Craving a non-alcoholic wine that packs a flavor punch? Look no further!
Recent statistics reveal a surge in demand for beverages without the booze, with retailers and restaurants jumping on the bandwagon. The German Wine Institute (DWI) reports a whopping 100% increase in sales of non-alcoholic wines, affectionately known as "de-alcoholized," in 2023 alone. And it's not just the wine world getting in on the action – the trend has legs!
Lukas Kloskowski, co-owner of "Viniculture" – Berlin's fearless wine shop – has witnessed the wave firsthand. Kloskowski describes the "low and no" movement as a collection of less boozy and alcohol-free beverages, explaining how even "Viniculture's" modest section for alternative options has seen impressive growth.
But finding a non-alcoholic wine that won't make you miss the real thing can be tricky. Kloskowski, after weeks of rigorous research, discovered the pitfalls many manufacturers face when attempting to create a flavorful alternative – bottling vinegar, sugar, and synthetic astringency.
However, a few gems shone amid the sea of mediocrity. Kloskowski stumbled upon a delicious quince juice from the Franconian Winery of Stefan Vetter, which retails for a not-so-inexpensive €12, but delivers an extraordinary taste experience. This juice has an exquisite balance of fruit sugars, acids, and tannins, creating a symphony of flavors that leaves a lingering aftertaste on your taste buds.
But Kloskowski's journey didn't stop there. His quest led him to Peter van Nahmen's fruit cellar on the Lower Rhine, Jörg Geiger's fruit presses in the Swabian Alps, and Klaar Fruit Ferments on the Schaalsee. Each producer crafted unique, delightful alternatives that delighted his taste buds.
Peter van Nahmen's "single-varietal" juices, like those derived from Riesling and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) grapes, are especially praised for their enchanting sweetness – albeit an acquired taste. Van Nahmen's wild plum juice from northern Italy, which costs only €8, is a refreshing pairing for lamb, beef, wild game, and mushrooms.
The blends concocted by Klaar Fruit Ferments, such as their "Proxy Rot," an alcohol-free red wine alternative, are velvety and packed with bitterness. This makes it a perfect food companion, even rivaling high-end wines in price.
Geiger's carbonated fruit juices are more wallet-friendly and boast complex flavor profiles due to their herbal and spicy components. His Prisecco Nr. 11, for example, combines unripe Boskop pear and oak leaves, while Aecht Bitter showcases green hunting pear and wormwood, making them stellar choices for aperitifs and meal pairings.
So, the next time you find yourself looking for a delightful, non-alcoholic beverage to sip on, remember that there's a world of flavorful options out there, waiting for you to discover. And who knows, you might just stumble upon the next big thing in the world of alternative wine!
