Drinking Fre Wine While Pregnant? What You Need to Know…

In case you haven’t noticed, alcohol-free wines are having a moment.

 

From features on national tv shows, to hot new brands launched by celebrity chefs, real housewives, and pop icons such as Katy Perry, it feels like everywhere you look someone is pouring themselves a glass of non-alcoholic wine. Which of course they should. There’s been a flurry of new NA wines coming to market that have completely redefined what non-alcoholic wine can and should be, meaning there’s never been a better time to dip your toe in the water and give alcohol-removed wines a chance.

 

 

I mean, it wasn't that long ago that wine purists wouldn't have reached for alcohol-free wine even if they were dying of thirst. But last year we were able to convince some of the most awarded wine makers and sommeliers in California to work with us on crafting the world's most delicious bottle of non-alcoholic cabernet sauvignon. How cool is that??

 

Not surprisingly, one of the most common groups giving non-alcoholic wine a try is expectant mothers. In fact, questions about alcoholic-free wine and pregnancy are some of the most frequent we get here at YOURS, which is why we’ve gone to great lengths to detail the topic in posts such as Is Non Alcoholic Wine Safe During Pregnancy? and 12 Best Non-Alcoholic Wines to Drink While Pregnant.

 

And today, we’re going to try and answer a more brand-specific question we’ve seen pop up again and again recently:

 

Is it safe to drink Fre Wine while pregnant?

 

[Important Note: Pregnancy is a very personal journey...one that should be discussed thoroughly with your partner, and most importantly, your doctor. No one here at YOURS would ever claim to be a physician, nor would we tell you what’s best for you and your baby. Our hope with this piece is to give you enough information to have an informed discussion with your healthcare providers.]

 

Is Fre Wine Safe for Pregnancy?

Yes, Fre Wine is safe for pregnancy. While it's important to consult your doctor about what you consume during pregnancy, Fre Wine has a lower alcohol by volume (0.5%) than many items pregnant women may already be consuming, including fresh orange juice, a ripe banana, and many types of bread. Consumed in moderation, many women find Fre Wine to be an excellent tool to help transition away from alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.

 

Fre Alcohol-Removed Wine

Owned and operated by the Trinchero Family Estates - who know a thing or two about crafting great wine, considering their portfolio boasts over 50 beloved brands - Fre Alcohol-Removed Wine is the most popular and widely-available NA wine here in the U.S. Which is why it’s also earned itself the nickname of “pregnancy wine,” as it’s the first option many pregnant women turn to when they’re looking to satisfy that red or white wine craving.

 

That being the case, we’re not all that surprised that many of our direct messages and emails contain a variation of the same question: What do I need to know about drinking Fre wine while pregnant?

 

Well today, we’re going to try and answer that question…

 

How is Fre Alcohol-Removed Wine Made?

In order to decide if drinking Fre Wine is right for you during your pregnancy, it’s best to start by understanding how Fre is actually made…

 

Like many non-alcoholic wines on the market, every bottle of Fre Wine begins as a traditional bottle of wine. Made from grapes grown on California vineyards, the fruit is picked, crushed, and fermented using winemaking practices that have been perfected for decades. But this is just beginning for a bottle of Fre.

 

Once the team is satisfied with their wine, it’s time to separate the alcohol. Using a world-renown method known as “spinning cones” (the same process we use here at YOURS), the alcoholic wine moves through a series of cones that spin at a rate so fast, the aromas and flavors of the wine are separated from the water and alcohol molecules. The water and alcohol then make an additional pass through the cones, where the alcohol is evaporated away from the mixture. Once this process is complete, the winemakers carefully reintroduce the now non-alcoholic liquid to the flavors and aromas that were separated during the first pass, leaving the essence of the original wine intact, just without the alcohol.

 

The final step is to replace the missing alcohol. Since they start with a wine that’s roughly 12-15% alcohol by volume, this missing piece needs to be replaced in order to craft a complete, balanced bottle of non-alcoholic wine. Winemakers use many different methods and ingredients to replace the alcohol in alcohol-free wines, and in Fre’s case, they generally use juice - which is why most reviews will tell you that Fre Alcohol-Removed Wines tend to fall on the sweeter side.

 

Is There Alcohol in Fre Wine? 

Of course, with all this talk of alcohol-free wine, it’s especially important to note for pregnancy that nearly every bottle of non-alcoholic wine technically contains somewhere between 0.0% and 0.5% alcohol by volume (for reference, a standard bottle of red usually clocks in around 14%). This is because the spinning cones, as effective as they are, cannot separate 100% of the alcohol molecules from the essence of the original wine.

 

So, does that mean you cannot drink Fre Wine while pregnant? Not necessarily. Again, we encourage you to discuss all food and beverage options with your healthcare provider. But you may not realize that naturally occurring alcohol is in many foods and drinks you may already be consuming.

 

For example, a standard glass of orange juice or apple juice will often contain more alcohol than most non-alcoholic wines. Same goes for kombucha. Even many fresh baked breads contain trace amounts of alcohol…some as high as 1-2%! Alcohol is the byproduct of yeast consuming sugar, and this reaction happens more frequently in food and drinks than many may realize.

 

Of course, our goal here isn’t to scare you. It’s just to inform you, and ensure you have all the details you need to have a productive conversation with your doctor!

 

What Types of Wine Does Fre Offer?

Now, if you’ve spoken with your doctor and decided that Fre Alcohol-Removed Wine is something you’re going to enjoy during your pregnancy, where should you begin?

 

As we mention in our Top 5 Fre Wines Review, there’s something for everyone in Fre’s selection of alcohol-removed wines, including reds, whites, rosés, and even sparkling.

 

Let’s take a closer look at each of the Fre Alcohol-Removed Wines on the market: 

Fre Wine Sparkling Brut Non-Alcoholic Champagne

Percentage Alcohol: Less than 0.5%

Calories: 80

Carbohydrates: 21g

Juice Percentage: 27%

Available in both bottles and picnic-friendly cans, Fre Wine Sparkling Brut Non-Alcoholic Champagne is bursting with delicate bubbles and bright, fruit-forward flavors. Without a doubt the standard for any alcohol-free toast or champagne mocktail!

 

Fre Wine Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Rosé 

Percentage Alcohol: Less than 0.5%

Calories: 70

Carbohydrates: 20g

Juice Percentage: 26%

Also available by the bottle and the can, Fre Wine Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Rosé offers a similar experience as the Fre Non-Alcohol Champagne, but with a slightly more fruit-forward palate, including delicious strawberries and a hint of citrus.  

 

 

Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic Rosé

Percentage Alcohol: Less than 0.5%

Calories: 50

Carbohydrates: 14g

Juice Percentage: 15%

Love rosé but not a fan of bubbles? Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic Rosé is a still version of their popular sparkling wine. Crisp and refreshing, this non-alcoholic wine is the perfect choice to enjoy chilled on a warm summer day.

 

Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay

Percentage Alcohol: Less than 0.5%

Calories: 70

Carbohydrates: 19g

Juice Percentage: 23%

If you’re a fan of California’s creamy chardonnays, Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay will not disappoint. Pouring a rich, golden shade of yellow, and bursting with the flavors of buttery apple and citrus, this bottle checks nearly all the boxes when it comes to alcohol-free wine.

 

Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic Moscato

Percentage Alcohol: Less than 0.5%

Calories: 90

Carbohydrates: 25g

Juice Percentage: 27%

One of our favorite non-alcoholic white wines, Fre Non-Alcoholic Moscato is a purposefully sweet white wine that is loaded with the flavors of fresh peaches and apples. Perfect for pairing with spicy dishes and decadent desserts!

 

Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic White Zinfandel

Percentage Alcohol: Less than 0.5%

Calories: 70

Carbohydrates: 20g

Juice Percentage: 28%

With its beautiful pink hue and flavor-packed palate of fresh berries, there’s a lot to love about Fre Wine’s Non-Alcoholic White Zinfandel. We prefer to enjoy ours super chilled on a warm day for that extra refreshing experience!

 

Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic Red Blend

Percentage Alcohol: Less than 0.2%

Calories: 70

Carbohydrates: 22g

Juice Percentage: 13%

While Fre Alcohol-Removed Red Wines tend to fall on the sweeter side, Fre Non-Alcoholic Red Blend is a well-balanced option that pours a rich ruby shade and gives off hints of smoke and spice mixed with ripe fruit as your sip. Our favorite of the Fre reds for sure!

 

Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic Merlot

Percentage Alcohol: Less than 0.5%

Calories: 70

Carbohydrates: 22g

Juice Percentage: 20%

One of the only true non-alcoholic merlots on the market, Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic Merlot boasts a flavor-profile packed with plum, cherry, and spices. A great option for those looking for a rich glass of red.

 

Fre Wine Non-Alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon

Percentage Alcohol: Less than 0.2%

Calories: 70

Carbohydrates: 20g

Juice Percentage: 18%

Of course, no non-alcoholic wine collection from California is truly complete without a Cabernet Sauvignon. The king of red wines, Fre Non-Alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon works hard to pay homage to the traditional bottles, layering in the flavors of berry and spice, and toning down the sweetness the best they can for a delicious glass of NA red that’s perfect for nearly any occasion.

 

 

Final Thoughts: Fre Alcohol-Removed Wine

There’s a lot to love about Fre Non-Alcoholic Wine. It’s readily available almost everywhere. It’s reasonably priced. Their lineup has a ton of variety. And in general, they all taste pretty decent. Meaning if you’re looking for a quick, easy replacement for that glass of red or white while pregnant, Fre is never a bad choice.

 

While there are plenty of non-alcoholic wine brands out there that come closer to replicating the experience of the real deal, Fre is a great place to dip your toe into the water.