When I gave up drinking over a year ago, one of the things I missed most was savoring wine and cheese together. I quickly learned, though, that there are plenty of delicious nonalcoholic wines on the market that go incredibly well with my favorite cheeses and cheese-forward dishes.

To find out how, exactly, to pair nonalcoholic wine with cheese for the ultimate enjoyment, I tapped a variety of experts in the food and nonalcoholic drink space for their input.

How nonalcoholic wine differs from traditional wine

First things first: Let’s go over how nonalcoholic wine is different from traditional wine. Typically, nonalcoholic wine undergoes the same production process as regular wine but then has the alcohol removed before being bottled and sold. The removal of the alcohol can impact the wine’s flavor.

“Alcohol adds flavor, body, and sweetness to wine,” explains Duncan Schouler, chief winemaker at Giesen, a New Zealand-based wine company that produces both traditional and nonalcoholic wines. “So when the alcohol is removed, a few things happen to the wine: It no longer has the “heat” that alcohol typically brings, it becomes lighter in body, the natural acidity becomes more apparent which makes the wine fresh and racy, and the flavor becomes more subtle while still showing great definition of fruit character.”

Schouler adds that at Giesen, they use spinning cone technology to gently remove the alcohol from the full-strength wine wile also preserving its distinctive aromas. “This allows us to maintain varietal character and, most importantly, regional definition,” he says.

What factors to consider when pairing nonalcoholic wine with cheese

“When pairing NA wine with cheese, it’s important to apply the same principles as you would with traditional wines,” notes Katie Schall with Beehive Cheese. She recommends matching the intensity of the wine with the intensity of the cheese.

“Lighter wines are a good match for delicate cheeses, while fuller-bodied wines can handle stronger, more aged cheeses,” says Schall. “Look for complementary or contrasting flavors. For instance, acidic wines can cut through the richness of creamy cheeses, while sweet wines can balance the saltiness of certain cheeses.”

Consider bringing a few other foods into the mix as well. “Dried fruits such as apricots, some good-quality crackers, or even delicious quince paste would all work well,” says Schouler. “The sweetness and tartness of quince paste is a wonderful match with Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.”

The best nonalcoholic wine and cheese pairings

Hilary Sheinbaum, author of The Dry Challenge, says she loves pairing Wander & Found Wander + Found Non-Alcoholic Cuvée Blanc with most cheeses and cheese dishes — including pizza. (Yum!) “There’s nothing better than the high-low NA sparkling wine and pizza combo,” she says.

Sheinbaum adds that she can’t go without a bottle of Starla Alcohol-Removed Sparkling Rosé if she’s making a cheese plate for guests or if she’s bringing a hostess gift and knows there will be cheesy apps served.

Meanwhile, Schouler shares this advice for pairing Giesen’s nonalcoholic wines with cheese:

• Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc: Pair with salty, sharp cheeses like goat cheese. “The palate of ripe tropical fruit and natural acidity on this classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc complements the savory characteristics of the cheese perfectly,” he says.
• Giesen 0% Riesling: Pair with soft cheeses such as camembert. “The slight touch of sweetness on this wine works very well with the creamy texture of the camembert, while its lovely tart acidity cuts through the fattiness of the cheese, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for another bite,” he says.
• Giesen 0% Premium Red: Pair with a blue cheese, like English Stilton or Roquefort. “The fruit-forward profile of this red wine compliments the saltiness of the cheese, while the natural tannin is able to stand up to the strong flavor of blue cheeses very well, making a lovely and balanced pairing,” he says.

As for me? Besides the above mentioned brands, I’m also a fan of the following nonalcoholic wines to pair with cheese:

• Sovi: The canned NA sparkling white and rosé wines are great options to bring to a picnic and sip as you munch on charcuterie.
• Studio Null: From reds to whites to sparkling rosés, these NA wines have a sophistacted flavor profile that’ll ensure a satisfying combo with whatever cheese you choose.
• Töst: Brewed with white tea, these sparkling beverages offer a unique twist on NA wine. Break out a bottle for a special occasion!

Image courtesy of Giesen