Non-Alcoholic beer is having a renaissance. Booze-free cocktails are all the rage. But wine, that most rarefied of libations, has been a little slower to the sober-curious party. Making a good-tasting, zero-proof wine has been technically harder to pull off, and “there’s a fair amount of bias against nonalcoholic wines from wine purists.But a slew of entrepreneurs think nonalcoholic wine is poised for an explosion, thanks to improvements in technology for “de-alcoholized” wine and a growing interest in drinks that taste and feel grown up but aren’t boozy.Wine is starting to catch up, and there are major dollars moving toward this category and 2022 was a breakthrough year for nonalcoholic wines.
“Winemakers are jumping on the sober bandwagon, helped along by young drinkers, climate change and something called a ‘spinning cone”
In France – and, to a lesser extent, in Australia – there is a clear dichotomy between the established, historic no-alcohol category, dominated by inexpensive brands and private label products, and emergent new-generation products at significantly higher price points.“Younger legal-drinking aged consumers in particular are choosing primarily new-generation no-alcohol brands not because they lack alcohol, but because of what they represent: quality ingredients, new sensory experiences and good taste.” In Australia, non-alcoholic “whisky-like” product Claytons was popular in the 1980s – and now this latent trend is re-emerging.“Demand for non-alcoholic spirits is strong with consumers who want to be part of the social drinking ritual without the alcoholic element.
Better for you
No-alcohol products with the perception of being ‘better for you’ are innovating through the use of adaptogens, probiotics, antioxidants, nootropics and other naturally sourced ingredients. One of such brands, Plus & Minus, is a contemporary range of wines developed to be richer in antioxidants, minus the alcohol. That’s Plus & Minus, a revolutionary wine style that aims to give those that still want a glass of quality wine when they don’t actually feel like alcohol. Sourced from South Australia, the range includes a Prosecco, Blanc de Blancs, Pinot Grigio, Rose, Pinot Noir and a Shiraz. The Plus & Minus range of wines have been uniquely hand-crafted using only high-quality grapes from premium, dry-grown South Australian vineyards. This ensures the resultant wines remain vibrant and full-flavored once the process of removing the alcohol has been completed. These are wines that will appeal to consumers aiming to support healthier lifestyle choices.
Tasting the Plus and Minus Premium Chardonnay 2022
The Premium range from Plus & Minus has been made with grapes sourced from premium vineyards in iconic South Australian wine regions. A pale yellow in color, this non-alcoholic Chardonnay features aromas of stone fruit, melon and crisp apple along with notes of nutty integrated oak. The Chardonnay is bursting with flavor, it’s creamy on the palate and has a touch of acidity on the finish. This wine is also vegan, low sugar and low calorie, and like all the wine in the Plus & Minus collection, this Chardonnay has been made with added grape skin extract for extra antioxidants.
