Low-Alcohol Wine: What It Means, the Lightest Styles and Non-Alcoholic Options
What counts as low-alcohol wine, the lightest wine styles, how much alcohol is in a glass, and the non-alcoholic wines to try.
Low-alcohol wine has less alcohol than a typical glass of wine, but there’s no single line. The UK uses “low alcohol” for drinks up to 1.2%, while the naturally lightest wines, such as Moscato d’Asti and German Kabinett Riesling, sit around 5.5% to 9.5%, against 11.5% to 13.5% for many table wines. At beClink we sell non-alcoholic wine, under 0.5%: the lowest step on that scale. Here’s what each level means and our non-alcoholic picks for people who like the lighter styles.
If you like lighter wines, try these
- 0.0%
- 10.0 g sugar per 100 mL
- Italy
- <0.5%
- 2.9 g sugar per 100 mL
- Germany
- <0.5%
- 1.6 g sugar per 100 mL
- New Zealand
What counts as low-alcohol wine
- UK: “low alcohol” means up to 1.2%, “de-alcoholised” up to 0.5% and “alcohol-free” up to 0.05% (UK guidance).
- US: the federal alcohol regulator reserves “low alcohol” and “reduced alcohol” for malt beverages under 2.5% (TTB). “Non-alcoholic” means under 0.5%.
- Everyday use: people often mean naturally lighter wines, below the 11.5% to 13.5% of many table wines (Wine Folly).
For more on the words on non-alcoholic labels, see non-alcoholic vs alcohol-free.
The lightest wine styles
Wine Folly lists these among the lightest wines, and notes that most wines under 10% lean sweet or off-dry. Here’s each one with a non-alcoholic bottle in a similar spirit:
| Style | Alcohol | Non-alcoholic to try |
|---|---|---|
| Moscato d’Asti | 5.5% | Prima Pavé Rosé Dolce |
| Brachetto d’Acqui | 6.5% | Prima Pavé Rosé Dolce |
| Kabinett Riesling | 8% | Kolonne Null Riesling |
| Spätlese Riesling | 8.5% | BonBon Zero Riesling |
| Muscadet | 9.5% | Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc |
How much alcohol is in a glass
For a 5 oz (148 ml) glass:
14.6 g
Table wine at 12.5%
9.3 g
Kabinett Riesling at 8%
6.4 g
Moscato d’Asti at 5.5%
0.6 g
Non-alcoholic wine at 0.5%
So a lighter wine cuts the alcohol in a glass by about a third to more than half. A non-alcoholic wine cuts it by about 95% or more, and a 0.0% wine to nearly nothing.
0.0% or under 0.5%: both are good choices
There’s no wrong answer here, just a choice that fits you. Here’s what each one offers.
Why many people choose under 0.5%
- More choice. Most still reds and whites are labeled under 0.5%, so it opens up most of the shelf, including well-loved names such as Fre, Ariel, Oddbird and Bolle.
- Taste and body. Alcohol carries aroma and gives wine its weight. Wes Pearson of the Australian Wine Research Institute told the Globe and Mail that removing it strips most aroma and flavor compounds and leaves a “hole in the doughnut” on the palate. Wine educator Alice Wong writes that taking out every last trace can cost delicate aromas, and that a small amount helps keep the wine’s character. Taste is personal, so try both.
- The trace is tiny. A glass at 0.5% holds about 0.6 g of alcohol, against nearly 15 g in a glass of regular wine. For many adults who simply want to drink less, that trace is a fair trade for more choice.
- It’s still non-alcoholic. Under 0.5% is the US legal definition of non-alcoholic.
When 0.0% is the better call
- Pregnant or trying. Health authorities say no amount of alcohol is known to be safe. See our pregnancy guide.
- Avoiding alcohol completely. For recovery, faith or a medication that doesn’t mix with alcohol, 0.0% keeps it simple. Some people in recovery also avoid drinks that taste like alcohol at all; do what works for you, and ask your doctor about medications. For faith, see is non-alcoholic wine halal.
- Zero-tolerance testing or driving. 0.0% removes the doubt. See what breath and urine tests can pick up.
- You’d just rather have none. That’s reason enough.
Low-alcohol or non-alcoholic?
If you want to drink less but still have some alcohol, a naturally lighter wine is one way to do it. If you want little or none, for pregnancy, faith, recovery, driving or simply a clear head, non-alcoholic wine is the choice, and 0.0% if you want none at all.
Ready to try one? Browse every non-alcoholic wine.
Shop by what matters to you
Common questions
What is considered low-alcohol wine?
There's no single line. The UK uses "low alcohol" for drinks up to 1.2%. In everyday use, people often mean naturally lighter wines, around 5.5% to 10%, compared with 11.5% to 13.5% for many table wines.
Which wine has the lowest alcohol?
Among regular wines, Moscato d'Asti is one of the lightest at about 5.5%. Non-alcoholic wine is lower still: under 0.5%, and 0.0% wines are under 0.05%.
Does beClink sell low-alcohol wine?
We sell non-alcoholic wine, labeled 0.0% or under 0.5%, including non-alcoholic Riesling, Moscato and sweet sparkling for people who like the lighter styles.
Is low-alcohol wine the same as non-alcoholic wine?
No. Low-alcohol wine still contains alcohol, often 5.5% or more. Non-alcoholic wine is under 0.5%, about 0.6 g of alcohol in a glass.
