Biggest Surprises So Far
When we began exploring non-alcoholic wine, admittedly, we didn’t know what to expect. Some surprises were delightful, others unexpected—but all of them made this journey more interesting!
Here are a few of the biggest surprises we’ve discovered so far:
1. It’s Usually Not Just Grape Juice
We genuinely thought NA wine might be glorified grape juice, but most bottles actually start as real wine, but with the alcohol carefully removed at the end. The depth and flavours can be much “wine-ier” than you’d imagine.
2. Some Taste Great, Others Miss the Mark
The range is huge! Some NA wines have complex flavours and real structure, while others can be thin or a little too sweet for my taste. We are learning that, just like with traditional wines, not every bottle will fit every palate.
3. Price Surprised US (Up and Down)
We assumed NA options would be cheaper than regular wine, but the technology and smaller batch sizes often result in similar (or higher) prices. That said, there are a few value-friendly gems out there!
4. Opening a Bottle Still Feels Special
Even without the alcohol, the ritual of uncorking a bottle and enjoying a glass with a meal or friends still feels celebratory. It’s the ritual that matters.
5. Social Perceptions Are (Slowly) Changing
More people are curious and positive about non-alcoholic options than one would expect. It’s nice to see that bringing NA wine to a dinner doesn’t raise as many eyebrows as it once might have.
Quick Notes
Some NA wines need to be chilled more than regular wine for best flavor.
Don’t give up after your first try. Some of our favourites were bottles number 3 or 4!
Pairing NA wine with food is less predictable but sometimes even more fun.
Want to see which bottles have surprised us most? Check out our directory of trusted retailers and online shops in Canada
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