![Cognato-alcohol-free-wine-indybest](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/08/19/10/Cognato-alcohol-free-wine-indybest.jpg)
The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Take your pick from chardonnay substitutes, alcohol-free merlot and more
Ditching the booze is no longer reserved for Dry January. More of us are reaching for no- or low-alcohol drinks than ever before, with three out of four UK adults saying they are now moderating their alcohol intake.
For some, the threat of a fuzzy head during an early morning meeting is enough to make them turn down a drink, while others feel going alcohol-free improves their mental health and anxiety levels. Some don’t want a nightly tipple to derail their diet, while many are cutting back to save cash.
Alcohol-free drinks can make the process easier. They appeal to anyone who doesn’t want to be stuck sipping fizzy drinks all night, or who wants to feel like they’re still holding a drink, without risking the hangover. They’re also useful if you don’t want to explain why you’re skipping the booze, as they look just like an ordinary glass of beer or wine.
While it’s easy to get your hands on booze-free beer even in pubs, it’s much harder to find a good non-alcoholic wine. These are usually made by leaving out the alcohol entirely or removing it at the last moment, and it has proved difficult to replicate the flavours, mouthfeel and depth of wine without the alcohol. It’s generally easier to make the switch if you look for sweeter wines, such as riesling, or non-alcoholic fizz, which has a similar mouthfeel to bona fide bubbly.
Remember that UK government guidance specifies alcohol-free drinks can actually contain up to 0.05 per cent ABV, while dealcoholised drinks (with the alcohol removed) should have no more than 0.5 per cent. Though these are negligible amounts for most people, anyone who wants to avoid alcohol completely may still prefer to swerve some of these wines.
We sampled these wines like any other, sniffing and sipping to judge each vino’s aromas, flavours, acidity and finish. For each one, we rated its taste and mouthfeel and, most importantly, how much it made us feel like we were drinking a regular glass of wine. We also asked friends to sample each one, without telling them they were drinking alcohol-free wine, to test their reaction. Finally, we drank each non-alcoholic vino with food, to see how well they worked alongside some of our favourite dishes.
Though no booze-free wine will really convince you it’s a glass of your favourite tipple, Cognato cabernet sauvignon (and, indeed, the brand’s full range) is by far the best option, with its low sugar content, grown-up good looks and full flavour. M&S’s alcohol-free rosé is also a solid – and cheaper – choice for summery sipping without the sore head.
Looking for low-ABV tipples? Read our round-up of the best alcohol-free beers