What Is Dealcoholized Wine

If you're cutting back on alcohol or skipping it altogether you’re far from alone. According to a 2024 NCSolutions survey, 41% of Americans want to drink less alcohol, and beverage options for the sober curious are better than ever. One of the most popular? Dealcoholized wine a beverage that might look like wine, sip like wine, and even smell like wine, but isn’t quite the same.

While it’s easy to confuse dealcoholized wine with non-alcoholic wine, the two are not interchangeable. Before you swap out your standard glass of red for a zero-proof pour, here’s everything to know about this wine alternative how it’s made, what it tastes like, and who should approach with caution.

What is dealcoholized wine?

Dealcoholized wine, also known as alcohol-removed wine, starts off the same way as regular wine. Grapes are harvested, fermented, and aged using traditional winemaking methods. Then, in an extra step, alcohol is removed usually through a process called reverse osmosis. This technique filters out ethanol while preserving flavor compounds, and the wine is reassembled with its original elements minus most of the alcohol.

By FDA standards, a wine must have less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) to be labeled as dealcoholized. For comparison, a typical glass of wine clocks in around 12% ABV.

That makes it different from non-alcoholic (NA) wine, which typically contains no trace of alcohol at all. “Some NA wines are essentially unfermented grape juice made with sweet varietals that never had yeast added,” says Isis Daniel, a Washington D.C.–based sommelier. “They haven’t undergone fermentation, which leads many in the industry to argue they’re not truly wine.”

What does dealcoholized wine taste like?

According to Daniel, removing alcohol from wine changes the chemistry and the experience. “Alcohol gives wine its body, aroma, and complexity,” she explains. “Once you remove that, you lose a lot of the texture and flavor.”

Still, many brands are improving the taste of alcohol-removed wine, especially sparkling varieties. The carbonation helps deliver aroma and brightness, making sparkling dealcoholized wine a favorite for those looking for a celebratory drink without the buzz.

Dry reds are still a work in progress, but dealcoholized whites and rosés tend to fare better in flavor. Ultimately, Daniel says it’s worth trying a few styles to find what suits your palate.

Is dealcoholized wine healthier?

In short: healthier than traditional wine? Likely. A health drink? Not quite.

“Removing the alcohol does eliminate many of its health drawbacks,” says Chelsea Clarke, RDN, of Balance Chaos Nutrition + Fitness. That includes reducing the risk of liver disease, certain cancers, disrupted sleep, and dehydration all common consequences of regular alcohol use.

However, dealcoholized wine isn’t a nutrition powerhouse. While some heart-healthy compounds like resveratrol and anthocyanins may become more concentrated when alcohol is removed, they’re not present in high enough amounts to deliver major benefits. “Resveratrol, in particular, has low bioavailability,” says Kerry Benson, RD, co-author of Mocktail Party. “Even in its concentrated form, the antioxidant impact is likely minimal.”

Calories can be lower than in traditional wine since alcohol contains seven calories per gram but sugar content can vary. Some brands add sugar back to improve taste after the dealcoholization process, so if you’re monitoring your intake, always check the label.

Is it safe during pregnancy?

Here’s where things get tricky. Though dealcoholized wine contains significantly less alcohol than traditional wine, it’s not completely alcohol-free. That’s why OB/GYNs typically advise pregnant people to skip it.

“There’s a risk that the actual alcohol content may be higher than what’s on the label,” says Dr. Cynthia Abraham, MD, FACOG. “Plus, no safety studies have evaluated the effects of dealcoholized wine on pregnancy or nursing.”

If you're breastfeeding, occasional, moderate consumption may be fine, but experts still recommend waiting at least an hour after drinking before nursing to avoid alcohol exposure through breast milk.

Who else should be cautious?

According to experts, dealcoholized wine isn’t suitable for everyone. You should avoid it if you:

• Are in recovery from substance use disorder

• Need to fully abstain from alcohol for medical or religious reasons

• Are on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or other medications that interact with trace alcohol

• Have histamine, tannin, or sulfite sensitivities

“For anyone needing to avoid alcohol completely, an NA beverage that was never fermented is the safest option,” says Benson.

The bottom line

Dealcoholized wine can be a helpful alternative if you’re cutting back on alcohol but still want the sensory experience of sipping a glass of wine. While it’s not a superfood, it may be a smarter social choice and a useful tool for moderation.

That said, it’s not 100% alcohol-free and not ideal for daily drinking purely for health perks. “Use it intentionally and selectively, not as a wellness elixir,” Clarke advises.

For more practical health swaps and wellness tips, subscribe to our newsletter.