The zero-alcohol movement is gaining traction for plenty of reasons. Some people are choosing to abstain from alcohol altogether, while others don’t want to feel left out of the fun when they need to drive, for example. Since cannabis became legal in Canada, some people have found they prefer cannabis over alcohol and find that the two don’t mix well, but it’s still nice to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail when using cannabis in a social setting. 

Gruvi has launched a series of alcohol-free beers and wines that cater to this new demand. The award-winning company, which is based in Denver, ships its product across Canada, the U.S., and Australia. 

As a nod to Dry January, we sampled three wines from Gruvi to see how they compare to alcohol-based wines. See how they fared in our testing below and learn more at getgruvi.com. In Canada, these products can be ordered for delivery from Well.ca

(Disclosure: products were supplied for testing by the manufacturer.)

Gruvi Dry Secco
50 calories, gluten-free
$14.99 for 4 x 275 mL bottles

This Prosecco-style non-alcoholic wine is made from Chardonnay grape juice as well as added flavours and citric acid. Its flavour profile is on the untraditional side with less bite and leaning more toward a floral emphasis than the juicy apple and citrus flavours a sparkling wine drinker may be used to. Of the three wines we sampled, this is the one we’re least likely to pick up again. But it’s also Gruvi’s best-seller, so this is very much a matter of personal taste, and it would make a good base for interesting non-alcoholic cocktails.
Score: 6/10

Gruvi Bubbly Rosé
60 calories, gluten-free
$14.99 for 4 x 275 mL bottles

The flavours of this alcohol-free bubbly rosé are similar to those found in a traditional sparkling rosé with plenty berry flavours. It also shows an interesting hint of green apple that helps add some depth and acidity. With a pleasantly pink hue and evident effervescence, this is one we’d pick up for occasional sipping on its own. Score: 7/10

Gruvi Dry Red Blend
45 calories, gluten-free, vegan
$24.99 for 4 x 250 mL cans

Non-alcoholic red wines can be very hit or miss, so the enjoyable flavours on this wine made from dealcoholized California wine come as a delightfully pleasant surprise. The lack of alcohol means there’s not much to detect on the nose, but don’t let that deter you. Upon sipping, this wine comes across as very fruity with prominent berry and red fruit notes, similar to a light Pinot noir. You’ll even detect some degree of tannin. This makes for a solid stand-in for those times when you’d really like to but can’t enjoy a glass a wine, whatever the reason.
Score: 7/10