How Do Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wines Compare in Taste and Price to Traditional Wine?

Comparing non-alcoholic sparkling wine to traditional wine isn’t like comparing apples to oranges. It’s more like comparing a Honeycrisp apple to a Pink Lady apple. They are both apples, but with some fundamental differences.

While not all non-alcoholic wine is the same, many non-alcoholic wines start out their life as if they were going to become a traditional wine. It’s what happens after that that makes the difference. How does that difference affect taste and price? Let’s compare the taste and price points of non-alcoholic sparkling wine and traditional sparkling wine.

How Do Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wines Compare in Taste?

Not all non-alcoholic sparkling wines are made the same, which is why not all non-alcoholic sparkling wines taste the same. While some non-alcoholic sparkling wines may not taste all that much like wine, others are more reminiscent of the flavors and complexities you’d expect from traditional wine.

There are two types of non-alcoholic wine. The first is the kind that many would argue isn’t a real wine at all. This type of “wine” is simply grape juice that’s not allowed to ferment, so no alcohol is created in the first place. Because it’s not allowed to ferment, many of the flavors you’d come to expect from wine don’t develop.

The other type, which is becoming increasingly popular, is dealcoholized wine. In this case, the vintners ferment the grape juice, which helps create wine's unique flavors. However, this process also builds up alcohol content. 

To remove the alcohol, a number of different processes can be used. There are benefits and drawbacks to these various processes. One of the most effective is vacuum distillation, which is the process by which BEAU VIVA removes the alcohol from our non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Vacuum distillation has been shown to be more effective at reducing alcohol content without compromising wine quality. 

The result is a dealcoholized wine that tastes like a wine because it is one. The only difference is that this one has a 0% ABV.

How Do Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wines Compare in Price?

There are many different factors that determine a sparkling wine’s cost, and the same can be said for non-alcoholic sparkling wine.

One factor is the type of sparkling wine. One of the least expensive options is often prosecco, which typically runs under $20 per bottle. Cava is often around the same price.

Rosé is somewhere in the middle: not the most expensive, but it’s gotten pricier as it’s risen in popularity. A budget bottle will typically run around $25, but a rosé from a seasoned vintner will generally cost closer to $40 or more.

Typically, the most expensive sparkling wine is Champagne, likely because of the restrictions on what can legally be called a Champagne. While a less-expensive bottle may be under $50, Champagne can easily cost hundreds. 

However, if you’re wondering if Champagne is also the most expensive non-alcoholic sparkling wine, the answer would be no. Technically, there’s no such thing as non-alcoholic Champagne because it goes against those aforementioned restrictions.

Region also plays a role in wine cost. For instance, Napa Valley in California is considered one of the more expensive wine regions. This is particularly the case when you compare it to other U.S. wine regions, especially nearby Sonoma Valley, which is often much less expensive. 

In France, the Champagne region is often among the most expensive, while Provence wines, non-alcoholic or alcoholized, are often more affordable.

In most cases, non-alcoholic sparkling wine is not less expensive than traditional wine. In some cases, a non-alcoholic sparkling wine may even be more expensive than a traditional wine, particularly when comparing a budget traditional wine to a non-alcoholic sparkling wine from a prestigious winemaker.

However, there is a cost difference between the two types of non-alcoholic wine. Non-alcoholic wine that never ferments doesn’t have to go through the costly dealcoholization process, which is why it’s often less expensive than dealcoholized wine. As mentioned above, though, this type of non-alcoholic wine may be less expensive, but it also tends not to have the flavor complexities you want from your wine.

Dealcoholized wine is typically similarly priced to traditional wine. It starts its life the same way a traditional wine would, so the winemakers have to factor in the cost of traditional winemaking materials into their final price to the consumer. However, they also have to factor in the cost of the dealcoholization process. Dealcoholization is a labor-intensive process that requires specialized equipment, thereby increasing production costs.

Try a Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine That Tastes Like Real Wine

Some non-alcoholic sparkling wines may not have the taste of traditional wine, but they may be less expensive than traditional wines. In other cases, they may have a similar taste but be more expensive. BEAU VIVA sits in the sweet spot in the middle.

BEAU VIVA is 100% real wine, just with a true 0% ABV, which is why it tastes like a traditional rosé-style sparkling wine. After fermenting in stainless-steel vats, it’s dealcoholized via vacuum distillation, allowing us to carefully preserve the wine’s delicate flavors and aromas. 

Despite being created by award-winning vintners in the South of France, BEAU VIVA has a modest price point, similar to traditional rosé prices. BEAU VIVA makes it easy to celebrate any occasion your way, no matter your budget.

Discover BEAU VIVA and learn why it’s changing the way people all over celebrate.