Doing a wine tasting sans the buzz, huh? Let's see if there's any non-alcoholic wine gold to be found!
Well, ten years ago, you'd've looked like a unicorn in a cornfield, trying to find a palatable alcohol-free wine. But times are a-changin', and the alcohol-free beverage scene is blowing up like a keg at a frat party, thanks to a growing demand for less boozy options.
According to the German Wine Institute (DWI), the sale of de-alcoholized wines jumped almost 30% in 2023. And that's not just in Germany - it's an international trend, baby! So, don't be afraid to ditch the Sauvignon for a zero-proof quaff.
Lukas Kloskowski, co-owner of the famed "Viniculture" wine shop in Berlin, confirms the massive demand for less boozy options. He calls it the "low and no" category – a term that's become the ubiquitous name for these reduced and alcohol-free drinks.
Now, for the good stuff! After sifting through a mountain of fizzies, vinegar, and sugar solutions, we stumbled upon an unexpected delight: quince juice by Franconian winemaker Stefan Vetter. With a whopping 12-euro price tag, it's pricey, but it's worth every penny.
Here's the lowdown on this delightful, non-alcoholic gem:
- It's like a well-balanced wine, with fruit sugar, acid, and tannins playing nicely together.
- The aroma is intense and lively, filling your mouth with a stimulating presence.
- The aftertaste is memorable and will leave you thirsting for more.
So, why quince juice, you ask? It's like the Marilyn Monroe of fruit juices – it has it all: a playful fruitiness, a tantalizing tartness, and a sultry sweetness that'll have you swooning like a love-struck teen in a John Hughes movie.
But quince juice ain't the only non-alcoholic wine contender worth checking out. Peter Van Nahmen's fruit cellars also serve up some unforgettable, alcohol-free options. Take, for instance, his Wild Plum from Piedmont – a fruity, less sweet, and surprisingly expensive beauty that's as beloved in high-end circles as your BFF's mom's Chardonnay at Thanksgiving.
So if you're looking to ditch the buzz while still enjoying the delightful flavors of wine, don't fret – there's plenty of non-alcoholic, adult-worthy options out there. It might take some experimenting, but trust us – it's worth the hunt. Sip, swirl, and savor!
