Is Wine Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
No - wine is not safe during pregnancy. Medical experts agree there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, as it can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) with lifelong consequences.
Alcohol crosses the placenta and reaches your baby, who cannot process it the way adults can. Even small amounts of wine can interfere with fetal development, particularly brain development. The CDC, NHS, and major medical organizations worldwide recommend complete abstinence from alcohol throughout pregnancy.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Non alcoholic wines labeled 0.0% ABV (truly alcohol free)
- • Sparkling grape juice as a celebratory alternative
- • Mocktails made with fruit juices and sparkling water
- • Dealcoholized wines from brands like Stella Rosa Naturals or Fre
- • Check labels carefully - some 'non alcoholic' products contain up to 0.5% alcohol
✗ What to Avoid
- • All regular wine including red, white, rosé, and sparkling varieties
- • Cooking wine - still contains significant alcohol that may not fully cook off
- • Fortified wines like sherry, port, and marsala
- • Wine coolers and wine based cocktails
- • 'Low alcohol' wines - any alcohol content poses risk
- • Assuming small amounts or 'just one glass' is safe
Most Common Ingredients in Wine Products
We analyzed 169 wine products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Wine
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 169 wine products we analyzed.
wine
AVOID
Wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 48 of 169 products (28%)
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 11 of 169 products (7%)
red wine
AVOID
Red wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 7 of 169 products (4%)
alcohol
AVOID
Alcohol is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 4 of 169 products (2%)
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 4 of 169 products (2%)
sherry wine
AVOID
Sherry wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 4 of 169 products (2%)
white wine
AVOID
White wine is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 4 of 169 products (2%)
neutral spirits
AVOID
Neutral spirits is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 3 of 169 products (2%)
Types of Wine
Wine Products We've Analyzed
We graded 169 wine products for pregnancy safety. 3 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Wine Products
We found 3 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Stella Rosa Naturals Black Non Alcoholic Wine 750Ml | Stella Rosa |
| A | Alcohol Free Red Wine 30 Mg | Ibg Indiana Botanic Gardens |
| A | Serena Mode 0.0 Sauvignon Blanc | Miguel Torres Chile |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women drink wine?
No, pregnant women should not drink wine. All major health organizations including the CDC, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and NHS recommend avoiding alcohol entirely during pregnancy. There is no established safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and wine carries the same risks as any other alcoholic beverage. The alcohol in wine crosses the placenta and can affect your baby's developing brain and organs.
What are the risks of wine during pregnancy?
Drinking wine during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which includes a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and cognitive problems. Risks include facial abnormalities, growth problems, learning disabilities, behavioral issues, and developmental delays. The risk exists throughout pregnancy, not just in the first trimester. Because alcohol passes directly to the baby through the placenta and the fetus cannot metabolize it effectively, even moderate drinking can cause harm.
Can I have one glass of wine while pregnant?
Medical experts recommend not having any wine while pregnant, including just one glass. While some older studies suggested light drinking might be okay, current medical consensus is that no amount of alcohol has been proven safe during pregnancy. The risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder exists at any level of consumption, and since there's no way to know what amount might affect your specific pregnancy, the safest choice is to avoid wine entirely.
Is a glass of wine safe for a pregnant woman?
No, a glass of wine is not considered safe for pregnant women. The CDC states clearly that there is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. While you may hear anecdotes about women who drank during pregnancy without apparent problems, alcohol affects each pregnancy differently and the damage may not be immediately visible. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders can manifest as learning difficulties and behavioral problems that only become apparent as the child grows.
Does cooking with wine remove the alcohol?
Cooking with wine does not fully remove the alcohol. Studies show that depending on cooking method and time, anywhere from 4% to 85% of the alcohol can remain in the finished dish. A quick flambé retains about 75% of alcohol, while even dishes simmered for 2 hours retain about 5-10%. For pregnant women, the safest approach is to avoid cooking wine entirely or use alcohol free alternatives like grape juice, broth, or vinegar depending on the recipe.
What can I drink instead of wine while pregnant?
There are many satisfying alternatives to wine during pregnancy. Truly alcohol free wines (0.0% ABV) from brands like Stella Rosa Naturals provide a similar experience without risk. Sparkling grape juice offers the celebratory feel of champagne. You can also enjoy mocktails made with fruit juices, herbs, and sparkling water. When choosing non alcoholic wines, check labels carefully as some products labeled 'non alcoholic' may contain up to 0.5% alcohol - look specifically for 0.0% or 'alcohol free' designations.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
People Also Checked
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol pregnancy/about/index.html
- https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping well/drinking alcohol while pregnant/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7061927/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7807528/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_alcohol_spectrum_disorder
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3297711/
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol/risks effects dangers/pregnancy
- https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF Guide/Drinking Alcohol in Pregnancy Fetal Alcohol Effects-093.aspx
- https://www.nature.com/articles/pr200789
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases conditions/fetal alcohol syndrome/symptoms causes/syc-20352901
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15677-fetal alcohol syndrome
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11921639/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26014016/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9003278/
- https://motherfigure.com/safe skincare/sodium benzoate/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bdrb.20187
- https://millionmarker.com/pages/pregnancy fertility chemical sodium benzoate
- https://turkishneurosurgery.org.tr/pdf.php?id=1502
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3114665/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006291X18312488
