What is the non-alcoholic wine trend?
Quick answer
Non-alcoholic wine (< 0.5 % ABV) is made by dealcoholising a conventional wine. The market is growing at 25 % per year in Europe, driven by health trends and the sober-curious movement.
Detailed answer
Non-alcoholic wine, or dealcoholised wine, is wine produced in the conventional way (fermentation, ageing) then stripped of its alcohol through techniques like vacuum distillation or reverse osmosis. The result contains less than 0.5 % ABV.
The global non-alcoholic wine market reached 2.5 billion USD in 2024 and is expected to double by 2030 (IWSR). In Belgium, no- and low-alcohol beverage sales grew 30 % between 2022 and 2024.
Technological advances have dramatically improved quality. The best dealcoholised wines retain fruity aromas, some complexity, and an acceptable texture. Sparkling non-alcoholic wines are generally the most successful, followed by whites and rosés.
Limitations remain: dealcoholisation strips body and roundness, since alcohol contributes to wine's texture. Non-alcoholic reds remain the hardest to get right, often perceived as watery.
The phenomenon is driven by several trends: the sober-curious movement, Dry January (65 % of Belgians are aware of the concept according to a VAD 2024 study), responsible driving, and health-conscious lifestyles. This is not a passing fad but a structural market segment.
Key facts about non-alcoholic wine
- Less than 0.5 % ABV
- Made by dealcoholisation (vacuum distillation, reverse osmosis)
- Market growing at 25 %/year in Europe
- Sparkling and whites: most successful
- Non-alcoholic reds: still a work in progress