New Non-Alcoholic Wine Alternatives
Over the past few months, we have been working hard to source new exciting non-alcoholic drinks to add to our range. It has become obvious over the past few years that consumers are drinking lower alcohol wines and sometimes even opting for the non-alcoholic alternative. So, in response, we have brought on two new producers that offer non-alcoholic wine alternatives.
The low and no alcohol alternative drinks took off first in the beer sector. This is shown in the number of low or no alcohol beers we currently stock. But recently we have been seeing an increased interest from customers for low or no alcohol alternatives for wines. Customers that may prefer to drink wine normally, want a similar product that is alcohol free to drink. Whether that be for whatever reason, such as driving, health or just personal preference. Fortunately, the number of producers making non-alcoholic wines has increased in response to this demand.
Thomson & Scott first burst onto the scene in 2019, after being founded by Amanda Thomson. She understood the demand for non-alcoholic alternatives so started working hard to produce premium sparkling and still de-alcoholised wines that were just as high in quality as other alcoholic wines. Currently from Thomson & Scott we stock three of their non-alcoholic wines: Sparkling Chardonnay, Sparkling Rose, and the De-Alcoholised Rouge. Ranging in price from £9.50 up to £11.00, these are a very affordable alternative to buy. And because the wines are made in the normal process with the alcohol being removed only at the end of the process, I think many would be hard pushed to detect the difference from similar alcoholic wines.
REAL Sparkling Tea began in early 2016, by founder David Begg. Following his decisions to stop drinking he found that he missed pairing food and wine together, so began putting together a drink that could be consumed as a non-alcohol wine alternative. The process of making sparkling tea is not far different to that of making wine. The tea is fermented as the grapes would be with yeast, but the result is a non-alcoholic sparkling drink, that is perfect for all occasions. Whilst at the London Wine Fair 2022, I was touring around the Low & No stalls and came across both of these producers. I tasted their products and was pleasantly surprised at the high quality of both producers’ drinks. As someone that has been frustrated by the small number of alcohol-free alternative drinks available on menus when I have been out. I understand the importance of providing a drink that makes someone feel included at meals or parties, whether they are drinking alcohol or not. Both of these producers’ drinks are sophisticated and the perfect alternatives for alcohol-free drinking, they can be consumed in the same way as their alcoholic counterparts.
The most recent arrivals from REAL Sparkling Tea are: Dry Dragon and Royal Flush. Both drinks are priced at £9.00. Dry Dragon is light and citrusy with notes of sweet lemons and grapefruit. Dry and fresh, it is a perfectly light sparkling to be drunk at any time of day. Pair with shellfish, oysters, and green vegetables such as broccoli or asparagus, green salads, and fruit. Royal Flush is richly fragrant, fresh, and floral. Nothing is added, but the tea alone develops rich notes of rhubarb, white peach, and a touch of blackcurrant on the nose. A delicate floral acidity with a relatively short finish makes Royal Flush fresh and bright with fruit and spice flavours rounding out the acidity. Perfect with white fish, white meat and cream sauces or anything with umami notes. If you are looking for something new to try, give these two drinks a go, you definitely won’t be disappointed.
Non-Alcoholic Wine Alternatives
