Method How it’s made

Vacuum distillation

Alcohol is boiled off under reduced pressure so the wine or beer never has to reach a kitchen-stove temperature.

2 min read
Inside the process
  1. Fermented drink
  2. Reduced pressure
  3. Alcohol removed

Conceptual illustration. Exact systems vary by producer.

How it works

Under vacuum, ethanol leaves a liquid at a lower temperature than it would at atmospheric pressure. A producer may publish a boiling range for one bottle. That number stays on the review, with the source. The promise is simple: take the alcohol, leave the aromatics.

This page is the cellar index for the method. Dealcoholized is the production class, not a synonym for this machine. How is alcohol removed from wine?

Leitz describes this as the basis of Eins-Zwei-Zero. Thomson & Scott describes vacuum distillation with aroma recovery for Noughty. The method is old enough to have a patent history in the early twentieth century; Carl Jung’s name still appears on trade sheets.

It is still heat. It is still a still. Delicate thiols and the perception of body can thin out. Residual sugar is often used to put weight back. When a producer will not name the temperature or the column, treat “gently dealcoholized” as marketing until a technical note appears.

In this cellar

Vacuum distillation is the largest named method set we have tasted. The bottles that hold up usually keep acid and named fruit after the ethanol leaves — not just sweetness filling a hole.

Standouts on this desk include Oddbird GSM and Oddbird Low Intervention Organic White No. 2, Leitz Eins-Zwei-Zero Riesling and its sparkling Riesling, and French Bloom Le Rosé (hybrid construction, vacuum-removed base). Brand depth: Oddbird, Leitz.

The cards below are every published bottle that cites this method. Scores appear only on firsthand tastings. Spinning cone is a related vacuum thin-film story — do not treat the two labels as interchangeable without a primary source.

Cite Karl Hill, “Vacuum distillation,” The Dry Standard, https://drinkdrystandard.com/methods/vacuum-distillation/.

From the cellar

In the cellar with this method

130 bottles

The scores belong to the bottles in this cellar. Spinning cone and vacuum distillation follows both machines from wine to glass.

By grape or style

Rosé 19

Compare holds up to four. Want to try keeps a bottle in My Bottles.

88/100

Standout

Wine · Rosé · 0.43% ABV · $20–$29

A chilled glass of fruit-led rosé over a long lunch.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

86/100

Standout

Wine · Rosé · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

A still Provence rosé when raspberry, watermelon, and a peppery…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

83/100

Wine · Rosé · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

An uncomplicated rosé for raspberry, red currant, and a fresh, easy sip.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

83/100

Wine · Rosé · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

A cold glass when you want a vibrant, fruit-driven rosé more than a…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

83/100

Wine · Rosé · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

A light rosé when you want citrus zest, soft red fruit, and a clean…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

82/100

Wine · Rosé · 0.3% ABV · $20–$29

A rosé when gentle berries and a rounded texture are the point.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

82/100

Wine · Rosé · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

Aperitif hour, seafood, anyone who wants rosé with dinner and a clear…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

82/100

Wine · Rosé · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

A well-chilled, mostly dry rosé when you want bright berry, peach, and…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

80/100

Wine · Rosé · <0.5% ABV

A simple Grenache rosé for ripe strawberry.

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

78/100

Wine · Rosé · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

An off-dry rosé for gentle raspberry, if a short finish is acceptable.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

78/100

Wine · Rosé · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

A cold aperitif when you want light red fruit and rose, not a…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

78/100

Wine · Rosé · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

An easy chilled pink when you want soft berry and do not need a dry…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

77/100

Wine · Rosé · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

A cold, easy pink.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

76/100

Wine · Rosé · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

A chilled picnic pour, mild cheese, or a salad that wants tart fruit…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Rosé · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Rosé · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Rosé · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Sparkling rosé 18

89/100

Standout

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.0% ABV · $30+

A cold sparkling rosé when you want the fruit named.

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

88/100

Standout

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

A sparkling when you want floral over red berry.

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

87/100

Standout

Wine · Sparkling rosé · <0.5% ABV · $30+

A dry sparkling rosé for tart strawberry and a fine bead.

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

85/100

Standout

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

Brunch, aperitif hour, a patio pour — well chilled.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

84/100

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

84/100

Wine · Sparkling rosé · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

A chilled sparkling rosé when raspberry and a fine bead matter more…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

83/100

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

Brunch, toasting, and the rosé sparkling occasion without the alcohol.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

78/100

Wine · Sparkling rosé · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Brunch, the toasting glass, the entry point for people trying…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

78/100

Wine · Sparkling rosé · <0.05% ABV · Under $20

A cheap toast, salad, the bottle you do not overthink.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.0% ABV

United States · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.5% ABV · $30+

France · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

Spain · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling rosé · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Germany · Documented

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling rosé · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

France · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling rosé · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

France · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling rosé · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Austria · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Chardonnay 16

88/100

Standout

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.5% ABV · $30+

A Chardonnay when you want citrus, a buttery middle, and a saline edge.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

87/100

Standout

Wine · Chardonnay · 0.5% ABV · $30+

A sparkling Chardonnay when you want dough and pear, then a tart…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

86/100

Standout

Wine · Chardonnay · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

Aperitif service, a toast, or a spritz base when you want wine rather…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

86/100

Standout

Wine · Chardonnay · 0.0% ABV · $30+

Dinner-party bottles where the goal is to outdo the by-the-glass list…

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

84/100

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.5% ABV · $30+

A Chardonnay when green apple and a little toast should meet a dry…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

81/100

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Pour it for the apple-and-peach nose.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

81/100

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

An easy apple-and-pear pour with a little fizz.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

80/100

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Seafood, salads, or a chilled aperitif when you want fruit and acid…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

79/100

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Aperitif hour, seafood, the white you pour guests who ask what's…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

60/100

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Reading the method.

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Chardonnay · 0.0% ABV

United States · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.05% ABV · Under $20

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Chardonnay · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Chardonnay · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

Documented

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

Sparkling 15

87/100

Standout

Editor’s Pick

Jörg Geiger

Blanc de Blanc

Wine · Sparkling · <0.5% ABV · $30+

The dinner-party bottle, and the answer to anyone who says…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

85/100

Standout

Wine · Sparkling · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

Anyone tired of nonalcoholic sparkling that tastes like sweet apple…

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

84/100

Wine · Sparkling · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

Brunch, a celebratory toast, or as the base of a spritz — treat it…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

83/100

Wine · Sparkling · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

An easy sparkling white when apple, peach, and a gentle prickle should…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

81/100

Wine · Sparkling · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

A cold aperitif when you want orchard fruit and a lively bead more…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

79/100

Wine · Sparkling · <0.05% ABV · Under $20

Goat cheese salad, poultry, sushi — or any occasion that wants a…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

79/100

Wine · Sparkling · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

A casual toast for someone who likes gentle fruit and a little…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

United States · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling · <0.05% ABV · $30+

United States · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

France · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Austria · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Sparkling · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Austria · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Riesling 12

88/100

Standout

Wine · Riesling · <0.05% ABV · $20–$29

A toast that still wants Riesling, not generic nonalcoholic bubbly.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

88/100

Standout

Editor’s Pick

Leitz

Eins-Zwei-Zero Riesling

Wine · Riesling · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Weeknight fish, spicy takeout, or anyone who wants Riesling acidity…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

87/100

Standout

Wine · Riesling · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

Fish, spicy noodles, or a Riesling drinker who wants a documented 0.0%.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

86/100

Standout

Wine · Riesling · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Spicy takeout, weeknight fish, or anyone who already drinks Dr.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

84/100

Wine · Riesling · 0.3% ABV · $20–$29

A cold Riesling when you want brightness and a little sweetness.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

84/100

Wine · Riesling · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

An easy glass when you want aromatic Riesling without weight.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

82/100

Wine · Riesling · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Fish, asparagus, warm-weather white-wine glass — well chilled.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Riesling · <0.25% ABV · $20–$29

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Riesling · 0.4% ABV · $20–$29

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Sauvignon Blanc 7

85/100

Standout

Wine · Sauvignon Blanc · 0.0% ABV

Anyone who wants fruit-forward, gently off-dry Sauvignon Blanc more…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

83/100

Wine · Sauvignon Blanc · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

A Sauvignon Blanc when grapefruit, pomelo, and a saline edge are the…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

83/100

Wine · Sauvignon Blanc · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

Well chilled, when you want Sauvignon citrus and a little grass rather…

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

80/100

Wine · Sauvignon Blanc · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

A clean, light Sauvignon Blanc for a casual glass.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

80/100

Wine · Sauvignon Blanc · 0.0% ABV · $30+

A cold, light white that ends cleanly.

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

80/100

Wine · Sauvignon Blanc · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Seafood, salads, and the Sauvignon Blanc drinker who wants Marlborough…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

75/100

Wine · Sauvignon Blanc · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

A cold, soft white.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Merlot 6

83/100

Wine · Merlot · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

Drinkers seeking a softer expression of Merlot, where ripe fruit and…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

82/100

Wine · Merlot · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

A dry red when the nose matters more than a long close.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

81/100

Wine · Merlot · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

A soft Merlot when fresh red fruit and a little toast are enough.

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Merlot · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Merlot · 0.2% ABV · $20–$29

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Pinot Noir 4

91/100

Standout

Wine · Pinot Noir · <0.5% ABV · $30+

Open it when you want a nonalcoholic red that can stand as Pinot Noir.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

89/100

Standout

Wine · Pinot Noir · <0.5% ABV · $30+

A Pinot Noir when the aroma and a long savory finish matter more than…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

84/100

Wine · Pinot Noir · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

A chilled red when you want dry structure and tart red fruit.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Grüner Veltliner 3

84/100

Wine · Grüner Veltliner · 0.3% ABV · $20–$29

A light Grüner for green apple, citrus, and a faint white pepper.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Grüner Veltliner · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Austria · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Grüner Veltliner · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Austria · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Cider 2

86/100

Standout

Cider · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

A sweet apple-and-pear cider when fine bubbles and acidity have to…

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

85/100

Standout

Cider · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

Grill, a solo tart pour, anyone bored of nonalcoholic wine's mid-palate.

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

Moscato 2

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Moscato · <0.5% ABV

France · Documented

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · Moscato · <0.5% ABV

France · Documented

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

Other bottles

89/100

Standout

Wine · 0.25% ABV · $30+

A light red when you want finesse, fresh acidity, and dark fruit that…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

89/100

Standout

Editor’s Pick

Oddbird

GSM

Wine · 0.0% ABV · $20–$29

Grilled vegetables, roasted mushrooms, a mild hard cheese — cool room…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

89/100

Standout

Cider · <0.5% ABV · $30+

A sparkling perry when pear and quince should last, and the sweetness…

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

88/100

Standout

Wine · 0.2% ABV · $30+

A red with actual weight, when dark berries, fresh acidity, and a…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

87/100

Standout

Wine · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

Seafood, goat cheese, a warm-evening aperitif — well chilled.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

87/100

Standout

Wine · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

A Verdejo when melon should linger and the glass should feel finished.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

84/100

Wine · Syrah · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

A dry, herbal red when structure matters more than weight.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

83/100

Wine · Tempranillo · <0.5% ABV · $30+

A restrained Tempranillo when dark berries, oak, and a dry savory…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

82/100

Wine · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

A red when you want dark fruit that still finishes a little dry.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

81/100

Wine · Albariño · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

Seafood, spicy food, and the Albariño drinker who wants the zero-proof…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

80/100

Wine · Pinot Grigio · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

An everyday white when lychee and citrus should stay fresh.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

80/100

Wine · Rivaner · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

A casual glass when you want fruit you can name and a little sweetness.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

79/100

Wine · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

A cold, simple white.

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

77/100

Wine · Cabernet Sauvignon · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

When you want Cabernet-shaped fruit without a heavy, tannic pour — and…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

74/100

Wine · Sémillon · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

A cold glass when you want a light, dry white.

Hybrid Vacuum distillation

53/100

Beer · Lager · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

When the only other option is tap water, and you still might pick the…

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Tasting pendingCataloged, not yet poured

Beer · IPA · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

United States · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

France · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · <0.5% ABV · $20–$29

Spain · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · 0.0% ABV · Under $20

Germany · Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation

Research recordCataloged, not yet poured

Wine · <0.5% ABV · Under $20

Documented

Dealcoholized Vacuum distillation