Rosé All Day: Non-alcoholic rosés for Mother’s Day and Spring 2024
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How about a nice non-alcoholic rosé for Mother's Day weekend?
As the weather gets warmer and we head into May, you may be looking towards a lighter, crisper non-alcoholic tipple to enjoy outside. Rosé wines are sometimes under-appreciated, and even a regular wine drinker considers them to be seasonal and too sweet. In the non-alcoholic wine world, rosé styles both still and sparkling are flourishing and flying off the shelves because they’re really tasty.
Here is a primer on rosé wine for those of you new to the style, with a few selections for 2024.
What is rosé wine?
A happy middle between red and white wines, these beautiful blush coloured wines are made by letting the red grape skins stain the wine for a short amount of time, creating its signature pink hue, which can range from pale to deep. rosé wine stands up wonderfully to the dealcoholization process, making it an excellent wine choice for the sober curious and sober committed alike.
Tasting notes - same but different!
Rosés offer a variety of taste profiles, from light and citrusy, to richer and more tannic. Generally speaking, rosés are known for being fresher and lighter choices, making them ideal for summer patio season! Most dealcoholized rosé wines taste extremely similar to their alcoholic counterparts - just slightly different without the alcohol.
Should rosé be chilled?
Yes. Generally speaking, you’ll ideally chill your wine for a few hours before serving and drink it cool (about 6 - 8 degrees Celsius is optimal). Chilling helps non-alcoholic wines retain that crisp sensation that can sometimes be less evident with the removal of alcohol, so it’s extra-important with alcohol-free rosé.
Our non-alcoholic rosé & sparkling rosé picks for spring 2024
1. Giesen Dealcoholized New Zealand Rosé
Giesen is beloved around the world and the rose is one of their best. The aroma is floral mingling with peach orchard at harvest, and a hint of strawberry. Strawberry, peach and a hint of lemony acidity carry over onto the palette. It’s a great dupe for rosé, with a nice mouthfeel and weight to it. It has a slightly creamy finish which is a nice counterpoint to the tart middle. This is a lovely and refreshing dealcoholized rosé, perfect for a brunch or spring luncheon.
2. Noughty Rosé
This is beautiful Provence-style non-alcoholic rosé wine by UK brand Thompson & Scott. It’s produced in South Africa with Pinotage grapes grown at a dry-land vineyard, and dealcoholized with spinning cone technology. It has scrumptious notes of peach cobbler, and berries, with a nice balanced acidity. The more you drink this, the more you’ll love this stunning wine!
3. Sechey Non-Alcoholic Rose
Sechey is a non-alcoholic drinks retailer and distributor that recently landed shelf space at Target. They have their own in-house brand with three styles: a rose, a sparkling cuvee and a pinot noir. This rose is lovely and fruity with notes of raspberry, rhubarb and a hint of citrus and not overly sweet despite the added sugar (5g). There was a slight sulpherous odour when opened (likely from the preservatives), but if you let it dissipate before pouring it doesn’t affect the liquid. A perfectly light non-alcoholic rose for warmer weather!
(on back order currently but can still be found at some select Target locations)
4. Wander + Found Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Rosé
This non-alcoholic bubby has a crisp and refreshing acidity, with a prominent tartness that leaves a pleasant dry finish. The strawberry notes were definitely the star of the show, providing a delicate sweetness that was well-balanced by the wine's acidity. This non-alcoholic sparkling wine would pair well with a variety of light dishes, such as a fresh salad, grilled shrimp, or even a fruit tart. It would also make a great accompaniment to a cheese platter, providing a nice contrast to the creamy richness of the cheeses.
5. Joyus Sparkling Rosé
This non-alcoholic rosé is listed on “Best Non-Alcoholic Wine” lists as one of the top wines to try and it’s no surprise. It’s a creamy, bubbly elegant non-alcoholic sparkling wine that delivers on taste and experience. Due to its excellent complexity, Joyus Dealcoholized Rosé is a perfect match for savory foods whether it’s brunch or lunch. This is a European, French style non-alcoholic rosé which will delight and please anyone who drinks it, whether they are a non-drinker or not.
6. Silver Swallow Rose
This Canadian-made premium kombucha is inspired by champagne and really elevates the basic kombucha to a stylish experience. It comes in a sparkling wine bottle with a cork, and has gentle notes of strawberry and stone fruit balanced with the typical tartness of kombucha. There’s a teeny hint of matcha from the green tea in it, but it doesn’t overwhelm the delicate balance of fruit and tart. It’s light bubbles are perfect for brunch!
Suggestion: For Mother’s Day or long weekend hosting, set up a ‘No-mosa’ (mimosa) station with sparkling non-alcoholic rose, fresh fruit and fresh juice with glassware and tongs, so guests can make their own mimosa; you can optionally add regular sparkling wine for guests who are not sober-curious or sober-committed!
Cheers!
