Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay: A Complete Guide

What’s better than coming home from a long day of work than helping yourself to a cold glass of white wine, guilt-free? Doing so without any of the consequences of traditional wine - such as lethargy, brain fog, headaches, and poor sleep - among many others.

We know what you're thinking - wouldn't that be nice! And sure - it might sound too good to be true. But it's not. With non-alcoholic Chardonnay, you can wind down without the side effects of alcohol. Everything you love about your glass of bubbly without the things you hate. And while you may be a bit skeptical right now, you'll soon be hooked. In this in-depth guide, you're going to learn everything you need to know about alcohol-free chardonnay.

Here at Boisson, we're the leading supplier of alcohol-free beverages. And we cannot wait to introduce you to your new favorite product. You'll learn what differentiates chardonnay from other types of white wine, and how this alcohol-free substitute is made. You'll gain insights into the flavor profile and complexion you can expect from that first sip, too. Of course, we'll also make the case for replacing your traditional bottles of chardonnay with alcohol-free alternatives. The benefits of this product are vast - and once you've taken a chance on it, you'll never go back! Stay tuned to the very end as we let you in on which chardonnay alternatives are best, and where you can get them yourself.

What Exactly is Chardonnay?

First things first - what exactly is chardonnay? What differentiates this type of white wine from others?

When most of us hear the word Chardonnay, we think of wine. But technically Chardonnay is just a type of grape used to make wine. It’s important to note that even if there is no mention of Chardonnay on the label, it doesn't mean this particular grape wasn't used. It all comes down to how different countries label their wines. In France, the birthplace of the Chardonnay grape, wines are produced by region - not by grape. In the US, on the other hand, we label our wines by the grape. The result? A bottle of white Bourgogne is as much a Chardonnay as the classic bottle of California Chardonnay you probably have in your possession right now (or, soon will after reading this article). It's worth noting that while other wines are made with a blend of grape types, chardonnay wine is exclusively made from the chardonnay grape.

Chardonnay wine can taste differently depending on where it is from, but you’ll notice a dry, medium to full-bodied flavor with fresh bursts of apple, guava, and lemon. New World Chardonnays tend to also have a mild note of vanilla balanced out with oak. Perfect for light snacks or even paired with dessert, many people enjoy Chardonnay on its own. The chardonnay grape is known for its versatility - which explains why chardonnay has become such a popular type of wine all over the world. For example, Chardonnay can be made into bubbly wine—at which point it would be considered a non-alcoholic sparkling chardonnay. 

Now that we know what chardonnay is in general, let's talk about the alcohol-free version.

Is There Really Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay Out There?

Yes, there is such a thing as alcohol-free chardonnay - and it's every bit as delicious as the traditional kind! Alcohol-free wine is made in one of two ways: either by removing the alcohol after fermentation or by stopping the fermentation process before the alcohol has a chance to form. In both cases, what you're left with is a delicious wine that contains 0.0% alcohol by volume (ABV). We'll go a bit deeper into the production process below.

So, if non-alcoholic wine is made without alcohol - what gives it its flavor? The answer lies in the grapes. Alcohol isn't responsible for the flavor of wine - it's simply a by-product of fermentation. So, when you remove the alcohol from wine, you're left with all of the delicious grape goodness that gives the wine its flavor in the first place - without the hangover-inducing ABV. Talk about the best of both worlds!

How is Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay Made?

As we just discussed above, there are two ways to make alcohol-free chardonnay: either by removing the alcohol after fermentation or by stopping the fermentation process before the alcohol has a chance to form. Here's a bit of a deeper look into how each process works.

The first method - removing alcohol after fermentation - is done by using a spinning cone column. This is a piece of equipment that's specifically designed to remove alcohol from wine. The wine is put into the column, and then it's spun at a very high speed. The centrifugal force pulls the alcohol out of the wine, and it's then collected in a tank. The alcohol-free wine is then bottled and ready to be enjoyed!

The second method - stopping fermentation before the alcohol has a chance to form - is done by adding sulfur dioxide to the wine. This compound inhibits yeast growth, which in turn prevents alcohol from being produced. The wine is then pasteurized to kill any remaining yeast, and it's bottled and ready to drink.

Now, you're probably wondering which of these methods is more commonplace in modern manufacturing processes today. The answer is that it depends on the company. Some companies prefer to remove alcohol after fermentation because they feel that it results in a higher quality product. Other companies use the stopping fermentation method because it's less expensive and easier to do on a large scale. Thus, higher-end wine companies - such as Thomson & Scott - employ the first method while more affordable options rely on the latter.

Now, one of the biggest determinants of what makes one alcohol-free chardonnay better than the next is flavor. This leads us to the next question - what does alcohol-free chardonnay taste like?

What Does Alcohol-Free Chardonnay Taste Like?

Alcohol-free chardonnay has all of the same flavor notes as traditional chardonnay - it just doesn't have the alcohol. So, you can expect to find flavors of apple, pear, citrus, and vanilla in your glass of alcohol-free chardonnay. The main difference that you'll notice is that alcohol-free chardonnay is often a bit sweeter than its alcohol-containing counterpart. This is because the alcohol acts as a bit of a natural sweetener, so when it's removed, the wine can taste a bit less balanced.

However, don't let this deter you from trying alcohol-free chardonnay! There are plenty of delicious options out there that are perfectly balanced and utterly delicious. We'll give you a few of our favorites in just a moment. First, we need to make the case for taking a chance on this alcohol-free alternative. What's the point? Why should you try alcohol-free chardonnay besides the obvious benefit of avoiding headaches and nausea the next morning? We're going to take a deep dive into the benefits of alcohol-free chardonnay below.

Why Should I Try Alcohol-Free Chardonnay?

If you're on the fence about whether or not alcohol-free chardonnay is right for you, allow us to give you a few reasons why we think it's worth giving it a try. We recently wrote an article discussing the most noteworthy non-alcoholic wine benefits. Because chardonnay is a type of wine, all of these benefits apply here as well. We'll summarize them below:

First, alcohol-free chardonnay is a healthier option than traditional wine. This is because alcohol is calorie-dense, and it can also be dehydrating. And, alcohol can lead to excessive snacking. So, if you're looking to cut down on calories or stay hydrated, alcohol-free chardonnay is a great choice.

Second, alcohol-free chardonnay is a great option for pregnant women and those who are avoiding alcohol for other reasons. Whether you're living a sober life or just need to be able to drive later in the evening - a glass (or two - why not, after all) of nonalcoholic chardonnay is a great choice to help you satisfy that craving.

Finally, alcohol-free chardonnay can be a great way to wind down at night without causing drowsiness the next day. If you've ever had a glass of wine before bed and then struggled to get up the next morning, you know what we're talking about! Here's the thing about alcohol and sleep - while it may help you fall asleep, you don't reach the deep, restorative state you need for real recovery (REM sleep). Alcohol-free chardonnay can help you avoid that by allowing you to enjoy the taste of wine without the alcohol content. Instead, you'll wake up rejuvenated and ready to tackle the day. No headache, no nausea, no brain fog.

If you want a more in-depth look at the top reasons to try non-alcoholic beverages, explore our blog. For now, we want to talk about some of the best non-alcoholic substitutes for chardonnay.

What is the Best Non-Alcoholic Substitute for Chardonnay?

Now that we've made the case for trying alcohol-free chardonnay, it's time to give you a few of our favorite brands. Here at Boisson, we have an extensive collection of non alcoholic chardonnay for sale. We've carefully curated the top offerings from the most highly sought-after brands in the industry. Here are a few of our personal favorites if you're looking to try non-alcoholic chardonnay for the first time:

• Thomson & Scott - Noughty Alcohol-Free Sparkling Chardonnay - an elegant ode to the iconic variety of white wine. Perfect for pairing alongside hors d'oeuvres and mild, buttery dishes
• Hill Street Vin (Zero) Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay - a zesty, light, and refreshing pour. As the folks at Hill Street say, it’s a ‘Chardonnay lover’s Chard.’ Lean enough to pair with a range of foods, it has classic floral and fruity notes.

You can't go wrong with either of these options - and on our site, you can get either one (or both - see which you like better!) shipped your way today. We also have an array of other non-alcoholic white wines available as well!

Where to Buy Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay

Ready to grab a bottle of alcohol-free chardonnay so you can see what the hype is all about? At this point, there's just one thing left to do - head over to the #1 non-alcoholic liquor store online: Boisson. Or, visit us in-store at one of our New York City locations. No matter your reasons for abstaining from alcohol, we're here to provide you with quality, flavorful alternatives that help you continue enjoying your favorite drinks without the guilt, without the consequences. Explore our catalog today and find your new favorite bottle!