We reveal all the medal-winning brands from December’s Low and No Alcohol Wine Masters in which Australia, France and Spain took home Gold medals, using residual sugar and bubbles to compensate for the absence of alcohol.
Alcohol brings brings richness and sweetness to wine, so removing it can leave a thin and tart result without compensatory measures
AS WITH all our Global Wine Masters competitions, an extensive tasting provides not only a chance to pick out the stars, but also to perform a health check on the category in question. In this case, the sector is one that’s relatively new and fast-growing – no and low alcohol wine.
Attracting much interest at the moment from the wine world, following the success of alcohol-free spirits and beer, it’s hoped that wine can benefit from the increasing number of consumers who want to drink, but not consume any alcohol – or a reduced quantity. This could be for any number of reasons, and could see them choose a less alcoholic alternative, or one with none of the hard stuff in it whatsoever. It may also see them flit between the two, going for a full-strength drink for one round, and then a no- or low-alcohol drop as a means to moderate their intake.
However they approach the category, and whatever their motives for going no or low, it’s obviously important that the products taste good. And it seems, judging by this year ’s tasting, and by our inaugural competition for the sector in 2022, that creating palatable wine with lower or no alcohol is difficult. The problem stems in particular from alcohol’s role in providing body and sweetness. Take it out, and a wine can taste thin and tart. Furthermore, in the case of red wines specifically, where tannins are present at high levels, an absence of alcohol can leave the wine not only tasting weedy and acidic, but unpleasantly grainy too, leaving one with a drying sensation on the finish.
So what are the solutions? It involves finding ways to introduce a full and smooth mouthfeel to a wine, whatever the colour. The techniques are myriad, but a common approach is replacing the alcohol with some form of sweetness – and, as a result, many of the top-scoring samples had at least some residual sugar in them. Bubbles help too, with the fizz bringing a creamy texture to the mid-palate, and – if there is sweetness in the wine – a refreshing and cleansing feel to the finish.
However, the most impressive to my mind were those with very low levels and zero alcohol, because such samples were closest in style to a standard wine. Indeed, Cordier, Australian Vintage and Oddbird showed that it is possible to create a convincing zero-alcohol alternative to full-strength wine – something that a few years ago I wasn’t sure was possible. Opting for such wines still represents a compromise in terms of taste and texture, but it’s not a disappointment.
As for the low- and lower-alcohol wines that stood out for quality, these tended to be more wine-like – even 5.5% ABV makes a big difference to the character. But I couldn’t help feeling that the wines from 5.5% to 9% do have existing competition in the marketplace from longstanding wines that haven’t been doctored or deliberately made for a particular purpose. By that I mean Moscato d’Asti in fizz and, among still white wines, Mosel Rieslings. The difference, though, with these wines is that they are not marketed specifically as low- and lower-alcohol wines – they are just great, unique products that happen to have a low ABV.
Please read on to see all the medallists from the 2023 competition, and please click here to see a report on the top-performing alcohol-free wines from the tasting.
White Sparkling Brut (12g/l or lower) – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
£10-£15
Veuve du Vernay
Alcohol Removed
Burgundy
France
NV
Bronze
£15-£20
Oddbird
Blanc de Blancs
Languedoc-Roussillon
France
NV
Silver
Oddbird
Spumante
Veneto
Italy
NV
Bronze
White Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+) – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Zero Sparkling
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Divin
Sparkling White 0.0%
Loire Valley
France
2021
Silver
Schloss Wachenheim
Eisberg Selection Alcohol-Free Blanc de Blancs
Pfalz
Germany
NV
Silver
Félix Solís Avantis
Viña Albali Sparkling Low-Alcohol White
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
2022
Silver
Australian Vintage
Not Guilty Prosecco
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Jacob’s Creek
UnVined Sparkling
South Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Edenvale
Sparkling Cuvée
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Nozeco
Nozeco
France
France
NV
Silver
Australian Vintage
Tempus Two Zero Prosecco
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
Peter Herres Wein
Zerozecco
Mosel
Germany
NV
Bronze
Codorníu
Zero
Barcelona
Spain
NV
Bronze
Vallformosa
0,0
Catalonia
Spain
2022
Bronze
Vallformosa
Gran Barón 0,0
Catalonia
Spain
2022
Bronze
Cordier
Bonne Nouvelle Blanc
Gironde
France
NV
Bronze
Pierre Chavin
Pierre Zéro Spritz
Languedoc-Roussillon
France
NV
Bronze
£10-£15
Juan Ramón Lozano
Zeno Alcohol Liberated Sparkling
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
NV
Bronze
Pierre Chavin
Zéro Chardonnay
Languedoc-Roussillon
France
NV
Bronze
Cave de Ribeauvillé
Rib0 Sparkling
Alsace
France
NV
Bronze
Iris Vigneti
Sea Change Free
Veneto
Italy
NV
Bronze
White Sparkling Brut (12g/l or lower) – Low Alcohol (>5.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Limestone Coast
Wines The Hidden Sea Pinot Grigio Spritz Cans
South Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
White Sparkling Brut (12g/l or lower) – Lower Alcohol (>11%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
El Gaitero Group
Don Piere Sparkling Brut
Asturias
Spain
NV
Silver
Jacob’s Creek
Sparkling Moscato White
South Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
White Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+) – Lower Alcohol (>11%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
£10-£15
Australian Vintage
Tempus Two Lighten Up Prosecco
SE Australia
Australia
2022
Silver
Rosé Sparkling Brut (12g/l or lower) – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Herres
Kylie Minogue 0% Sparkling Rosé
Mosel
Germany
NV
Silver
£15-£20
Oddbird
Sparkling Rosé
Languedoc-Roussillon
France
NV
Gold
Oddbird
Spumante Rosé
Veneto
Italy
NV
Silver
Rosé Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+) – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Australian Vintage
Not Guilty Rosé Prosecco
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Gold
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Zero Rosé Spritz
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Peter Herres Wein
Rosé Zerozecco
Mosel
Germany
NV
Silver
Codorníu
Zero Rosé
Barcelona
Spain
NV
Silver
Vintense
Prestige Rosé
Spain
Spain
NV
Bronze
Divin
Sparkling Blush Rosé 0.0%
Loire Valley
France
2021
Bronze
£10-£15
Domaine la Colombette
Della Vite Zero
Languedoc
France
2023
Silver
Sidewood Estate
Nearly Naked Sparkling Rosé
Adelaide Hills
Australia
NV
Bronze
Anna Spinato Winery
Zero Blush
Veneto
Italy
2023
Bronze
Rosé Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+) – Lower Alcohol (>11%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Jacob’s Creek
Sparkling Moscato Rosé
South Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
Red Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+) – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Edenvale
Premium Reserve Sparkling Shiraz
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Unoaked Still White – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Australian Vintage
Tempus Two Zero Pinot Grigio
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Gold
Edenvale
Expedition Series Verdejo Sauvignon Blanc
Spain
Spain
NV
Gold
Edenvale
Sauvignon Blanc
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Gold
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Zero 0.5 Sauvignon Blanc
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Divin
Sauvignon Blanc 0.0%
Loire Valley
France
2021
Silver
Schloss Wachenheim
Eisberg Selection Alcohol-Free Pinot Grigio
Pfalz
Germany
NV
Silver
Félix Solís Avantis
Viña Albali Low-Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
2022
Silver
Australian Vintage
Not Guilty Pinot Grigio
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Viña Tarapacá
Alcohol Free
Santiago
Chile
2023
Silver
Giesen Group
Ara Zero Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough
New Zealand
NV
Silver
Cordier
Bonne Nouvelle Blanc
Occitanie
France
NV
Silver
Giesen Group
0% Riesling
New Zealand
New Zealand
NV
Silver
Vintense
O°rigin Terra Australis
South Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Félix Solís Avantis
Mucho Más White Low Alcohol
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
2022
Bronze
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Zero Sauvignon Blanc
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
Giesen Group
0% Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand
New Zealand
NV
Bronze
JJ Leitz
Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Riesling
Rheingau
Germany
NV
Bronze
Giesen Group
0% Pinot Gris
New Zealand
New Zealand
NV
Bronze
Jacob’s Creek
UnVined Riesling
South Australia
Australia
2022
Bronze
£10-£15
Daniel Mattern
NoLimit Riesling
Rheinhessen
Germany
NV
Silver
Juan Ramón Lozano
Zeno Alcohol Liberated White
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
2022
Silver
Cave de Ribeauvillé
Rib0
Alsace
France
NV
Silver
Wednesday’s Domaine
Piquant
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
NV
Bronze
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger
35 Grad
Bordeaux
France
2022
Bronze
Gil Family Estates
Disfrutando Verdejo 0.0%
Jumilla
Spain
2022
Bronze
£15-£20
Domaine de la Grenaudière
Phénomène
Loire Valley
France
NV
Bronze
Unoaked Still White – Lower Alcohol (>11%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Brancott Estate
Flight Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough
New Zealand
2023
Gold
Kingsland Drinks
Revero Pinot Grigio
Friuli
Italy
NV
Gold
Jacob’s Creek
Dots Moscato White
South Australia
Australia
2022
Gold
Oxford Landing
Sauvignon Blanc
South Australia
Australia
2023
Silver
Concha y Toro
Casillero del Diablo Belight Sauvignon Blanc
Central Valley
Chile
2023
Silver
Brancott Estate
Flight Pinot Gris
Marlborough
New Zealand
2022
Silver
Oxford Landing
Sunlight Chardonnay
South Australia
Australia
2023
Silver
Reguta
Luigi e Lucina DOC Friuli Pinot Grigio
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Italy
2023
Silver
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Mid Sauvignon Blanc
SE Australia
Australia
2022
Silver
Giesen Group
Pure Light Pinot Gris
Marlborough
New Zealand
2022
Silver
Excelsior
Little Hill Sauvignon
Robertson
South Africa
2023
Bronze
Journey’s End Vineyards
Bees Knees
Western Cape
South Africa
2023
Bronze
Spier Wine Farm
Everlight Chenin Blanc
Western Cape
South Africa
2023
Bronze
Spier Wine Farm
Everlight Sauvignon Blanc
Western Cape
South Africa
2023
Bronze
Cramele Recas
Calusari Vinul Verii
Banat
Romania
2021
Bronze
Spier Wine Farm
Everlight Chardonnay
Western Cape
South Africa
2023
Bronze
Jacob’s Creek
Dots Pinot Grigio
South Australia
Australia
2022
Bronze
£10-£15
Giesen Group
Pure Light Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand
New Zealand
2022
Silver
Bodegas Agronavarra
Blaw Blanco 5.5
Vino de la Tierra
Spain
2022
Silver
Domaine Bousquet
Lo-Ca Organic Low Calorie Chardonnay
Mendoza
Argentina
2022
Bronze
Bon Courage Estate
The Gooseberry Bush Colombard Sauvignon
Robertson
South Africa
2023
Bronze
Oaked Still White – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Pierre Chavin
Chavin Zéro Chardonnay
Languedoc-Roussillon
France
NV
Gold
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Zero Chardonnay
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
Viña San Pedro
Gato Negro Sauvignon Blanc Free
Región del Maule
Chile
2023
Bronze
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Zero 0.05 Chardonnay
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
£15-£20
Oddbird
Precense
Languedoc-Roussillon
France
NV
Silver
Oaked Still White – Lower Alcohol (>11%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Cordier
Low Matter What
Occitanie
France
NV
Gold
Unoaked Still Rosé – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Félix Solís Avantis
Viña Albali Low-Alcohol Garnacha Rosé
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
2022
Bronze
Australian Vintage
Not Guilty Rosé
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
Cordier
Bonne Nouvelle Rosé
Occitanie
France
NV
Bronze
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Zero Rosé
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
Jacob’s Creek
UnVined Rosé
South Australia
Australia
2022
Bronze
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger
32 Grad
Pfalz
Germany
2022
Bronze
Giesen Group
Giesen 0% Rosé
New Zealand
New Zealand
NV
Bronze
Giesen Group
Ara Zero Rosé
New Zealand
New Zealand
NV
Bronze
Unoaked Still Rosé – Low Alcohol (>5.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
£10-£15
Vondeling Wine
Lecap 5% Rosé
South Africa
Paardeberg
NV
Bronze
Unoaked Still Rosé – Lower Alcohol (>11%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Cordier
Low Matter What
Occitanie
France
NV
Gold
The Wine Group
Wildwood Zinfandel Rosé
California
USA
2022
Silver
Mezzacorona
Ventessa Pinot Grigio Rosé
Trentino
Italy
2023
Bronze
Mezzacorona
Nove Pinot Grigio Rosé
Trentino
Italy
2023
Bronze
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Mid Rosé
SE Australia
Australia
2023
Bronze
Jacob’s Creek
Dots Moscato Rosé
South Australia
Australia
2022
Bronze
£10-£15
Bodegas Agronavarra
Blaw Rosado 5.5
Vino de la Tierra
Spain
2022
Silver
Unoaked Still Red – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Jacob’s Creek
UnVined Shiraz
South Australia
Australia
2022
Gold
Félix Solís Avantis
Mucho Más Red Low Alcohol
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
2022
Silver
Cordier
Bonne Nouvelle Rouge
Occitanie
France
NV
Silver
Félix Solís Avantis
Viña Albali Low Alcohol Tempranillo
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
2022
Bronze
Vintense
O°rigin Les Galets
Rhône
France
NV
Bronze
Juan Ramón Lozano
Zeno Alcohol Liberated Red
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain
2022
Bronze
Giesen Group
Giesen 0% Merlot
New Zealand
New Zealand
NV
Bronze
£10-£15
Wednesday’s Domaine
Sanguine
La Mancha
Spain
NV
Bronze
£15-£20
Vignobles Raguenot – Château des Tourtes
Tip Top
Bordeaux
France
NV
Gold
Unoaked Still Red – Lower Alcohol (>11%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Giesen Group
Giesen Pure Light Merlot
New Zealand
New Zealand
2022
Bronze
Kingsland Drinks
Revero Shiraz
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
Oxford Landing
Sunlight Shiraz
South Australia
Australia
2021
Bronze
£10-£15
Casa Santos Lima
Stones & Bones Ligeiro
Lisbon
Portugal
2021
Bronze
Oaked Still Red – No Alcohol (<0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Australian Vintage
Not Guilty Red Blend
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Edenvale
Premium Reserve Pinot Noir
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Edenvale
Expedition Series Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon
Spain
Spain
NV
Silver
Edenvale
Cabernet Sauvignon
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Zero 0.5 Shiraz
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
JJ Leitz
Leitz Zero Point Five Pinot Noir
Rheingau
Germany
NV
Bronze
£10-£15
Pierre Chavin
Chavin Zéro Syrah
Languedoc-Roussillon
France
NV
Silver
Comercial DYP
Sinzero Cabernet Sauvignon
Maipo Valley
Chile
2021
Bronze
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger
36 Grad
Cotes-du-Rhône
France
2022
Bronze
£15-£20
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger
Edition Zwölberich
Nahe
Germany
2022
Bronze
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger
37 Grad
Languedoc
France
2022
Bronze
Oddbird
GSM
Languedoc-Roussillon
France
NV
Bronze
£30-£50
Heribert Bayer
Zeronimo Leonis Blend
Burgenland
Austria
2020
Bronze
Oaked Still Red – Lower Alcohol (>11%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Andrew Peace
Black Label Shiraz
Victoria
Australia
2022
Silver
Andrew Peace
If Pigs Could Fly Merlot
South Australia
Australia
2022
Silver
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Mid Shiraz
SE Australia
Australia
2022
Silver
Australian Vintage
McGuigan Black Label Mid Red
SE Australia
Australia
2022
Silver
Andrew Peace
Kooliburra Australian Merlot
SE Australia
Australia
2022
Bronze
Viña San Pedro
Gato Negro Balance Red Blend
Maule Valley
Chile
2023
Bronze
£10-£15
Australian Vintage
Tempus Two Lighten Up Shiraz
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Silver
Australian Vintage
Tempus Two Lighten Up Pinot Noir
SE Australia
Australia
2022
Silver
Australian Vintage
Tempus Two Lighten Up Cabernet Sauvignon
SE Australia
Australia
NV
Bronze
Pre-mixed/RTD – Low Alcohol (>0.5%)
Winery
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
Under £10
Croft
Pink Port & Tonic
Douro Valley
Portugal
NV
Gold
Taylor’s Port
Taylor’s Chip Dry & Tonic
Douro Valley
Portugal
NV
Silver
Bodegas Barbadillo
Barbadillo Mixed
Andalucia
Spain
NV
Silver
Sake – Lower Alcohol (15.5%)
Producer
Name of wine
Region
Country
Vint
Medal
£30-50
Sun Valley Rice
SoGood Sake
California & Oregon
USA
NV
Gold
About the competition
With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Low and No Masters provides a chance for your wines to star. The 2023 competition was judged on 6 December at Aspen & Meursault in London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Low and No Master. This report features the medal winners only. Please visit The Global Wine Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
Read more
Eight great alcohol-free wines
Five fine low-alcohol wines
Top 10 alcohol-free wine brands in the UK
The remarkable rise of zero-alcohol fizz
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