AF wine - are they any that are nice?

[justpoppy]

I’ve been drinking AF beer and found most of the brands to actually taste like the real thing. The wines I’ve tried though have all tasted like vile sweet fruit juice and I just wondered if anyone had any recommendations? I’ve found a few websites that specialise in AF (or very low alcohol) wines but they are expensive and I don’t want to waste money if it’s going to end up down the sink! I really like dry whites and fruity reds. I don’t want to drink alcohol any more but miss a nice glass of wine with dinner and with summer coming (and lockdown lifting) I know there will be a lot of social stuff where it would be nice to have something other than soda and lime. Moderating is not an option! I’ve tried for years and finally admitted to myself and others that it’s not something I can do.

[justpoppy]

I tried the Hardys Chardonnay on Friday and it was ok with soda water in it but still very sweet. Have bought some nosecco and a mcguigans sauv blanc to try this week but I’m not holding out much hope! I’m doing ok with no drinking but do miss the taste of a good wine.

[Thewinterofdiscontent]

I really really miss the taste of wine. I used to work in the wine trade so it’s the worst bit of not drinking.

I’m finding 99% of AF wines just taste of tropical fruit. You might as well buy Shloer. I have not tried the Torres wines yet although they are supposed to be the best. I just can’t bring myself to pay £6 upwards for a soft drink (even if it started as wine).

I thought McGuigans Red was truly vile. The fact that you need to chill this Australian Shiraz says it all. I nearly binned it after the initial smell. It tastes of very cheap black currant pastilles with a hint of damp.

Nosecco was also disappointingly fruit based. They should have ramped up the bubbles too. Coke has more bite.

Eisberg Sauvignon Blanc tastes exactly like orange and passion fruit juice. Goodness knows how but they created a drink exactly opposite to what Sauvignon Blanc should taste like.

My favourite so far is the M&S Rose. It’s just about got a hint of wine flavour. I put on another thread it tastes like a glass of rose with ice in that’s been left on the side all night. Sort of lost all its punch. However it doesn’t have any weird aftertaste and it doesn’t taste of fruit juice.

[longtompot]

@PeacheyPeach

I always think that the Af gin and tonic is a rip off! You can only taste the tonic anyway so should just drink tonic water in a nice glass and save your money 😊

I agree. I do a no g&t so just ice, lime and tonic. Same taste but without the gin. I sometimes crush juniper berries and put them in. Lakeland do some nice gin flavouring bags which are just as nice in a glass of ice and tonic. My favourite tasting one is the spicy one but the fruity one is a pretty pink colour.

[Ivebeeninlockdowntoolong]

McGuigan's zero red - tastes less like grapejuice than other "red" wines so I quite like that one.

[PeacheyPeach]

I always think that the Af gin and tonic is a rip off! You can only taste the tonic anyway so should just drink tonic water in a nice glass and save your money 😊

[WorriedMutha]

I second Nosecco and I've had the M&S fizz which was also good. There's also a great white riesling type from Waitrose called Eins Zwei Zero. Other than that I've tried others that have just tasted like grape juice. Finding a decent red is the holy grail and I wont waste any more money trying.

[Redtartanshoes]

Could you drink AF gin and naice tonic?

[LittleMissNaice]

Never found a decent one. Tesco's pre-mixed cans of alcohol free g&t are pretty good though

[TheFlis12345]

Yet to find a decent wine, but M&S do a very nice alcohol free fizz.

[ZooeyS]

Af wines are generally awful but I second the Martini Vibrante, it’s really good.

[Koolandorthegang]

I couldn’t find any I liked. I thought Nosecco smelled like farts and tasted like cabbage

[Unreasonabubble]

Nosecco. It is like Prosecco but without alcohol. I can drink that and I am a fussy drinker. It is not too sweet at all. It can be bought in Sainsburys, Tesco's and even off Amazon!

[littleloopylou]

Martini Vibrante is the best wine-like drink I've found.

[justpoppy]

I’ve just been to Sainsbury’s and their selection was dismal!! No own brand stuff at all. A couple of the reds looked ok but again they were expensive. Will keep an eye out for their fizzy one though.

[Purplecatshopaholic]

I haven’t found a decent dry, white ‘flat’ wine, so following with interest. On the fizzy front however, Sainsbury’s own brand is really lovely (and a good price). And McGuigans Zero is delicious too.