After working my way through two bottles of the Giesen 0% Merlot, one that was sent to me by the Giesen team and one that I bought from Sip & Enjoy, it’s time to chat through exactly what the first red in the Giesen non-alcoholic range has to offer.
The Giesen 0% Merlot scores an 8.4/10 with its warm, toasty oak filled & round profile that is built around sophisticated spice, dark blackberries, plum & a long tannin led finish that completes the mouthfeel well. An inside tip is that this really opens up after being aired in your glass or on the second day after opening.
Key Takeaways
| Alcohol By Volume | < 0.5% |
| Style | Wine: Merlot |
| Calories per 100ml | 18 calories |
| Main Notes | Spice. Blackberries. Plum. |
| Cost | $17 – $20 / bottle. |
| Rating | 8.4 / 10 |
| Drink Again? | Yes |
| Where to Buy | AU |
READ THE FULL REVIEW DOWN BELOW
- What does Giesen Zero Merlot Taste Like?
- Giesen Zeo Merlot Stockists?
- Giesen Zero Merlot Calories
- Rating and Score Criteria
What Does the Giesen 0% Merlot Taste Like
The first red wine in the Giesen 0% range has been a long anticipated one. In the non-alcoholic Merlot, Giesen have taken their time to ensure a product was brought to market that addressed the main challenge that plagues non-alcoholic wine – sweetness.
Light, oaky and young on the nose, the aroma profile of the 0% Merlot (much like the Pinot Gris) transports me back to the aromas that are so synonymous with mornings that turn into afternoons and evenings spent bottling thousands of litres of wine.
The fact this smells like a real wine, is a positive start and in each glass you will be treated to a bright and deep purple coloured wine that is crafted around a taste profile that is:
- Instantly warm with notable oak with a light sweetness
- Dark fruits of blackberry and plum that also add a level of brightness to each glass
- Spiced body that builds on the initial warm and oak led profile
- Well placed finishing tannins that round out and balance each mouthful well
Differences Between Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Red Wine
While the taste profile of the Giesen 0% non-alcoholic Merlot is on a similar trajectory to Linderman’s offering, if you’re new to non-alcoholic red wine it is important to note there are a couple of key differences between alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines.
In recent tastings with first-time non-alcoholic wine drinkers, the biggest difference that was discussed has been the lack of heat, power and mouth-filling sheen.
Practically speaking, if you’re looking to get into the world of non-alcoholic wine expect:
- something a little different;
- a bigger focus on flavour and notes from fruit; and
- a light level of residual sweetness.
Once you’re across the way the non-alcoholic chips are falling and are ready to explore, you’re good to go. Let’s find you a bottle down below.
Giesen 0% Merlot Stockists.
Growing in its release availability, the Giesen 0% Merlot is available through selected stockists or via the team at Giesen themselves. Much like the other Giesen alcohol-free wine options, the Merlot is likely to be in high demand as Giesen fans are likely to snap up supply!
Worried you’re going to miss out on a bottle? Fear not, I’ve included a couple of retailers down below where you can pick up a bottle and try it out for yourself.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – if you can find it in stock, get your hands on it or be prepared to wait in the wings while your Instagram feed blows up with how good this range of wines is.
| Country | Retailer |
| Australia / New Zealand | Craft Zero |
| Sip & Enjoy |
Non-Alcoholic Wine from Giesen
If this is your first introduction to non-alcoholic wine by Giesen, you might be looking for a little more information on what all the fuss is about.
You can find full write-ups of the Sauv Blanc, Rose, and Pinot Gris at the links below and stand by for more on the Riesling which I’m super excited to get my hands on.
Have a read, and if one looks like it could make its way into your glass, you’ll find retailers listed to help you scratch the itch.
- Sauv Blanc: Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc
- Rose: Giesen 0% Rose
- Pinot Gris: Giesen 0% Pinot Gris
- Reisling: Giesen 0% Reisling
When to Drink the Alcohol Free Merlot by Giesen
As a style Merlot is generally softer in its profile when contrasted against other wine varieties. For me this generally means pulling together a lighter profiled dish. However, for this one I’d be willing to push it a little.
While it would go perfectly with baked fish and some roast vegetables, it would also go well with a tomato-based casserole with plenty of vegetables and your choice of protein. You’ll see below that I opted for beef that was stewed with some freshly cut green beans.
Giesen 0% Merlot Calories
The Giesen 0% Merlot is a healthy, low sugar non-alcoholic wine option that comes in at only 23 calories per 125ml which is made up of 4.8 grams of carbohydrates of which 3.8 grams is residual sugar. While at a 100ml level it comes in at 18 calories and 3.8 grams of carbohydrates of which 3 grams is residual sugar.
If you’ve come from the Pinot Gris review, you’re going to realise these numbers are identical as are the serving amounts 125ml per serve and 6 serves per bottle!
Get the full detailed nutritional information below!
| Avg Qty per 125ml Serve | Avg Qty per 100ml | |
| Energy | 96 kJ 23 Cal | 77 kJ 18 Cal |
| Protein | 0.25 g | 0.2 g |
| Fat, total | 0 g | 0 g |
| — saturated | 0 g | 0 g |
| Carbohydrate | 4.8 g | 3.8 g |
| — sugars | 3.8 g | 3 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 0 mg |
With such a low sugar count, you could work your way through this whole bottle and still come in under the amount of sugar in a single chocolate bar or calories in a single glass of alcoholic wine.
Pretty great right?
Giesen Alcohol-Free Merlot Rating?
If the other wines in the Giesen 0% range are anything to go by, the Merlot was always destined to be a hit, but more on that in the wrap up below.
As we touched on just above, alcoholic and non-alcoholic reds are always going to be markedly different. With that in mind, rating the Giesen against other non-alcoholic wines sees it do really quite well and lands it as one of the better tasting reds I have found.
The full number set is down below.
| Flavour/Taste (40%) | Body (40%) | Nutrition (10%) | Drinkability (10%) | Total (100%) | ||
| RAW | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 33 | /40 |
| ADJUSTED | 3.2 | 3.6 | .8 | .8 | 8.4 | /10 |
The Round-Up: Final Thoughts
Whether it is white, red or anything in between, the Giesen team are pulling together some great quality non-alcoholic options. While it is expected that all non-alcoholic options from Giesen are of high quality and taste, achieving an output of this quality shouldn’t be taken for granted and some serious kudos should be sent the way of Giesen.
I’m excited to see what the Giesen crew have coming down the line as things continue to develop and evolve, but for now, go re-read that paragraph on what non-alcoholic wine is not and grab yourself a bottle or two and explore what non-alcoholic reds bring to the table.
Chapeau team Giesen!
| Country | Retailer |
| Australia / New Zealand | Craft Zero |
| Sip & Enjoy |
