Best Probiotic Wine (3 Options For Alcohol Drinkers)

Did you know that researchers have isolated and identified eleven different strains of lactic acid bacteria found in the initial stages of wine fermentation? 

This is interesting because it indicates that since bacteria are used in winemaking, it may retain some of the probiotic goodness until completion of the process.

Considering this, I have compiled a few probiotic wine recommendations that may suit your individual preferences.

Here’s a quick list of my 3 Top Picks:

But since there is a whole world of different wine options out there, I have also assembled a brief guide that will help you select the best probiotic wine for yourself.

So, cheers to finding the perfect bottle – one that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also provides probiotic benefits.

How I Chose The 3 Best Probiotic Wines:

In addition to the taste and price, the alcoholic content of the wine you are buying is extremely crucial for determining the wine’s probiotic potential.

So, here is how you can use your preferences to choose the best probiotic wine to take home.

1. Price Tag

You can purchase wines for as less as $4, but if you are in the mood to splurge on an expensive bottle, then some wines can even cost you as high as $80,000.

There are multiple factors that enhance the quality of the wine and hence raise its price.

For instance, the oak barrel in which the wines are stored contributes delicate aromas to the wines, so it is an important price determiner. 

Next, the grapes picked from vineyards on hilly ground or certain topical regions contribute specific tastes and quality to the drink which adds cost value to the bottle.

Similarly, certain vintage wines ask for more bucks because, in those specific years that are mentioned on the bottle, the natural conditions like sunlight and rain were ideal for harvesting the grape wines.

Nonetheless, you don’t have to break the bank to get a sip of your favorite wine because there will always be some affordable yet high-quality options out there. 

Looking for ideas? Fret not because in the next section, I have included a few options between the $14 to $25 range.

And hey, just because a wine has a hefty price tag doesn’t mean you’re automatically going to love it. So, always prioritize your personal preferences over the cost.

2. Preferred Taste 

Wines are generally characterized to have a ‘sweet’, ‘semi-sweet’, or ‘bitter’ taste (attributed to dry wines).

Apart from that, you may also have a specific liking for the body of the wine which is defined by the thickness, texture, weight, and flavor intensity.

In this regard, a light-bodied wine will have a smooth and feather-light mouth feel, whereas a strong-bodied wine will feel viscous and heavy and have a persistent taste.

Therefore, I have to remind you again that always let your preference define your purchase. 

After all, what’s the point of using wine for its probiotic benefits instead of supplements if you don’t even enjoy drinking it? 

3. Alcohol Content

According to Alcohol.org, the alcohol by volume (ABV) of the standard serving size (5 ounces) of wine usually falls in the range of 11% to 13%. 

However, it’s important to note that the average alcoholic content of white wines falls at 10%.

Still, some white wines may contain as little as 5% to 7% percent alcohol, while others such as rice wine also known as ‘sake’ can pack a much stronger punch with an ABV as high as 20%.

Referring to the alcohol content of wine is important because the higher it is, the lower will be the wine’s pH.

Consequently, an acidic pH can make the survival of most good bacterial or yeast strains difficult but the lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus species (L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. fermentum) may survive.

If you want to know more about the probiotic strains that different kinds of wines harbor, then head on to my detailed blog about it here.

Still, in any case, you can’t swap wines for probiotic supplements because their probiotic CFUs are not defined, and they contain health-damaging stuff like sugar and alcohol.

Now that you already know what to look for in a probiotic wine, head down to see how my top 3 picks align with this buying guide.

3 Best Probiotic Wines

1. Union Wine Company Underwood 2021 Pinot Noir (Best For Heart Health Conscious Individuals)

CFU: N/A

Dosage: N/A

Probiotics Strains/Strains: N/A

Form/Type: Liquid

Certifications: It is ‘live certified stainable’. 

Storage: Wines don’t go bad when stored at room temperature, but they should preferably be stored in the fridge because they are best served cold. Plus, storing at warm temperatures for extended periods may cause premature aging and cause degradation of flavors.

Cost: You can purchase a single bottle of this product for $14. Alternatively, you can enjoy a 10% discount if you opt to buy a case of 12 bottles online.

It is a red wine with a moderate alcohol content that can be relished at any time of the day or week and is considered the best for heart health as compared to its counterparts.

This is justified by scientific findings that suggest that pinot noir wine contains resveratrol and polyphenols that lower bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of stroke.

It is considered beneficial for boosting brain function, clearing out cancer cells, and increasing insulin sensitivity.

Most importantly, the probiotic potential of these wines is also attributed to these antioxidants because they enhance the populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genus in the gut.

Pros: 

• Dry but light-bodied wine.
• Vegan and gluten-free.
• Contains raspberry, cocoa nib, and vanilla bean taste notes.
• Has good tannin content.
• Has a quality of 90 points out of 100 compared to other wines.
• Orders made on Monday to Wednesday before 3 pm on the official website are shipped the same day.
• Has a 13% alcohol volume.
• Offers 10% off on the purchase of a case.
• Certain online stores offer 24-hour shipping and same-day pickup.
• Wine aging is done in 15% new French oak.
• The grapes for its production are collected from the Oregan vineyards.
• Available on the official website, online stores, merchandise retailers as well as walk-in bars.

Cons: 

• No policy of free delivery.
• Orders made after 3 pm on Wednesday to Sunday on the official website will be shipped the following Monday.

Where to buy: 

• You can order it from the official website for $14.
• Or, you can buy it from online stores like the Amazon store at different prices. For example, at WineMadeEasy.com it is $13.99, at Shawn Fine Wine & Spirits for $15.99, at the Wine Buyer for $11.99, and at PJ Wine for $11.97.
• You can also visit your nearest Target store to get your hands on it. 
• Or you can walk into your local bar, like Station Plaza Wine, to order a drink for yourself.

2. Justin Wine 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Best When Avoiding Teeth Staining)

CFU: N/A

Dosage: N/A

Probiotics Strains/Strains: N/A

Form/Type: Liquid

Certifications: none

Storage: It won’t get spoiled even if stored on a kitchen shelf but still, store it in a refrigerator so that you can toss yourself a chilled glass of wine whenever you want.

Cost: You can purchase a single bottle at a retail price of $30 but you can save $5 from this price by joining the wine society.

This red wine pairs perfectly with grilled dishes, steaks, and a variety of other foods.

Plus, unlike in the case of most other wines, you don’t have to worry about your teeth getting stained when you are savoring the flavors of this wine.

The best part about Justin wine Cabernet Sauvignon is that it utilizes the UV-43 yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae bayanus strain), which is the most effective for fast fermentation of high fructose mature grapes while contributing a probiotic potential to the wine.

Moreover, it has a tolerance for high alcohol (up to 17%) and temperature ranges (55°F to 95°F) which gives a neutral sensory effect and imparts a cherry berry aroma to the finished wine.

Additionally, like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon contains abundant tannins and polyphenols, which can help support gut function, alleviate inflammation, and promote a diverse gut microbiome.

Pros: 

• Dry wine and has a medium-full body.
• Has good tannin content.
• Has 15% alcohol.
• Vegan.
• Has flavors of ripe fruit, berries, spice, dried flowers, and camphor, and has oaky notes.
• The barrel is aged for 14 months in 25% new American oak.
• Utilizes the UV-43 yeast.
• The grapes are handpicked from Passo Robles.
• It is available on the official website, online stores, local bars as well as physical stores.
• Certain reviewers have given it 90 quality points out of 100.

Cons: 

• Contains sulfites.
• No concession on shipping charges.

Where to buy: 

• You can order it from the official website at a retail price of $30 or discounted price (in the case of a wine society membership) of $25.
• It is also available on online stores like Amazon for different rates. For example, at Red neck wine company it is available for $21.97, and at Hitime Wine it is for $27.99.
• You can also buy it from physical stores like Target.
• Or, simply order it at a local bar like Station Plaza Wine.

3. Catena Malbec 2019 (Best For Those Who Are Inclined Towards Chocolaty Tastes)

CFU: N/A

Dosage: N/A

Probiotics Strains/Strains: N/A

Form/Type: Liquid

Certifications: none

Storage: It is best to store the Malbec at 12-15°C (55°–59°F). In simple words, the temperature of a wine cellar, wine fridge, or cabinet will more or less be within this range. And remember that it is ideally served at 16-18° C.

Cost: The average price of a 2019 Catena Malbec is $25.

This red wine can go well with any cuisine because of its soft velvety mouthfeel and the berry and grape flavor.

It is unique because, in the initial steps, it is macerated at a temperature as low as 8.8° C for 5 days to extract the aromas.

In this regard, research suggests that maceration at lower temperatures can help preserve the wine’s phenolic compounds, which act as prebiotics for the gut microbiota and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions.

This also explains why the antioxidant content of Malbec wine is 2 times higher than that of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Further ahead in the next steps, the wine is fermented with wild yeasts for up to 13 months, which infuses the probiotic goodness in it.

Pros: 

• Full-bodied, dry red wine.
• The alcohol content is 13.5 %.
• Has chocolatey and earthy taste tones as well as tastes of black and blueberries.
• Has rich tannin content.
• It uses grapes from three high Mountain estate vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina, namely, Lunlunta, El Cepillo, and from Gualtallary.
• Some reviewers give it 92 quality points out of 100.
• The wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months.
• They may age well for 10 to 20 years.

Cons: 

• It has an acidic pH of 3.65.
• It is not available on the official website.
• There is no policy of concession on delivery charges.

Where to buy: 

• You may buy it from Amazon or other online stores for varying prices. For instance, at Vivino it is available for $17.99, and at Cost plus liquors is $29.99.
• Or, you can walk into your nearest bar and order a bottle from there, for instance, at Calvert Woodley, it may be available for $18.49

FAQs

What wine is best for gut bacteria?

Different kinds of red and white wines have varying benefits for the gut. 

Nonetheless, those that have a lower ethanolic content, high tannin content, and moderate acidity will better support gut health because they will help to introduce a richer probiotic diversity in the gut and reduce inflammation.

Some examples of such wines are Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.

Is wine good as a probiotic?

Although wines may contain some probiotic content, they cannot match the effectiveness of probiotic supplements. 

The main reason for this is that probiotic supplement manufacturers offer specific strains of probiotics and aim to deliver their optimal pre-defined CFUs to the intestines and colon by encapsulating them in capsules, which protect them during storage and in the stomach. 

In contrast, wines cannot provide targeted probiotic benefits like this.

Which red wine is best for gut health?

Only one red wine cannot be singled out as the best red wine for gut health, still, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec are two options that have considerable benefits.

Does wine affect probiotics?

Yes, some wines may make the stomach environment too acidic for certain probiotic strains to survive.

Can you drink wine while taking probiotics?

Yes, you may drink wine while taking probiotics as it does not pose health risks, but the potential of the probiotic supplements may get compromised. 

The reason is that wines may make the stomach environment more acidic and if the probiotic strains in the supplements are not delivered under adequate protection, then they might lose viability.