Is Wine Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 22, 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 brain development and cause permanent physical and cognitive problems. The CDC, ACOG, and NHS all 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 options)
- • Sparkling grape juice as a celebratory alternative
- • Mocktails made with fruit juices and sparkling water
- • Alcohol removed wines from brands like Fre or Stella Rosa Naturals
- • Check labels carefully - some 'dealcoholized' wines still contain trace alcohol
✗ What to Avoid
- • All regular wine including red, white, rosé, and sparkling varieties
- • Cooking wine - while some alcohol cooks off, significant amounts can remain
- • Fortified wines like sherry, marsala, and port (higher alcohol content)
- • Wine based cocktails and sangria
- • Dealcoholized wines that still contain 0.5% or more alcohol
- • Any amount of wine, even 'just one glass' - no safe threshold exists
Most Common Ingredients in Wine Products
We analyzed 295 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 295 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 87 of 295 products (29%)
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 20 of 295 products (7%)
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a common food preservative in processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses.
Found in 16 of 295 products (5%)
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 10 of 295 products (3%)
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 9 of 295 products (3%)
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 8 of 295 products (3%)
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a simple sugar found naturally in fruits and added to many processed foods and beverages as high fructose corn syrup. May program offspring for metabolic dysfunction when consumed in excess during pregnancy, with animal studies showing effects on insulin resistance, blood pressure, and neurodevelopment.
Found in 8 of 295 products (3%)
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 7 of 295 products (2%)
Types of Wine
Wine Products We've Analyzed
We graded 295 wine products for pregnancy safety. 5 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Wine Products
We found 5 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Mionetto Non Alcoholic Italy White Wine | Mionetto |
| 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 |
| A | Fre Alcohol Removed Red Blend | Sutter Home Fre |
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. Alcohol passes through the placenta to your baby and can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which includes physical abnormalities, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems that last a lifetime.
What are the risks of wine during pregnancy?
Wine during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), the leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Risks include facial abnormalities, growth problems, central nervous system damage, and cognitive impairments. There is no known safe amount - even light drinking has been associated with increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and preterm birth.
Can I have one glass of wine while pregnant?
No, even one glass of wine is not recommended during pregnancy. While some older studies suggested light drinking might be harmless, current medical consensus is that no amount of alcohol is proven safe. Since we cannot determine a safe threshold, and the potential consequences are severe and permanent, health authorities advise complete abstinence. The risk simply isn't worth it.
Is a glass of wine safe for a pregnant woman?
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. Alcohol can cause problems for the developing baby throughout pregnancy, including before a woman knows she is pregnant. If you drank before knowing you were pregnant, stop now and talk to your healthcare provider.
Is cooking with wine safe during pregnancy?
Cooking with wine requires caution during pregnancy. While heat does cause some alcohol to evaporate, studies show that 5-85% of alcohol can remain depending on cooking time and method. A dish simmered for 15 minutes retains about 40% of its alcohol. For complete safety, use alcohol free wine, broth, or grape juice as substitutes in recipes. If a dish contains wine that wasn't cooked long enough, it's best to avoid it.
What can I drink instead of wine while pregnant?
There are many satisfying alternatives to wine during pregnancy. Non alcoholic wines with 0.0% ABV (like Fre Alcohol Removed or Stella Rosa Naturals) offer a similar taste experience. Sparkling grape juice works well for celebrations. You can also enjoy mocktails made with fruit juices, herbs, and sparkling water. Kombucha (pasteurized, low sugar varieties) and fancy sparkling waters with fruit can also feel special.
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.
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://motherfigure.com/safe skincare/sodium benzoate/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9003278/
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/benzodiazepine/can benzodiazepines be used during pregnancy
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11921639/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3830752/
- https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1003945
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3114665/
- https://turkishneurosurgery.org.tr/pdf.php?id=1502
- https://www.thebump.com/a/makeup ingredients avoid during pregnancy
