The Best Alcohol-Free Red Wines – Sobering up? 14 Alcohol-Free Red Wines and Red Wine Alternatives Reviewed

Alcohol-free red wine – a bad joke or a real alternative?
Dinner parties, family holidays, Netflix nights – we love red wine. But does the love hold up even without the alcohol? We tested 14 alcohol-free red wine alternatives, from impressively good ones to some we wouldn’t even use to cook.

Table of contents

1. All Alcohol-Free Red Wines and Alternatives at a Glance
2. 5 Prejudices Against Alcohol-Free Red Wine
3. How Do You Get the Spirit out of the Bottle? How Non-Alcoholic Red Wine is Made
4. Does It Have to Be Non-Alcoholic Red Wine? Or Are Proxy Wines the Better Alcohol-Free Red Wine Alternative?
5. Non-Alcoholic Red Wines & Red Wine Alternatives – 7 Takeaways from Our Testing
6. What Did We Learn from Our Tasting & Test for the Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine?
7. Zero booze, all the choice – where to find great alcohol-free drinks
8. Which One Is the Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine?
9. Single Reviews

Whether it’s a dinner party without the hangover, a cosy drink after a long sport-weekend, Dry January, or just plain curiosity – alcohol-free red wine is trending. But why?

The answer is obvious: red wine is all about depth, character, and emotions – just like coffee. We associate it with special moments, great food, and what most of us simply call “the good life”. What we don’t love? Stinking hangovers and caffeine jitters. So wouldn’t it be amazing if we could enjoy it all without the downsides? But can alcohol-free red wine really deliver? Is wine still wine without the alcohol? Blogs and affiliate sites are full of glowing reviews – but how good are these wines really? And most importantly: is the hype legit?

All Alcohol-Free Red Wines and Alternatives at a Glance

We deliberately opted for a broad selection: classic alcohol-free red wines from different grape varieties, innovative blends, and proxy wines – drinks that don’t even try to mimic red wine but offer a completely new flavor experience. Why such variety? First off, not all alcohol-free red wines are the same. The final result depends heavily on the grape – some retain more structure and depth after dealcoholization, while others lose almost everything that makes them special. And since many wine lovers skip alcohol-free reds altogether and go straight for an alternative, we also included a few proxy wines in our test.

And the price? The wines we tested range from €6 to nearly €40– a pretty big price gap. But does a higher price mean better taste? We tasted the wines to find out.

Producer	Product	Grape Variety	Region	Price per 750 ml Bottle (€)
ARENSBAK	ARENSBAK Red	Proxy (Teabase)		15,90
Carl Jung GmbH	Carl Jung Merlot	Merlot	Spain	5,90
Carl Jung GmbH	Carl Jung Cabernet Sauvignon	Cabernet Sauvignon	N/A	5,90
Gnista	Red (No Wine) – Italia Style	Proxy (Juice-based)		16,90
Kolonne Null	Cuvée Rouge NO.02	Tempranillo, Syrah	Spain, La Meseta	12,80
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger	Inspiration 4.7	Entalkoholisierter Traubenwein (51 %), Fruchtsäfte	Germany, Swabian Meadow Orchard	14,00
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger	37°	Pinot Noir (69 %), Juices and Spices	Germany	16,90
Oddbird	GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre)	Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre	South-France Saint-Chinian	16,00
Oddbird	Addiction	Organic Tempranillo	Spain, Quintana del Pidio, Ribera del Duero	16,00
Oddbird	Domaine de la Prade Merlot & Shiraz	Merlot & Shiraz	France, Languedoc-Roussillon	14,00
Peter Mertes KG Weinkeller	BREE Free alkoholfrei	N/A	Germany	5,49
Weingut Heribert Bayer	Zeronimo Leonis Blend	Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Cabernet Sauvignon	Austria, Neckenmarkter Hochberg	36,70
Weingut Heribert Bayer	Zeronimo Zweigelt	Zweigelt	Austria, Neckenmarkter Hochberg	18,40
Torres	Natureo Tinto	Syrah	Spain	8,95

For our tasting, we put 14 alcohol-free red wine alternatives through a serious stress test– not just in a wine glass, but on the road.

First stop: Nice. The wines joined us on our gravel race bike comparison test and the night shoot of the Canyon Aeroad on the Côte d’Azur. Long days in the saddle, dust everywhere, burning quads – and in the evening, a glass of red wine. The perfect moment for honest feedback: which alcohol-free red wine actually hits the spot after a tough day off-road?

The tasting continued back in Germany at our headquarters, where we went through round two and three. After all, a good alcohol-free red should work not just after an intense ride but also over lunch with the crew in Leonberg and on a date night at home.
The verdict? Disappointing.

Whether under the South of France sun or at the dinner table, most of the 14 wines we tested wouldn’t make it into our shopping cart.

5 Prejudices Against Alcohol-Free Red Wine

Alcohol-free wines are trending, but opinions are all over the place. Our friend groups have debated this topic endlessly– often with a mix of half-truths and strong opinions. Is alcohol-free red wine really just overpriced grape juice? Time to break down the biggest clichés and separate facts from fiction. Here are the top five myths:

1. Way too expensive for what you get
Alcohol-free red wine is just overpriced grape juice – no complexity, no depth, no character. At least, that’s what the critics say. And yes, it’s often more expensive than the alcoholic version. But is that justified, or just smart marketing?

2. Only for pregnant women and health fanatics
Order an alcohol-free red, and you might get insulted… Is it really just a drink for those who “can’t” have alcohol, or are there actually good reasons to choose it voluntarily?

3. It doesn’t taste good
Too sour, too sweet– alcohol-free wine is often seen as a compromise, something you drink only if you have to. But is that really the case? Can it actually taste good?

4. Sugar-bomb?
“Alcohol-free red wine has more sugar and calories than the real thing.” Is that true, or just another misconception?

5. There’s probably weird stuff mixed in
5. There’s probably weird stuff mixed in
Many people hesitate to try alcohol-free wine because they’re unsure about added ingredients and processing. In the end, is a classic glass of red wine actually the healthier choice?

As you can see, alcohol-free red wine has a tough time. Even before the first bottle is opened, criticism starts rolling in. But how much of it is true? Keep reading– we’re here to clear things up.

How Do You Get the Spirit out of the Bottle? How Non-Alcoholic Red Wine Is Made

Before judging non-alcoholic red wine, it’s worth understanding how it’s made. Why is it often more expensive than expected? What’s the deal with the dealcoholization process? How long does it last, and how much sugar is actually in that ruby-red pour?

Non-alcoholic red wine isn’t just fancy grape juice – it’s actually real wine with the alcohol removed after fermentation. And that’s exactly why production is so complex (and pricey). Alcohol carries flavor, so taking it out without stripping the wine of its character is an art in itself. The challenge: remove the alcohol, keep the taste (hopefully).

There are two main methods to remove alcohol from wine:
1. Vacuum distillation: The wine is distilled under vacuum at a low temperature (around 30°C). This allows the alcohol to evaporate while preserving as much aroma as possible. Theoretically, those aromas are then added back.
2. Reverse osmosis: The wine is filtered through special membranes that separate alcohol, water, and small aroma molecules. The alcohol is removed, and the rest is mixed back together. This method is more commonly used to reduce alcohol content rather than eliminate it completely.

Sugar, Calories & Additives – How Healthy Is Non-Alcoholic Red Wine?
A common criticism of alcohol-free wine are the supposedly unhealthy ingredients. You often hear: “It’s full of sugar and packed with calories!” But is that true?

Calories: in reality, regular wine tends to have more calories – because of the alcohol. So, good news for those watching their figure: non-alcoholic wine contains up to 70% fewer calories than traditional wine, with sugar content usually sitting at just under 4 g per 100 ml. Whether it’s sweetened with sucrose or grape must? Check the label.

Additives & Labeling: even conventional wine often contains more than just grapes. That’s why, starting December 8, 2023, new labeling requirements apply. Until now, EU law classified wine as a luxury good rather than a food product. This meant winemakers weren’t required to list additives or processing aids. That has changed now.

Dealcoholized Wines – Overview of Ingredients

Manufacturer	Product	Sugar Content	Calories per 100 g	Ingredients & Additives	Recommended Serving Temperature
Carl Jung GmbH	Carl Jung Merlot	4,0 g / 100 ml	22,9 kcal	Dealcoholized wine, rectified concentrated grape must, preservative: sulfur dioxide	8–10 Degrees
Carl Jung GmbH	Carl Jung Cabernet Sauvignon	4,0 g / 100 ml	19,4 kcal	Dealcoholized wine, rectified concentrated grape must, preservative: sulfur dioxide	10 Degrees
Kolonne Null	Cuvée Rouge NO.02	2,3 g / 100 ml	15 kcal	Dealcoholized wine, sucrose, carbon dioxide, preservative: sulfur dioxide	15–18 Degrees
Oddbird	GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre)	4,0 g / 100 ml	21,1 kcal	Dealcoholized wine, rectified concentrated grape must, preservatives: sulfites, tannins	N/A
Oddbird	Addiction	3,3 g / 100 ml	19 kcal	Dealcoholized organic wine, rectified concentrated grape must, preservative: sulfites	N/A
Oddbird	Domaine de la Prade Merlot & Shiraz	4,0 g / 100 ml	18 kcal	Dealcoholized wine, rectified concentrated grape must, preservative: sulfites	N/A
Peter Mertes KG Weinkeller	BREE Free alkoholfrei	4,8 g / 100 ml	24 kcal	97% dealcoholized wine (grapes, acidity regulators, antioxidant: sulfites), sugar, natural flavors	N/A
Weingut Heribert Bayer	Zeronimo Leonis Blend	2 g / 100 ml	10,6 kcal	Dealcoholized wine, concentrated grape must, preservative: sulfites	13–14 Degrees
Weingut Heribert Bayer	Zeronimo Zweigelt	2,1 g / 100 ml	11,9 kcal	Dealcoholized wine, concentrated grape must, preservatives: sulfites, E242	14–15 Degrees
Torres	Natureo Tinto	3,8 g / 100 ml	20 kcal	Dealcoholized wine, preservatives: sulfites, E242	14–16 Degrees

Despite the lower calory count, the search for the best non-alcoholic red wine can be disappointing. After alcohol removal, the wine is often unbalanced– lacking structure, body, and sometimes even the characteristic acidity. That’s why it’s adjusted afterward, usually with:

• Grape must or sugar – to round off the flavor
• CO₂ – for a fresher note
• Sulfites (SO₂) – for preservation, just like in regular wine

How “Alcohol-Free” Is Non-Alcoholic Red Wine?
For a wine to be officially considered alcohol-free, it must contain no more than 0.5% residual alcohol – similar to many fruit juices or fermented foods. In our “Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine” comparison test, some products even hit 0.0%, like Torres’ Natureo Tinto and Inspiration 4.7 by Jörg Geiger. Any wine under 0.5% alcohol is considered safe, even for pregnant women and those avoiding alcohol for health or personal reasons. Fun fact: even natural foods like sourdough bread and ripe bananas contain trace amounts of alcohol.

How Long Does Non-Alcoholic Red Wine Last?
Non-alcoholic red wine is a fresh product – think of it like apple juice. It doesn’t keep as long as regular wine. Once opened, the lack of alcohol makes it more prone to oxidation, which causes it to spoil quicker. So, it’s best to drink it quickly– or get creative! Leftovers work great in sauces or as a base for alcohol-free mulled wine.

Unopened:

• Shelf life of at least 6–12 months (depending on the manufacturer).
• The best-before date (BBD) is a guideline, but the wine is still drinkable beyond that most of the time.

Opened:

• In the fridge: 3-5 days – after that, it loses significant flavor and freshness.
• With a vacuum pump or protective gas: up to 7 days.

Tip:

• Always store tightly sealed and in a cool place.
• If it starts smelling like vinegar or overripe grape juice: toss it!

Does It Have to Be Non-Alcoholic Red Wine? Or Are Proxy Wines the Better Alcohol-Free Red Wine Alternative?

Given that making a truly great non-alcoholic red wine is a challenge, some winemakers take a different approach. Proxy wines aren’t dealcoholized wines in the traditional sense– they’re entirely new, creative drinks that break away from classic wine conventions.
Instead of removing alcohol and struggling to retain the signature aromas of red or white wine, proxies take a fresh approach. Take Jörg Geiger’s manufactory, for example. Their alcohol-free “food companions” aren’t trying to win the title of Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine – they follow their own flavor concept. The dealcoholized red wine is enhanced with fruit juices, spices, or even chili, sometimes just lightly, sometimes more heavily.

Many proxy wines skip dealcoholized wine altogether. Their base? A blend of fruits, tea, herbs, spices, and juices – balanced for structure, acidity, depth, and mouthfeel. The result: a standalone drink that works as a food pairing, aperitif, or dinner drink – without trying to replicate traditional wine. Inspired by wine but not a copy, proxies are exciting because they’re free from old expectations. They experiment with flavors, textures, and ideas that don’t need to fit the wine mold. Perfect for anyone looking to discover something new instead of settling for lackluster red wine imitations.

For this reason, alongside ten traditionally dealcoholized red wines, we’ve also included four proxy wine creations in our test lineup.
1. ARENSBAK Red Non-Alcoholic
2. Gnista, Italian Red Wine Alternative
3. Manufaktur Jörg Geiger, Inspiration 4.7
4. Manufaktur Jörg Geiger, 37°

Proxies – Overview of Ingredients

Manufacturer	Product	Sugar Content	Calories per 100 g	Ingredients & Additives	Recommended Serving Temperature
ARENSBAK	ARENSBAK Red	2,0 g / 100 ml	19 kcal	Tea (water, cane sugar, Pu-erh tea, oak chips, marigold petals), fruit juice from concentrate (sour cherry, black currant), grape skin extract, aronia juice from concentrate, juniper, cultivated mushrooms, acidifier (tartaric acid), oak extract, licorice root, acidifier (lactic acid), black pepper, kombucha cultures.	12–14 Degrees
Gnista	Red (No Wine) – Italian Style	6,5 g / 100 ml	32 kcal	Juice (sour cherry, grape, rhubarb), water, dried spices & fruits (oak, raisins, pepper, wormwood), sugar beet syrup, extracts on a vodka base (licorice root, black pepper, habanero), sea salt, preserved with potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.	N/A
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger	Inspiration 4.7	8,1 g / 100 ml	26,8 kcal	Dealcoholized grape wine (51%), apple juice*, pear juice*, red currant juice, fennel juice, sour cherry juice (3%), bell pepper juice, chili (0.0003%), spices. *Made from Swabian meadow fruit. Grape juice-based drink with herbs and spices.	8–10 Degrees
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger	37°	2,7 g / 100 ml	14,1 kcal	De-alcoholized grape wine 69% (of which Pinot Noir 98%), cherry juice (11%), strawberry juice, blackberry juice, raspberry juice (4%), currant juice, grape juice, glycerin, yeast extract, herbal extract, flower extract (0.2%), and spices. Contains sulfites. De-alcoholized flavored wine-based beverage.	14–16 Degrees

The result? Interesting, exciting, and polarizing – and, depending on your taste, absolutely delicious! But there are big differences here too, and a lot depends on the situation and expectations.

Non-Alcoholic Red Wines & Red Wine Alternatives – 7 Takeaways from Our Testing

1. Bottle Design: Between Hip and Flop
Does a Non-Alcoholic Red Wine Alternative Have to Look Like Classic Red Wine?
Not necessarily,but it shouldn’t scream vodka mix from a teenager dance club either. Some brands stick to elegant, wine-like bottles, while others go for a modern look – and sometimes miss the mark completely. BREE Free Red? Looks more like a VIP Smirnoff bottle than something you’d proudly serve at dinner as the best non-alcoholic red wine.The takeaway? Great design feels modern and premium – without looking generic or cheap.

2. Reality vs. Marketing Hype
“On the palate, juicy blackberry, cherry, vanilla, and nougat aromas mingle with fine oak spice, rosemary, and black tea.” At least, that’s what the label promises. Our first sip? heer disappointment most of the time. The problem isn’t always the wines themselves – it’s the high expectations these fancy descriptions set.

You take a sip and baaang: instead of rich fruit, tannins, and elegant oak notes, all you get is thin, sour disappointment. Welcome to reality! Nothing brings you back down to earth faster than an overpriced glass of nothing at a fancy restaurant.

Maybe it’s time to rethink non-alcoholic red wine completely – and, more importantly, to forget everything we know about traditional wine. Usually, we discuss grape varieties, terroir, and vintages. In this tasting, though? We were just happy when the wine was actually enjoyable.

3. Non-Alcoholic Red Wines & Alternatives as Food Pairings – Better, but Good Enough?
With food, the experience is often more pleasant. The flavors of the dish help fill in what these wines lack: structure, depth, balance. But do we really need non-alcoholic red wine for that? Or would a well-made grape spritzer, a craft tea, or an intriguing proxy alternative be the smarter choice?

4. Flavor Shock & Getting Used to It
The first sips? A real shock to our taste buds. Our expectations dropped fast. “No way,” “Tastes artificial,” “What IS THIS?!” – our initial reactions were anything but enthusiastic. And here’s the problem:

• What’s supposed to taste natural often comes across as artificial.
• Typical grape variety aromas? Nowhere to be found.
• You’re already relieved if it just vaguely resembles red wine.

After a few sips, your taste buds start to adapt. The initial sharpness fades, and a certain acceptance sets in. It’s still nowhere near the pleasure of a real red wine – but with the right expectation, it’s drinkable at least.

5. From Wow to Watery – Big Differences Within the Same Brand
Think all non-alcoholic wines from the same producer taste similar? Think again. Even within a single brand, the differences can be huge. Some wines impress with a structure that actually resembles wine, while others fall flat – too thin, too sweet, or just plain watery.
Why? It comes down to grape varieties, dealcoholization methods, and post-processing techniques. Some wines lose almost everything that once made them special, while others retain more character with the right approach. The takeaway? A brand name alone doesn’t guarantee great taste.

6. Price vs. Performance – The Harsh Truth About Non-Alcoholic Red Wine
A pricey classic red? Makes sense– terroir, craftsmanship, aging. A pricey non-alcoholic red? That’s a tougher sell. First, a traditional red has to be made, only to have the alcohol painstakingly removed – a complex process that drives up costs. But does the taste justify the price? In our tasting, hardly any wine truly lived up to its cost. The cheaper ones often tasted just as good (or just as bad) as the expensive ones.

7. Why Even the Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine Struggles to Convince
Making a great non-alcoholic red wine is the ultimate challenge. White wines, sparkling wines, and beers have it easier – their freshness, acidity, and carbonation help mask the lack of alcohol. Red wine? A whole different game. It thrives on deep, complex aromas, tannins, structure, and body. Without alcohol as a flavor carrier, what’s often left is a watery memory of what was once wine. Many producers have realized this – and are turning to proxies instead of half-hearted wine substitutes.

But what does the future look like? Advances in dealcoholization will be key. But until then, the real question is: isn’t a bold new alternative better than a disappointing wine knockoff?
The whole debate feels a lot like the early days of vegan food. After all, isn’t a perfectly grilled eggplant way better than a bland tofu sausage?

What Did We Learn from Our Tasting & Test for the Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine?

Non-alcoholic red wine is still a work-in-progress. You have to be open-minded, and ready for some disappointment. For true red wine lovers, there might be one or two drinkable options, but nothing comes close to the real deal. Beginners, however, will have a different experience. In our office test, sweeter wines like the Torres Natureo were much better received. Oak-aged or very dry wines? Not so much.

Key takeaway: Chilling helps mask the flaws. So even the best non-alcoholic red wine should never be served too warm!

Our biggest lesson? Oliver, our wine expert from Highlevel Zero, put it perfectly:

You simply expected too much. That’s the real issue. There’s a lot of hype – and in the end, the consumer is left disappointed.

Zero booze, all the choice – where to find great alcohol-free drinks

From bland supermarket vibes to sleek designer-store aesthetics – as demand for alcohol-free drinks keeps growing, more and more platforms are popping up to cater to a buzz-free crowd. We’ve picked three of the coolest, most curated shops and marketplaces for you. Get inspired!

1. Sober is the New Sexy? Time to Meet Soberciety.
   No hangovers, no drama – just flavor. Soberciety offers a curated selection of drinks that proves that indulgence works just fine without the buzz. The brand’s motto, “Taste Beyond Alcohol,” says it all. SOBERCIETY isn’t about imitation but about offering a bold, distinctive alternative. Whether it’s sparkling wine, still wine, or aperitifs – the Berlin-based team carefully selects each beverage in collaboration with renowned bartenders.
2. World of Nix: All the Flavour, None of the Fuzz.
   Founded in 2021 by Frederike de Groot and Wim Boekema, World of Nix was Europe’s first non-alcoholic spirits shop with both a physical and an online shop. Their mission? To inspire people to drink less alcohol without compromising on pleasure and style. Instead of generic substitutes, they offer handpicked highlights: de-alcoholised wines, sparkling teas, kombucha, and ginger essences – all full of character and craft. Think alcohol-free means boring? You clearly haven’t been to the World of Nix.
3. Honest & Rare – Where Quality Beats Quantity.
   From alcohol-free craft beer to small-batch sparkling wine – Honest & Rare is a marketplace that brings together handcrafted drinks and rare foods from small producers. Founded in Berlin in 2019 by Yascha Roshani, the project positions itself as an alternative to supermarket monotony. Whether it’s alcohol-free gin, craft beer, or fermented lemonades – their range of non-alcoholic wines, spirits, and beers is impressively wide.

Which One Is the Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine?

We have to admit, this tasting pushed us to the limits. On the other hand, it also gave us some valuable insights. Most of the non-alcoholic red wines performed poorly, with just one exception: the proxy alternatives, which impressed us much more.

Winner:
Oddbird Domaine de la Prade GSM – the closest thing to real wine, €16,00

Best Buy:
Gnista, Italian Red Wine Alternative – a fresh and exciting surprise, €16,90

Loser:
BREE Free Red (alcohol-free) – tasteless vodka-bottle design with Capri Sun cherry and cough syrup notes, €5,49

Conclusions:

Out of the 14 non-alcoholic red wines and alternatives we tested, we’d only buy two. The rest? They’re either too sweet, too thin, or so far from even resembling the taste of red wine that the price just isn’t worth it.
But there’s hope – dealcoholization technology is evolving fast, and we’re confident that better options will emerge in the upcoming years. For now? Non-alcoholic rosé, sparkling wine, or innovative drinks like proxies often deliver more flavor and enjoyment.

Single Reviews

ARENSBAK – Fermented Innovation from Copenhagen

Danish brand ARENSBAK brings fine dining expertise to the world of non-alcoholic wine alternatives. Founded by a team with a background in top-tier gastronomy, ARENSBAK skips dealcoholized wine altogether and focuses on fermented tea instead. Their scientific approach and double fermentation create complex flavors – designed not as a wine substitute, but as an entirely new kind of food companion.

ARENSBAK Red – Acidity Meets Complexity

• Price: €15,90
• Bottle Design: The most aesthetically pleasing label in the entire test field, modern design with a well-matched colour palette
• Colour: Light red, slightly cloudy, reminiscent of rhubarb juice
• Nose: Musty, no typical juice aroma
• Taste: Dry, but also very acidity-driven

First Impression? Tart at first, then mildly sweet, with notes of redcurrant and vinegar. The fine acidity and complexity make it more exciting than many alcohol-free wines, but also more intense and unconventional. If you love acidity, you’re in for a flavour explosion with plenty of character. ARENSBAK Red doesn’t work as a classic red wine substitute – but it shines as a unique, multi-layered drink with a fresh tasting experience and intriguing aromas.

Carl Jung – Pioneer of Alcohol-Free Wines

“Wine needs flavour, not alcohol.” With this guiding principle, Carl Jung stands out as a brand synonymous with tradition in alcohol-free wines. As early as 1908, this family-owned company developed a patented method for dealcoholising wine – which makes it one of the pioneers of alcohol-free wine. Today, Carl Jung offers a wide range of options, from classic grape varieties to sparkling wines. The focus is on low-calorie wines with minimal residual sugar, carefully processed to preserve as much aroma as possible. With its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the winery enters the race with the most affordable alcohol-free red wines. But do they strike the perfect balance between flavour and alcohol-free enjoyment?

Carl Jung Alcohol Free Merlot – Tastes Better Than It Smells

• Price: €4,90
• Grape Variety: Merlot
• Bottle Design: Wanna-be-posh – tries to look premium but doesn’t quite pull it off, ending up rather cheap-looking
• Colour: Dark red
• Nose: Sour, slightly musty, reminiscent of a wooden cask – an uninviting start
• Taste: Velvety, berry-like, but ultimately watery

The first sip is surprising: a smooth body, fruity notes, noticeable tannins – intriguing at first. But disappointment follows quickly. Flat, watery, with no real finish. First sweet, then sour, with a hint of bitterness. Depth and character? None. Verdict: Drinkable but uninspiring. At least it tastes better than it smell s– but it’s neither exciting nor truly convincing. The price? Acceptable. For anyone looking for a real wine alternative? Meh, sort of.

Carl Jung Alcohol Free Cabernet Sauvignon – Plenty of Body, Little Enjoyment

• Price: €5,03
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Bottle Design: Wanna-be-posh – tries to look premium but doesn’t quite manage it, ending up rather cheap-looking
• Colour: Dark red
• Nose: Dark berries with a distinct grape juice note – pleasant
• Taste: Almost unpleasantly sour, redcurrants

Compared to the Merlot, the Cabernet Sauvignon initially smells more promising and appealing. It also starts off in the mouth with more body and fullness, spreading nicely and leaving a slightly fuzzy sensation on your tongue. But then comes the letdown: acidity and bitterness kick in, with a harsh, unbalanced finish. Verdict: Not a total failure, but not enjoyable either. It’s okay for the price and drinkable in the background – but nothing more. We’d clearly prefer the Merlot.
Looking for a real red wine alternative? That’s definitely not it. Not recommended.

Gnista Spirits – More Than Just Alcohol-Free Wine

The young Swedish label Gnista Spirits is redefining alcohol-free beverages. Instead of settling for bland alternatives, founder Erika Ollén carefully selects high-quality natural ingredients like juniper berries, citrus fruits, and various roots to emulate the distinctive flavours of traditional spirits. Each batch is handcrafted in small quantities with the goal of creating premium alcohol-free alternatives for adults – perfect for those who choose to skip the alcohol but not the taste or drinking experience. Designed to be enjoyed neat or as a base for mocktails, Gnista Spirits offers a sophisticated option for mindful drinking.

Gnista (No Wine) Italian Style – Unique and Refreshingly Different

• Price: €16
• Bottle Design: Modern, cool, with its own design language – not your typical wine look, but stylish
• Colour: Burgundy red, slightly cloudy
• Nose: Berry-like, sweet with honey notes – reminiscent of fruit juice, but more complex
• Taste: Bitter, cherry and citrus fruit, not sweet at all

Despite the sweet nose, the first sip is surprising: bitter, grapefruity, with a pleasantly textured finish. A distinct citrus freshness, no cloying mouthfeel, and most importantly – no watery imitation of red wine. Gnista Spirits doesn’t even try to mimic wine; instead, it embraces a completely unique character. If you enjoy bitterness, freshness, and a refined, slightly bitter note, this is a stylish alternative with structure and excitement. A clear buy recommendation from us!

Kolonne Null – Alcohol-Free Wine without Compromise

Berlin-based brand Kolonne Null focuses on premium alcohol-free wines– without using artificial flavors, colorings, or additives. Instead of mass production, craftsmanship and close collaboration with renowned wineries take center stage. The goal? Refine first-class vintage wines and cuvées in a way that ensures they impress even without alcohol. As a trendsetter in the non-alcoholic wine segment, Kolonne Null blends sustainability with a modern lifestyle, appealing to a younger generation committed to conscious enjoyment and mindful drinking. The base wines are meticulously perfected until the result hits the mark – because Kolonne Null aims not just to be a substitute, but a genuine alternative. Does it succeed?

Kolonne Null Cuvée Rouge No. 2 – More Style Than Substance

• Price: €12,80
• Grape Variety: Unknown
• Bottle Design: Cool Art Deco style, only wine in this test to have a cork – visually appealing
• Color: Dark red with a slight brownish tint
• Aroma: Pleasantly fruity, hints of lightly fermenting blackberries and red berries, sweet-sour yet unobtrusive
• Taste: Initially tart, reminiscent of cranberry juice, quickly fades away

What the nose promises quickly evaporates in the glass. Flat, little body, minimal depth – more grape juice with a hint of wine rather than a serious red wine alternative. The flavor starts slightly sour, becomes sweeter, but lacks any real finish.
Tannins? Yes, but without structure – just a fuzzy, bitter aftertaste. Overall, more reminiscent of cranberry juice with subtle red-wine notes than a convincing alcohol-free wine. Visually, it’s certainly a statement, but taste-wise, the Cuvée Rouge No. 2 falls flat. The bottle impresses, yet the contents disappoint. At around €13, it lacks substance – not persuasive enough for a recommendation. If you’re simply looking for a stylish bottle to place on your table, you’ll be happy. Want a good alcohol-free red wine? Better keep looking.

Manufaktur Jörg Geiger – Alcohol-Free Delights off the Beaten Track

Manufaktur Jörg Geiger from Schlat takes its own path: not your typical alcohol-free wine, but creative culinary companions with complex aromas. Instead of simply removing alcohol from wine, Geiger relies on rare fruit varieties, herbs, and spices to craft unique alternatives. The manufactory became renowned for its Priseccos – premium fruit compositions blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative thinking. The goal? Not merely a substitute for wine, but a completely new taste experience. Behind this philosophy is a rigorously sustainable approach: preserving old orchards, promoting natural cultivation methods, and reinterpreting artisanal traditions.

Inspiration 4.7 – Spicy, Wild, Unconventional

• Price: €12,50
• Bottle Design: Old-school yet clear, perfectly matching the artisanal character
• Color: Slightly brownish
• Aroma: Sharp, reminiscent of carrot juice or a green smoothie, slightly fermentative with sweet undertones
• Taste: Surprisingly different, featuring chili notes

The aroma is deceptive: while the nose hints at cough syrup or fermented vegetables, Inspiration 4.7 surprises with a mild chili kick, notes of red fruits, and layers of spice. Not a classic wine alternative, but more of a spicy, fruity “pepper wine” with a gentle fizz and a pleasantly hot finish. Definitely not for wine purists, but a thrilling discovery for adventurous palates eager to explore new taste sensations. Served chilled (8 – 10 °C), it’s an intriguing choice – and probably even more refreshing with ice cubes on a summer day.
Bottom line: if you try Inspiration, you won’t get a standard wine substitute, but rather an original, complex experience beyond typical red wine alternatives – all at 0% alcohol.

37° – Between Mulled-Wine Vibes and Red-Wine Alternative

• Price: €16,90
• Bottle Design: Elegant in gold-black, but overloaded with information
• Color: Dark red
• Aroma: Complex, bold, reminiscent of punch—but not grape juice-like
• Taste: Spicy, sparkling, mulled-wine character

The first sip coats your tongue lavishly, an unexpected flavor follows: sparkling, slightly sweet, spicy – with the depth of a red wine but lacking traditional wine structure. Delicate carbonation balances the sweetness, while fruit and spice notes evoke mulled wine or winter punch. Balanced, multi-layered – not merely fruit juice, yet far from a classic wine. 37° is exciting but best enjoyed in moderation– interesting for one glass, after that it could get taste overly sweet and just a little too easy to drink. The blend of fruit, spice, and fizz makes it an independent red-wine alternative with a strong character. Lovers of mulled wine will likely appreciate it.

Oddbird – Premium Wines with a Social Mission

Swedish label Oddbird produces premium alcohol-free wines – without artificial flavors, colouring, or additives. With a clear focus on sustainability and a minimal carbon footprint, the brand has established itself in the premium segment, with the modern, cool branding reinforcing its intentions. The founder, whose background is in social work, pursues a clear mission with Oddbird: offering a high-quality alternative to alcoholic wines while aiming to reduce the negative impacts associated with regular alcohol consumption. Fittingly, their bold slogan is: “Liberated from alcohol.”

Oddbird Domaine de la Prade Merlot & Shiraz – Quite Nice, but Bland

• Price: around €12
• Grape Varieties: Merlot & Shiraz
• Bottle Design: Simple, understated – the least striking of the three Oddbird wines
• Color: Dark red
• Aroma: Sweetish, with a faint hint of grape juice
• Taste: Pleasant, but without surprise effect

Part red wine, part grape juice – Domaine de la Prade is rather unspectacular. It’s tannic, mildly sweet, low in acidity, and somewhat watery– as if a dry grape juice were attempting to imitate red wine. Not a total flop, but far from inspiring. Bottom line: You’ll find more exciting alternatives at this price. Our advice? Spend an extra €4 for the Oddbird GSM – or €6 more for Jung’s Merlot, which has significantly more character.

Oddbird Domaine de la Prade GSM – The Closest Thing to Real Wine

• Price: approx. €16
• Grape Varieties: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (GSM)
• Bottle Design: Stylish, perfectly coordinated
• Color: Deep red
• Aroma: Complex, pleasantly wine-like without dominating off-notes, red berries
• Taste: Smooth, balanced, with a slight bitterness on the finish

Of all the alcohol-free reds we tested, the GSM comes closest to genuine wine. The first sip begins with subtle sweetness and delivers body and tannins, remaining smooth and balanced throughout. No exaggerated acidity, no artificial aftertaste. The finish? Slightly shallow, but overall very enjoyable. Clearly the best option in this test for wine lovers, and thus our definite test winner. Anyone seeking a non-alcoholic red wine that truly mimics the real deal is in the right place. Our only wish? Longer barrel aging could add greater depth – an oak-barrel finish seems the logical next step. And with a natural cork, it would be both a sensory and visual highlight.

Oddbird Tempranillo Addiction – No Risk of Getting Hooked

• Price: €16
• Grape Variety: Tempranillo
• Bottle Design: Minimalist, modern, visually appealing
• Color: Dark red
• Aroma: Slightly musty at first, then grapey, overall rather flat
• Taste: Overly acidic, lacks balance, with a bitter finish

Tempranillo Addiction sets ambitious goals but falls short in execution. Acidity dominates from the start, tightening your mouth and leaving an unpleasant, furry sensation. The wine briefly hints at structure but quickly loses its presence, fading into bitterness that lacks both depth and harmony. While the name promises excitement, the actual tasting experience feels unbalanced. The attempt at recreating a Spanish red wine results in excessive acidity and harsh bitterness. The minimalist label design is rather pleasant, but the taste of Oddbird’s Tempranillo Addiction falls significantly short of expectations. At €16, our test winner clearly provides a better alternative.

Peter Mertes KG – The Big Player

Founded in Minheim in 1924, Peter Mertes winery is now Germany’s leading wine producer, headquartered in Bernkastel-Kues on the Middle Moselle. This family-run enterprise produces wines from various regions around the globe and operates Germany’s largest barrique cellar. Peter Mertes aims to make wine accessible to everyone, focusing on standardised products suitable for mass-market retailers. With its BREE Free brand, the company seeks to make alcohol-free wines affordable and broadly appealing. These wines consist of 97% dealcoholized white wine, with added sugar, natural flavors, and antioxidants.

BREE alkoholfrei Free Red – Capri Sun Cherry Meets Cough-Syrup Vibes

• Price: €5,49
• Grape Variety: Unknown
• Bottle Design: Looks like vodka – more suitable for a teenage-disco lounge than a wine shelf
• Color: Very pale
• Aroma: Lifeless, artificial, not even remotely reminiscent of wine
• Taste: Cherry, artificial, excessively sweet

The first sip? Sour – but only briefly. Then the cherry explosion kicks in: sweet, sweeter, insulin!. Almost syrupy, with flavors uncomfortably reminiscent of cough syrup. The finish? Fuzzy, watery, with a strange sharpness – more a struggle than a pleasure. This wine is the clear loser in this test. Although the bottle design might have won a Red Dot Award back in 2009, it feels outdated and misplaced in 2025. The wine itself? Artificial aroma, artificial taste, zero depth – despite the label claiming it’s free of artificial flavors. While other alcohol-free red wines were merely flat or unremarkable, this one is simply undrinkable. Anyone looking for a serious alcohol-free red wine or a decent wine alternative should steer well clear of the Free Red.

Torres – Spanish Wine Tradition Meets Alcohol-Free Innovation

Spanish winemakers Torres rank amongst the country’s most prestigious wine producers. Established in 1870, this family-run business stands for high-quality wines deeply rooted in their terroir, focusing on sustainable practices and innovative methods. With their Natureo range, Torres offer an alcohol-free alternative based on classic grape varieties and an exceptionally gentle de-alcoholization process. The method: grapes are harvested early and traditionally vinified before a specialized procedure reduces alcohol content to 0.0%, aiming to preserve the wine’s original character. Torres appeal primarily to traditional wine enthusiasts and avoids flashy lifestyle marketing.

Torres Natureo Tinto – 0.0% Alcohol, 100% Artificial Taste

• Price: €8,95
• Grape variety: Not specified
• Bottle design: kitsch, floral, prominent “0.0%” label – more reminiscent of a trendy, alcohol-free soft drink than wine
• Aroma: artificial pear and vanilla, evoking flavored candy
• Taste: Hubba Bubba rather than red wine

The Natureo Tinto relies heavily on sweetness and tastes more like liquid gummy bears with a hint of vanilla than actual red wine. Those who enjoy sweet beverages might appreciate it, but anyone looking for a dry wine should steer clear. Despite the “No Added Flavours” sticker, the aroma feels artificial and intrusive. A genuine red wine alternative? Definitely not. Its sole unique selling point: 0.0% alcohol. Taste-wise, however, it’s so distant from wine that it feels closer to a sweet candy blend.

Weingut Heribert Bayer – Premium Quality and Award-Winning Excellence

With its brand Zeronimo, Austrian winery Heribert Bayer aims to redefine standards in the premium alcohol-free wine market. The idea emerged during Katja Bernegger’s pregnancy, when she and Patrick Bayer realized that high-quality alcohol-free options were scarce. With Zeronimo Leonis Blend, they introduced Austria’s first premium alcohol-free red wine, derived from the award-winning cuvée “In Signo Leonis” (In the Sign of the Lion). A gentle, aroma-preserving dealcoholization process maintains the wine’s complexity and character, earning it international recognition – including the title “Best Alcohol-Free Red Wine” from Wine Enthusiast.

Zeronimo Leonis Blend – The Toothless Lion

• Price: €36,70
• Grape varieties: Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Bottle design: Modern, unconventional, but lacks elegance
• Color: Dark red with a slight brown hue, suggests barrel aging
• Aroma: Distinct notes of vanilla and oak, slightly musty, no grape juice scent
• Taste: Heavy on oak, lacks balance

Leonis Blend is the first wine in this test to showcase noticeable barrel aromas – vanilla-infused, lightly fuzzy, and dry. Appearance and aroma raise expectations for authentic wine character, but in the end Zeronimo fail to deliver on taste: overly acidic, insufficient complexity, and a lingering bitterness in the finish. There’s clear potential here, but also a bigger gap between aroma and palate. Nonetheless, the Leonis Blend ranks amongst the most wine-like in our test – at least on paper. Experts have awarded it as the best alcohol-free red wine, but to us, it remains imbalanced and overrated. Bottom line: Promising at first glance, but ultimately more of a toothless lion. Even its expert accolades can’t change that.

Zeronimo Zweigelt – Too tame to impress

• Price: €18,40
• Grape variety: Zweigelt
• Bottle design: modern, unconventional, but lacks genuine premium appeal
• Color: dark red
• Aroma: very subtle, slightly acidic, faintly reminiscent of red wine
• Taste: balanced, but not distinctive

Both aroma and taste are restrained and understated. Mild acidity, slight bitterness – not unpleasant, but lacking highlights. It doesn’t do anything wrong, and that’s exactly the problem: no off-putting notes, but nothing memorable either. Neutral, yet uninspiring.
Bottom line: a wine that doesn’t polarise – barely any aroma, unobtrusive flavor, but also lacking depth and standout character. At €18,40, we don’t recommend it. The Oddbird GSM, or even the less expensive Merlot from Jung, both have significantly more personality.

Words: Susanne Feddersen, Robin Schmitt Photos: Robin Schmitt, Jan Richter