December is approaching, the invitations are rolling in, and the same question keeps coming up: ‘What shall we open for a toast?’ Bubbly, of course. Nothing says celebration quite like a popping cork, raised glasses and the first toast of the evening. The trick is finding bubbles everyone around the table will enjoy. The good news? Alcohol-free sparkling wines have come a long way in recent years, and they’re no longer shy on flavour. Here’s how to choose them — and which ones to open for the festivities.
In short: alcohol-free Champagne doesn’t exist under that name — the designation is protected. What you can find are dealcoholised sparkling wines made from real wines. For a refined, crisp style, choose Chardonnay; for drinks before dinner, a lively white; for a festive touch, a fruity rosé. Serve at 6–8 °C. Delivered in 72 hours.
Is there such a thing as alcohol-free Champagne?
Not under that name, but the bubbles are real
The word ‘Champagne’ is a protected designation of origin: it is reserved for sparkling wines made in Champagne under strict specifications. No alcohol-free bottle can carry the name, even if that’s what everyone searches for when planning the festivities.
What you’ll find instead are dealcoholised sparkling wines. They start as real wines, made from grapes and vinified in the usual way. The alcohol is then gently removed to preserve the grape variety’s aromas, before the bubbles are added back. That’s what sets them apart from ordinary fizzy grape juice. Most of our sparkling wines are labelled 0.0%; a few contain up to 0.5%, which is always stated on the product page.
💡 Our wine merchant’s tip: look for the grape variety on the label. Chardonnay, Sauvignon or Pinot Noir tells you it started as a real wine — and promises bubbles worth savouring.
How do you choose the right alcohol-free bubbly?
Three simple things to look for
First, consider the grape variety. Chardonnay gives fine, crisp bubbles with the brioche character we love for special occasions. Sauvignon and Viognier bring more zest and fruit, perfect for drinks before dinner. Pinot Noir and Syrah make richer, more indulgent rosés.
Next, think about the occasion. A dry, mineral white for drinks before dinner and oysters, a fruity rosé for dessert or sweet treats, and a more complex cuvée for the midnight toast.
Finally, consider the budget. From under €10 for an easy-drinking bubbly to share around a big table to a vintage cuvée for a special occasion, there are bubbles for every gathering.
💡 Our wine merchant’s tip: when planning quantities, allow one bottle for 4 to 5 glasses. For drinks before dinner with ten people, two bottles are enough; for a whole evening, plan for one more.
Our pick of alcohol-free bubbles for the festive season
For a special occasion
If you only open one bottle, make it this one: Le Blanc by French Bloom. An organic, dealcoholised Chardonnay, fresh and mineral, with notes of pear and white flowers. Its rosé counterpart, Le Rosé by French Bloom, blends Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for aromas of rose and red berries. And for the midnight toast, there’s Cuvée Vintage 2023, a vintage blanc de blancs that makes the occasion feel special.
The perfect pairing: oysters, smoked salmon and festive canapés.
→ Explore the full French Bloom range
A refined brut style
For those who like dry, crisp bubbles, Sparkling Chardonnay by Pierre Zéro Signature offers fine bubbles with tropical fruit and brioche notes. Blanc Cuvée No. 01 by Kolonne Null, made with the Freiherr von Gleichenstein estate, blends Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.
The perfect pairing: seafood, fish and hard cheeses.
Affordable drinks before dinner
Our number-one bubbly last Christmas: sparkling Viognier Sauvignon from Domaine de l'Arjolle, at under €10. Fine bubbles, floral and fruity aromas, and a lively palate: it’s a crowd-pleaser. In the same vein, try sparkling Sauvignon Blanc by Divin, the Loire’s first dealcoholised bubbly, or Chardonnay by Petit Étoilé, an organic wine with creamy bubbles and green apple notes.
The perfect pairing: savoury nibbles, small appetiser glasses and a platter of fresh cheeses.
Rosé for a celebration
For a festive touch, l’Arjolle’s Syrah Cabernet rosé brings red berry flavours at a modest price. Kisumé Rosé by Aubert & Mathieu, with notes of wild strawberry and raspberry, is low in sugar too. And Java by Bargemone brings all the freshness of a Provence rosé.
The perfect pairing: red berry desserts, fruit yule log and macarons.
For something unexpected
Fancy something a little different? Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine by Moderato is made from Bordeaux Merlot, with notes of candied fruit. L’excessive by Château d'Estoublon, made from 100% Muscat, reveals floral and honeyed notes.
The perfect pairing: foie gras, citrus desserts and white chocolate.
→ Explore all our alcohol-free sparkling wines
How should you serve alcohol-free bubbly?
The right temperature, the right glass
Serve bubbly chilled, at 6–8 °C: give it three hours in the fridge or twenty minutes in a bucket of water and ice. Too cold, and it loses its aromas; too warm, and it foams up and quickly goes flat.
For glassware, a flute is still the most festive choice, but a slightly wider tulip glass lets the aromas shine. To open the bottle, hold the cork, tilt the bottle and turn it gently rather than pulling. Pour in two stages: fill each glass a third of the way, let the foam settle, then top it up.
💡 Our wine merchant’s tip: keep an opened bottle in the fridge with an airtight stopper. It will generally hold its fizz for a day or two — enough to carry the celebrations through to brunch the next day.
Prosecco, crémant, sparkling wine: which alcohol-free bubbles should you choose?
Like Champagne, Prosecco and Crémant are protected designations: no alcohol-free bottle can carry those names. But you can still find their styles.
Love prosecco for its light, fruity style? Try Viognier Sauvignon by l’Arjolle or Sauvignon by Divin. Prefer the finesse and brioche notes of crémant? Chardonnay by Pierre Zéro or the one from Petit Étoilé will suit you well. And if you simply want a sparkling wine for a toast, that’s exactly what our entire Sparkling collection is for.
You might also like
- Alcohol-free white wine: the guide to choosing the right bottle
- Alcohol-free rosé: the complete guide to choosing the right one
- Alcohol-free wine and food pairings: what to serve with what
Frequently asked questions
Does alcohol-free Champagne exist?
Not under that name: ‘Champagne’ is a protected designation. What you can find instead are dealcoholised sparkling wines made from real wines, with the alcohol removed before the bubbles are added back.
What’s the best alcohol-free alternative to Champagne for the festive season?
For a special occasion, choose Le Blanc by French Bloom, a fresh, mineral organic Chardonnay. For drinks to share before dinner, try the sparkling Viognier Sauvignon from Domaine de l'Arjolle, our number-one bubbly last Christmas.
Which alcohol-free bubbly should you choose during pregnancy?
Choose bottles labelled 0.0%, such as French Bloom, l’Arjolle, Kisumé or Le Petit Étoilé. The alcohol content is always shown on the label and product page.
How many bottles should you plan for the festivities?
Allow one bottle for 4 to 5 glasses. For pre-dinner drinks with ten people, two bottles are enough; for a whole evening, plan for one more.
Gueule de Joie — France’s first alcohol-free wine merchant, established in 2019. Over 450 products selected for their taste, delivered anywhere in France within 72 hours (free delivery on orders over €120).
