How much alcohol is in non-alcoholic wine?
Usually 0.5% or less. A whole bottle holds under half a unit, and a glass has under half the calories of wine. But two labels look alike, and one allows 10 times more alcohol.
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How much alcohol is in non-alcoholic wine?
Usually 0.5% or less.
Government guidance sets two limits for drinks with the alcohol taken out. Alcohol free means 0.05% or less. De-alcoholised means 0.5% or less.
De-alcoholised is the word to spot. It allows up to 10 times more alcohol than alcohol free.
Both are still tiny. A unit is 10ml of pure alcohol. The NHS sum for units is strength times ml, divided by 1,000.
So a 175ml glass at 0.5% is about 0.09 units. The same glass of 12% wine is 2.1 units.
| Label says | Most alcohol | Units in a 750ml bottle |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol free | 0.05% | About 0.04 |
| De-alcoholised | 0.5% | About 0.4 |
| Low alcohol | 1.2% | About 0.9 |
| Wine at 12% | 12% | 9 |
What about the words non-alcoholic? The guidance keeps them for communion wine made from grape juice that never fermented. And using any of these words is voluntary.
So turn the bottle round and check the % on the label. That’s the ABV, the share of the drink that is alcohol.
Is non-alcoholic wine healthier than wine?
It has far fewer calories and almost no alcohol. The BHF says less alcohol generally means fewer calories.
| Drink | Calories in a glass |
|---|---|
| Red wine (12.5%) | Around 90 |
| Alcohol-free red | Around 30 |
| Prosecco (10.5%) | Around 75 |
| Zero-alcohol sparkling wine | Around 35 |
Source: BHF
Why the gap? Alcohol has 7 calories per gram, almost as many as fat. Take it out and most of those calories go.
The heart story has changed too. The NHS says the old idea that some alcohol was good for the heart has been revised. The BHF says drinking less, or not at all, is the best thing we can do for our heart.
So swapping some glasses for alcohol-free cuts units and calories. Count what you still drink with the 14 units a week guide.
Is non-alcoholic red wine good for blood pressure?
It may help a little, going by one small trial. In it, 67 men aged 55 to 75 at high risk of heart disease drank 272ml of de-alcoholised red wine a day for 4 weeks.
Their top blood pressure number fell by 5.8 points (mmHg, the unit blood pressure is measured in) and the bottom number by 2.3. The same red wine with its alcohol made no clear difference. Gin made none.
Treat it as one photo, not a film: it shows 4 weeks, not years. The trial was only in older men, and a wine company gave the wines. It didn’t look at heart attacks or strokes.
If your blood pressure is high, keep to your GP’s plan. See what your blood pressure numbers mean.
Who should avoid non-alcoholic wine?
| If you are | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Pregnant or trying to get pregnant | A government review says it might be sensible to avoid alcohol-free drinks. The NHS says no alcohol at all is safest. |
| In recovery from drinking | Some evidence says these drinks could raise cravings in heavy or dependent drinkers. |
| Living with diabetes | Diabetes UK says alcohol-free wines still have some sugars and carbs that affect blood sugar. |
| Driving | The BHF says read the label carefully. Some contain up to 0.5%. |
Sources: DHSC; NHS; Diabetes UK; BHF
Labels aren’t always exact. In a 2010 lab study in Canada, 13 of 45 drinks sold as alcohol free or low alcohol had more alcohol than the label said.
Pregnant or trying? Sparkling water with fruit gives you the glass without the doubt.
Driving? Pick alcohol free at 0.05% or less. In recovery, skip them if they spark cravings.
How do I choose the best non-alcoholic wine?
Only you can judge the taste. But the label tells you the rest. Drinks of 1.2% or less must list nutrition and ingredients.
Six checks for your next bottle
- Want no alcohol at all? Pick alcohol free (0.05% or less), not de-alcoholised.
- Compare calories and sugar per 100ml on the nutrition label.
- Skip low alcohol wine if you’re cutting sugar. Diabetes UK says it often has more sugar than normal wine.
- Check sparkling, champagne-style, prosecco-style and rosé bottles the same way.
- Making mulled wine? Heat alcohol-free red with orange slices, cinnamon and cloves. Taste it before you add sugar.
- Make it feel like a treat: a nice glass, plenty of ice and a slice of fruit.
Sources: GOV.UK; Diabetes UK; BHF
Using it to cut down? The NHS suggests you alternate your drinks with water or non-alcoholic drinks. For more, see what happens when you give up alcohol and how much sugar a day.
When to speak to a GP
See a GP if:
- You often feel the need to have a drink, others warn you about your drinking, or you think it’s causing you problems. Drinkline is free on 0300 123 1110.
- You get anxiety after waking, sweating and mild tremors, nausea or retching in the morning, or vomiting. Stopping overnight could be harmful, so get advice first.
- You’re pregnant and finding it hard to stop drinking. A midwife or pharmacist can help too.
- You have diabetes and aren’t sure if your medicine can cause hypos (low blood sugar) with alcohol. Ask your healthcare team.
A GP can tell you about local support to cut down or stop. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
Call 999 for severe withdrawal: hallucinations, severe tremors, or seizures or fits.