Discover our edit of brilliant summer wines without the booze (or the hangover)
Summer arrives, and suddenly our calendars are heaving. Family barbecues, sun-drenched after-work drinks, birthdays, weddings, and those deceptively casual “just one glass” garden evenings that somehow end in karaoke and 2am cheese on toast. It’s joyful, it’s social, it’s very much what we’ve been waiting for all year – but it’s also... a lot.
And here’s the thing: we want to enjoy it all - every toast, every sunny afternoon, every celebration - without sacrificing our sleep, our skin, or our ability to form full sentences the next morning. We want to be able to drive to that BBQ and back again without FOMO. And that's where low and no alcohol wines come in.
The benefits are obvious: no hangovers, no fuzziness, no sudden regrets when you remember you’ve got a kids’ birthday party to navigate tomorrow. They're also the top choice for pregnant women who miss a chilled glass of rose on a hot day. But for too long, going alcohol-free meant either tap water, or resigning yourself to something syrupy, cloying, and frankly rather disgusting. Sweet in all the wrong ways and not remotely like the wine it was pretending to be. That’s where Laithwaites comes in.
Known for their dedication to proper plonk (this online wine merchant is dedicated to independent winemakers and the kind of labels you won’t find on the supermarket shelf) they’ve turned their expert palate to the alcohol-free space too, curating a line-up that’s a genuine pleasure to drink. Whether you’re doing a midweek pause, going booze-free full-time, or just trying to pace yourself through summer party season, this is how to do it with taste.
Below we've rounded up some of Laithwaite's best, most sunshine-friendly 0% options for the season ahead:
¡H! Barcelona Hola Alcohol Free Sparkling
£5.99
Top tip for swerving the booze - fizz alternatives tend to be the safest bet and have a rep for being as close to a dupe for the regular kind as you can get. Fun and fruity with a citrus twist, it's the easiest swap you can make.
Noughty Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé
£9.99
Fizzy rosé? Go on then, it is summer. An organic, low-sugar pink fizz that’s got a cult following for good reason. Bright, pink, and proud – serve this at sunset with something from the barbecue, or just pop open next time the girls' are round for a natter. This one gets our vote.
Wednesday's Domaine Vignette Alcohol-Free Red Wine Red Wine
£14.99
Wednesday, only Wednesday! But you'd like a glass of wine. Hence the name of the company behind Domaine Vignette. A rare and genuinely tasty alcohol-free red. Smooth, slightly smoky, and totally barbecue-friendly. We won't lie this one gets mixed reviews, but we personally loved it - it tastes great when chilled. Seriously!
Oddbird Alcohol-Free Sparkling Rose
£10.99
Oddbird is Sweden's first producer of sparkling wine liberated from alcohol. A dry, elegant fizz that genuinely surprises. Not too sweet, with red berry freshness and a crisp finish – perfect for garden parties and “shall we pop a bottle?” moments that don’t require a sore head afterwards.
Noughty Alcohol Free Rosé
£9.99
The reviews for this one? 5 stars from Laithwaites customers. Delicate and refreshing, this still rosé is endlessly drinkable. Light strawberries and a touch of citrus make it a top pick for long lunches and park picnics. Whispering who?
Wednesday's Domaine Piquant Alcohol-Free White Wine White Wine
£14.99
Not everyone agrees on this one – but we adored it. Crisp, dry, and full of herbal, citrussy intrigue. Excellent with pasta salads and smug, sunny smugness. Just add a big ice cube for a perfect chilled finish.
Oddbird Alcohol-Free Spumante
£12.99
Italy’s answer to summer sparkle – floral, peachy and seriously easy to love. Pop it when the mood strikes, whether you’re in the mood to celebrate or just fancy feeling fancy.