Valentine’s Day 2023 Gift Guide: The Best Zero-Proof Wines

The zero-proof wine landscape is changing fast — new players and old hands have identified new ways to craft elegant beverages that are food friendly, dry and very enjoyable. Bubbles are still the most successful category, but still wines are getting better. If you really want to get close to the experience of a full-proof wine, look for dealcoholized offerings — in general I find they are more successful than those that try to recreate the flavors in other ways. Here are some of my top picks right now.

Joyus: I have sung the praises of the bubbly from this maker before, and the Cabernet Sauvignon as well. You can add the Rosé to your list—both still and sparkling are delicious, and perfect for toasting your Valentine. The still tart rosé is delightful, redolent of melon and stone fruit and very dry, while the bubbles are more about berry fruit. Experts agree — Joyus was first non-alcoholic wine ever to win Best in Class in one of the biggest and oldest wine competitions in the world.It feels like a treat at the end of a long day, and it’s only around 30 calories per glass. ($27-$30 a bottle)

French Bloom Organic French Bubbly: Developed by Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger and model Constance Jablonski, the French Bloom Blanc ($39) — a mix of de-alcoholized organic French Chardonnay wine, organic grape juice, Gensac spring water and natural flavors such as lemon — is elegant and dry, with some lovely floral and pear notes. Or go pink—the French Bloom Rosé ($44), adds de-alcoholized organic Pinot Noir to the mix, bringing with it scents of violet and rose, with lush strawberries and raspberries.

Sovi: The husband and wife team of Julia Littauer, Certified Sommelier and Alex Littauer, DipWSET keep innovating in the zero-proof space, identifying wines that retain their aromatics after dealcoholization. Sourcing grapes from the Clarksburg AVA in California, about 40 miles east of Napa, in addition to their canned collection, they offer two reserve wines in bottles: a bright, lemony Chenin Blanc ($34) that is very enjoyable on its own, or pairs especially well with oysters and a gorgeous limited release Reserve Red, made with a blend of 2015 petit syrah aged in oak and new cabernet sauvignon. Crack this open in front of a cozy fire or with a nice steak and you won’t miss the booze.

Surely: This Napa brand also starts with actual alcoholic wine from grapes grown and harvested by what the brand says are some of the most esteemed names in Napa Valley viticulture. Surely then employs a cutting-edge technology called the Spinning Cone Column that uses physics and force to physically separate the alcohol from the wine without sacrificing taste or quality. Offerings now include Non-Alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon, Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé, Non-Alcoholic Sparkling White and Non-Alcoholic Rosé. I especially like that many of their wines come in single serve, so you can mix up a zero proof Sbagliato for one.

Noughty: The Sparkling Chardonnay from this B Corp Certified producer Thomson & Scott, is organic, vegan, halal, and low sugar — and it also tastes really good. It’s buttery, crisp and dry enough to pair with caviar and potato chips.

Studio Null Sparkling Verdejo: This brand keeps knocking it out of the park, with single varietal offerings produced with award-winning winemakers and top dealcoholization experts in Europe. You can tell crafting these wines, like the lovely new Sparkling Verdejo ($36), starts in the vineyard. The Verdejo grapes were harvested at the coolest part of the night, preserving the lovely citrus blossom nose and lush peachy palate. Like Studio Null’s other offerings, it was made as a classic wine, then dealcoholized via vacuum distillation to preserve body, aroma, and flavor. This would be lovely with seafood, or chicken. Or paired with some triple-creme cheeses. And the bottles are just as lovely as the wines, featuring artwork from Joshua Owens, “Sunrise Surf Club.” Even those who are not “sober-curious” might ask for a glass.