A Big Napa Red Without The Buzz

It’s the non-alcoholic wine many of you have been waiting for. A big juicy Napa red blend, without any alcohol. Over the past two years, many readers have DMd and emailed with the same question: “I used to like California reds. Is there a good non-alcoholic one?” Finally, we can say definitively yes!

We wrote about the Luminara non-alcoholic chardonnay in summer 2022, and have been waiting expectantly here in Canada for the Napa red blend to drop. There has been so much buzz about it this past year, from both the media and consumers alike.

Luminara alcohol-removed wine is made in the Napa Valley appellation, with 100% of its grapes grown in the region. The bottle we’re reviewing is from the 2019 vintage, which was a ‘perfect storm’ growing season with an epic harvest. It’s a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Syrah, and 6% other red varietals. After being gently dealcoholized in a spinning cone, the wine is then aged in oak barrels to add more character.

The nose on this wine is outrageous for a non-alcoholic red. It’s got a great big spicy, black cherry aroma typical of a Napa red, and will be familiar to anyone who is a fan of bodacious west coast brands like Bread & Butter or The Stag.

On the palette, Luminara non-alcoholic red blend is juicy and spicy, with lots of black cherry notes and a touch of baking spice. There is a nice soft dryness with a slight hint of sun-dried grape that almost drinks like an amarone. It’s always a joy to find some complexity in non-alcoholic wines, and the balance of fruit, smoke and spice is just right. It finishes with a very nice astringency, adding some surprising length.

As far as sugar is concerned, this has the average amount of sugar per serving for a non-alcoholic wine. It’s 8g per 250ml, which is approximately one good-sized portion.

If you’ve recently had a regular Napa red, you might find this missing something, and it is. The alcohol - which is what makes Napa red wines so highly potent in taste and aroma. However, in comparison to the terrible grape juice options we had only a few years ago, this is an innovative and exceptional product. It’s all about approaching this as a taste experience with an open mind.

If you’re looking for that special occasion non-alcoholic wine this is the one. Open Luminara red with a Friday night steak on the grill, or when you’re cooking some spaghetti with the lights low. It will be a great accompaniment to any dinner, and don’t be surprised when you’re reaching for another glass or two.

You can find Luminara Red Blend at Dry Variety Drinks in Ontario and Eastern Canada, and for west coast readers Sansorium.ca and AFBev.ca.

*Dry Variety Drinks generously provided the samples for this review. All opinions are our own.