, followed by chamomile and delicate white teas that lend calm and balance. Subtle black teas provide structure and depth in the background, culminating in a layered, almost meditative experience – best savored from a Champagne glass. Whether as an aperitif, with food, or simply as a refined alcohol-free option, this sparkling tea is quietly confident, beautifully balanced, and absolutely deserving of its top spot in the proxy category.

Best Buy in the Proxy Category: PICA PICA – Gezwitscher No. 10

PICA PICA – Fun Without the Fizz

PICA PICA is a young German brand from the Saarland proving that non-alcoholic doesn’t have to be boring. Inspired by a round-the-world trip and named after the curious magpie (Pica pica), the team fills its bottles with vibrant, booze-free drinks – from zesty cider to fruity “Gezwitscher” secco and warming mulled apple. Instead of mass production, PICA PICA works with old fruit varieties and traditional meadow orchards – flavour with a purpose, where every bottle helps preserve a slice of nature.

Best Buy: Gezwitscher No. 10 – Raise a Glass to the Orchards!

• Price: €14.90
• Base: apple juice, grape juice, gooseberry juice
• Bottle design: clean, elegant, nice typography
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: fruity, gooseberry
• Taste: fresh and layered

Gezwitscher No. 10 is a finely tuned cuvée made from old apple varieties, local gooseberries, and white grapes. Lemon verbena and meadowsweet add the finishing touch, resulting in a fruity-fresh secco with elegant bubbles – fully alcohol-free, vegan, and free from artificial additives. On the palate, juicy apple meets vibrant gooseberry acidity, lifted by a soft grape sweetness and rounded out with herbal-floral notes. Sparkling in the glass, charming and well-balanced on the tongue – perfect for stylish occasions or as a special aperitif. Fun to drink – and that’s why it’s our Best Buy!

Our Test Verdict

Nothing to complain about, really – quite the opposite! Many of the non-alcoholic sparklings and bubblies genuinely surprised us with more character, freshness, and drinkability than we’d ever expected. We were especially intrigued by the avant-garde proxies that open up entirely new flavour territories – far beyond fizzy apple juice. So: chill the bottles, call up your favourite people, and raise a glass – to that summer feeling and the luxury of waking up hangover-free.

The Other Non-Alcoholic Sparklings and Proxies on Test

Bähr Pfalztraube GmbH – Tradition Without the Booze

Among all the stylish brands and big names, Weingut Bähr comes across as almost modest – despite being the first winery to receive the Federal Award of Honour for alcohol-free wines and seccos. Their website is no-frills, their marketing minimal – but their mission is clear: to make honest, non-alcoholic wine and sparkling for everyday drinking. In fact, Bähr is one of the few wineries that focuses exclusively on dealcoholized wines and seccos, earning regular recognition at both national and international competitions. For this test, Weingut Bähr entered two contenders: VITISECCO Blanc Dry and VITISECCO Bouquet Dry.

VITISECCO Blanc Dry – The Easygoing All-Rounder

• Price: €12.50
• Grape variety: Chardonnay
• Bottle design: traditional with a teddy bear, very minimal
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: grape, barrel, spicy
• Taste: grape, a hint of wood, slightly sweet

VITISECCO Blanc Dry comes across as grapey, lightly oaked, with faint Riesling vibes. It’s perfectly drinkable – not bone-dry, but not syrupy either. A fine, pleasant sparkle adds a touch of freshness, while the flavour leans toward a simple Pinot Blanc. It’s the kind of drink you can sip all day, in any setting, without thinking twice. Nothing flashy – just a solid, no-fuss alcohol-free sparkling for those who like to keep it chill.

VITISECCO Edition Bouquet Dry – The Intriguing Sibling

• Price: €17.50
• Grape variety: Gewürztraminer
• Bottle design: traditional with a teddy bear
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: floral notes, muscat
• Taste: subtly fruity, classic Gewürztraminer character

A completely different vibe from its sibling, VITISECCO Edition Bouquet Dry foams briefly when poured, then settles into a fine, elegant fizz. The nose is promising – and the palate delivers: unmistakable Gewürztraminer notes, currently very on-trend, with a slightly spicy, herbal finish and a pleasantly dry profile. It adds a welcome twist to the lineup.bIdeal with starters like pâté or Asian dishes, where the fresh structure and delicate aromatics really shine. The additional € 5 compared to the Blanc Dry? Money well spent.

Kolonne Null – Alcohol-Free Wine Without Compromise

Berlin-based brand Kolonne Null is all about premium alcohol-free wines and sparklings – no artificial flavours, colours, or additives. Instead of mass production, the focus is on craftsmanship and close collaboration with top wineries. The goal? To refine vintage wines and cuvées so they shine even without the alcohol. As a trendsetter in the non-alcoholic wine scene, Kolonne Null blends sustainability with modern lifestyle, appealing to a younger generation that values mindful drinking and conscious indulgence. Their base wines are fine-tuned until everything clicks – because Kolonne Null isn’t aiming to be a stand-in, but a genuine, high-quality alternative.

Cuvée Blanc No. 01 – Bubbles Without the Drama

• Price: €13.50
• Grape variety: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc
• Bottle design: cool Art Deco styling
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: cider, orchard vibes
• Taste: yellow fruit, slightly too sweet on the finish

Cuvée Blanc No. 01 kicks off with slightly coarse bubbles and finishes on a sweet note – maybe a bit too up-front, but that’s also what makes it so easygoing. You’ll taste yellow fruits like pear and mirabelle, with a hint of the brioche notes typical of sparkling wine. It’s anything but complex, easy to drink, and not the kind of bottle for deep talks or dramatic moments. But for a relaxed after-work toast? It’s spot on: pour, clink, enjoy.

SOBERCIETY – The New Sobriety in a Glass

Online marketplace, guide, and community – SOBERCIETY is a digital platform for everyone who wants to live alcohol-free and enjoy it. From non-alcoholic gin to sparkling wines, everything here comes with zero ABV but full-on style. SOBERCIETY offers a range of alcohol-free wines and bubblies from various producers – and with the Riesling Sparkling submitted for this test, they’re also showcasing their own in-house line. The wine itself isn’t homegrown but created in partnership with select German wineries. Clean design, clear message: no alcohol, no sacrifice. But we wanted to know – how does their sparkling hold up in the glass?

Riesling Sparkling Alcohol-Free – A Lasting Impression

• Price: €12.90
• Grape variety: Riesling
• Bottle design: minimalist, looks like it came from a black-and-white printer
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: apple, pear, sparkling wine
• Taste: green, fruity, acid-driven

One sip and the sparkle hits instantly: SOBERCIETY’s Riesling Sparkling packs the most acidity in the lineup – bold and bright. But instead of fading fast, the flavour lingers, showing off crisp green apple and a subtle tea note that adds depth. The finish? Clean and long-lasting. Uncomplicated yet confident, this is for anyone wanting an non-alcoholic sparkling that doesn’t whisper. All in all, the SOBERCIETY Riesling Sparkling lands solidly in the middle of the pack – and leaves a good impression.

Strauch Sektmanufaktur – Solid Organic Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship, organics, and individuality – Strauch Sektmanufaktur is all about sparkling character from Rheinhessen. This family-run business focuses on traditional bottle fermentation, local roots, and a clear philosophy: to make sparkling wines that stand out. It’s also the only certified organic sparkling wine producer in Germany. Alongside their classic (alcoholic) range, they offer non-alcoholic options too: Blanc Pur and Rosé Pur. For our test, they entered the Blanc Pur Alcohol-Free.

Blanc Pur Alcohol-Free – The Bubble Bomb

• Price: €11.90
• Grape variety: Riesling
• Bottle design: gold and deep red, elegant graphic design
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: apple, sparkling wine
• Taste: classic Riesling notes – apple, peach

Blanc Pur Alcohol-Free brings the full sparkling experience to your glass: intense mousseux, loads of bubbles up front – and they stick around well into the finish, sometimes leaving a little echo in the stomach. Flavour-wise, it plays it safe – clean and easy, which makes it very accessible and crowd-friendly. Important tip: let it breathe for a few minutes. At first, the carbonation overwhelms everything, but then those subtle Riesling notes start to shine. Nicely dry, not sweet or sticky – a booze-free sparkling wine that just about anyone can get along with.

Weingut Mohr – Where Orient Meets Occident

In the Rheingau region – more precisely in Lorch – Weingut Mohr has made a name for itself with 100% organic viticulture, plenty of hands-on work, and a clear vision. “The complex play of aromas is my world. At our winery, I joyfully unite Orient and Occident into a thousand and one flavours,” says co-owner Saynur Sonkaya-Neher, capturing the spirit of this German-Turkish estate. Alongside character-rich Rieslings, the winery also produces alcohol-free options. Tradition meets love for experimentation – and we put their Yakamazero to the test.

Yakamozero – All That Glitters

• Price: €11.90
• Grape variety: Rivaner, Scheureb
• Bottle design: blue and gold, elegant and festive
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: apple, sparkling wine
• Taste: zesty with delicate fruit notes

With Yakamozero, Weingut Mohr introduces its first sparkling drink made from non-alcoholic wine – and the name itself tells a story. Yakamoz, the Turkish word for the moonlight shimmering on water, was once voted the most beautiful word in the world. Combined with Zero for no alcohol, the result is Yakamozero. That poetic, exotic name had us expecting a bit more wow – the Rivaner and Scheurebe don’t quite shine through as much as hoped. Still, what you get is a lively alcohol-free sparkling with pleasant perlage that brings good vibes to the glass. Paired with its elegant label, it’s a bottle you can confidently serve at any occasion.

Bemuse – In the Name of the Bee

Mead – the drink of the gods – might have ancient roots, but Anna and Nataliya are showing just how modern it can taste with Bemuse. Since 2020, they’ve been reimagining honey wine with alcohol-free versions that fuse tradition and innovation. The base is simple and premium: honey, water, yeast, and natural flavours. Their honey comes exclusively from responsible beekeepers who prioritise bee welfare and biodiversity. The result is a light, sparkling drink that brings the story of mead into the now – thoughtful, exciting, and surprisingly versatile. We tested the Origo Brut to find out: does it truly taste divine?

Origo Brut – Alcohol-Free Honey Sparkling – Mead: Love It or Leave It

• Price: €14.95
• Base: honey and hops
• Bottle design: unconventional, artistic, modern
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: blossoms, herbs, honey
• Taste: honey, floral

Origo Brut is Bemuse’s most purist creation, and focuses on just three core ingredients: honey, water, and yeast. And that’s exactly where opinions split. Most of our testers found the honey aroma to be slightly overpowering. Still, this modern take on mead has its charm: the nose opens with a floral honey character, more blossoms and herbs than sweetness. On the palate, it’s dry, with fine perlage that adds freshness and energy. The honey note tries to stay in the background – not always successfully. The finish is pleasantly rounded and surprisingly long for a non-alcoholic drink. It’s a complex sparkling best suited to honey lovers – and definitely an intriguing base for mixing.

Far & Søn – Modern drinking

The name means “Father & Son” – a nod to tradition, connection, and the joy of creating something together. This young Danish label brings those values into the now, offering elegant alcohol-free alternatives that capture Nordic clarity in a glass. Whether it’s sparkling drinks or flavourful booze-free wines, Far & Søn focuses on natural ingredients, fresh aromas, and design that’s as modern as their mission. Their proxies are crafted through traditional fermentation methods – think Champagne – paired with innovative brewing techniques. For our test, we popped open their Gentle Thai.

Gentle Thai – Asian Crossover

• Price: €15.50
• Base: sparkling organic herb-based drink
• Bottle design: elegant and understated
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: ginger, Thai basil, Asian-inspired
• Taste: citrusy, spicy, exotic

Fans of Asian flavours will love this sparkling alternative. Exotic, fresh, and surprisingly refined – Gentle Thai is one of the most exciting proxies in our test lineup. Inspired by Southeast Asian aromas, it delivers a gentle ginger heat and the zesty brightness of kaffir lime, rounded off with subtle herbal notes. The bubbles add lift, while the spices bring depth and personality – making this more than just a stand-in. It’s a sparkling non-alcoholic drink in its own right, ideal as an aperitif or paired with light dishes. Gentle Thai proves that alcohol-free doesn’t have to mean boring – it can be bold, vibrant, and full of flavor.

French Bloom – For the Chic and the Sober

French Bloom might just be the most glamorous answer to the non-alcoholic sparkling question – born from friendship and a shared vision. In 2019, Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger, then Director of the Michelin Guide, and top model Constance Jablonski founded French Bloom – a bold, female-led brand redefining what celebration looks like. As of 2024, luxury giant Moët Hennessy/LVMH holds a minority stake, offering strategic support. The brand has racked up multiple awards, including World’s Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine for Le Rosé, and perfectly embodies the founders’ mission: a bouquet of joy and elegance. We put their two highly praised sparklings to the test.

Because French Bloom blends dealcoholized organic wines (Chardonnay & Pinot Noir) with grape must, natural flavours, and carbonation, it’s technically not a classic alcohol-free sparkling wine – though it’s often served as one. That makes it part of the proxy family – a category that spans both wine- and wine-free blends.

Le Blanc – Apple Spritz with Luxury Vibes

• Price: €28.76
• Base: dealcoholized wine, juice
• Bottle design: Champagne-style, elegant
• Colour: straw yellow
• Nose: pear, apple, white blossoms, mineral
• Taste: dry, fresh, balanced fruit

Le Blanc opens with aromas of pear, green apple, white flowers, and a hint of citrus. On the palate, it’s dry with a fine sparkle and light, fresh notes reminiscent of Chardonnay. Tropical hints and elegant minerality add structure, and the finish is creamy and pleasantly long.
Visually and branding-wise, it delivers serious elegance – but flavour-wise, it plays it safe. At times, it feels like a refined apple spritzer: crowd-pleasing and easy to drink, but a bit too tame for the price point. A stylish non-alcoholic sparkling, no doubt – but more gentle companion than showstopper.

Le Rosé – All Glam, Made for the Spotlight

• Price: €33.71
• Base: dealcoholized wine, juice
• Bottle design: Champagne-style, elegant
• Colour: rosé
• Nose: floral, berries, peach
• Taste: brioche note, fruity and floral

Le Rosé brings more intrigue than its sibling Le Blanc: the nose opens with rose petals, raspberries, and a hint of peach, layered with subtle yeast tones. On the palate, it’s dry, fresh, and lifted by a fine perlage that adds elegance and vibrancy. Floral and fruity notes mingle with a gentle spice, giving this rosé depth and character. The finish is clear, elegant, and long – almost like a Crémant or rosé Champagne. Still, for the premium price, we expected even more complexity. French Bloom Le Rosé is a stylish, alcohol-free alternative that shines at special occasions and looks the part – but it doesn’t exactly break new ground in the glass. A lot of polish for a lot of money – and truth be told, the TEASECCO by Jörg Geiger or the Gezwitscher from PICA PICA offer similar quality at half the price.

Manufaktur Jörg Geiger – Non-Alcoholic Indulgence Off the Beaten Path

Manufaktur Jörg Geiger from Schlat doesn’t follow the mainstream. Instead of producing classic alcohol-free sparkling wine, they create imaginative drinks and food pairings with complex flavours. Rather than just stripping wine of the alcohol, Geiger takes it further – blending old fruit varieties, herbs, and spices to craft something truly original.
The brand gained fame through its Priseccos – high-end fruit compositions that fuse artisanal skill with innovative thinking. The goal? Not a simple wine substitute, but a whole new taste experience. It’s all rooted in a deeply sustainable philosophy: preserving traditional meadow orchards, promoting natural cultivation, and reinterpreting handcrafted traditions. For this test, Jörg Geiger entered the TEASECCO – a PriSecco based on tea.

PriSecco TEASECCO – Swabian Orchard Meets Indian Green Tea

• Price: €10.90
• Base: green tea, meadow fruit
• Bottle design: classic Geiger style, traditional
• Colour: pale yellow
• Nose: apple, pear
• Taste: fruity with a bitter edge

With TEASECCO, Manufaktur Jörg Geiger delivers an elegant, non-alcoholic alternative. It’s built on a base of Swabian orchard fruit and organic Indian green tea, creating a tart-fresh flavour profile. Apple and pear add lightness, while the green tea brings depth and structure.
The fine perlage keeps things lively without being playful. Taste-wise, it’s clean, layered, and dry – perfect as an aperitif or paired with Asian cuisine. The distinctive green tea gives TEASECCO a bold, almost bitter note.

Villbrygg – Nordic Aromatics from Oslo

Villbrygg, a small Oslo-based craft producer, bottles up the essence of Nordic nature – completely alcohol-free. Since 2018, founders Cornelia Øiestad and Vanessa Krogh have been experimenting with wild herbs, berries, and plants, which they ferment, infuse, and gently carbonate. The result? Drinks like SKOG, ENG, and FJELL – evoking walks through Norwegian forests, meadows, and mountain trails. Dry, complex, and surprisingly elegant.
Rather than mimicking wine, Villbrygg creates its own category of food companions – which is exactly why their bottles are now making appearances in glasses at top restaurants around the world.

FJELL 01 (Mountain) – Nordic Chill with Sauna Vibes

• Price: €21.00
• Base: sparkling drink made from wild lingonberries
• Bottle design: modern, Scandinavian-style
• Colour: red
• Nose: berries, herbs
• Taste: bold, berry-forward, rosemary

FJELL 01 means “mountain” in Norwegian – and this non-alcoholic drink from Villbrygg captures the crisp, rugged vibe of Nordic highlands perfectly. Wild berries, meadowsweet, lemongrass, and floral hints give it a cool freshness and distinct mineral depth.
On the palate, the bold rosemary note gives it a sauna-like character – an unexpected and divisive element in our test that made it both memorable and a bit polarising. Dry, complex, and unapologetically original, FJELL 01 is a striking food companion that brings a breath of Nordic mountain air to your glass.