De-Alcoholized Wine — Not Grape Juice but a New Megatrend
Non-alcoholic wine has come a long way from the “bottled grape juice” that you once found on supermarket shelves. Today, we are on the verge of a megatrend in the de-alcoholized beverage industry.
Fact.MR estimates sales of non-alcoholic wine to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% to top a valuation of US$ 4.5 billion by the year 2031. This is primarily due to the increasing popularity of alcohol-free drinks and the growing demand from health-conscious consumers.
What is the process by which wine is de-alcoholized?
Unlike alcohol-free wine, this wine goes through the same fermentation process as real wine. The method of de-alcoholizing wine is then generally carried out in two stages. The first stage is removing the alcohol, which is done through distillation. The second stage is removing any residual sugar, which is done through a process called reverse osmosis.
Does de-alcoholized wine taste as good as ordinary wine?
Some people say that de-alcoholized wine does not taste as good as regular wine. In contrast, others claim that it has a very similar flavor. This likely depends on the particular brand of de-alcoholized wine being tasted. Personal preferences will vary from person to person.
De-alcoholized spirits are becoming popular as well.
In addition to wine, de-alcoholized spirits are also starting to pop up. These products appeal to those who want to enjoy the flavor of their favorite spirits without any unhealthy side effects.
I’ve researched some of the companies that are leading the market in non-alcoholic wine and spirits. This is not a complete list, but these are certainly companies to watch (and they do NOT include any affiliate links). If you’re not familiar with how much the market has moved on and how scientific the production process is these days, just check out a few of their websites:
Lyre’s Spirit Co. — This Australian company offers 13 premium crafted non-alcoholic spirits. A lyre is an Australian bird that is the best mimic in the world, and the company feels that it can produce a very realistic mimic of the equivalent alcoholic product.
“Many years in the making, Lyre’s exquisite range of lovingly crafted non-alcoholic spirits was borne from a quest to make the impossible possible — giving the freedom to drink your drink, your way. Not just provide an alternative to those who don’t wish to imbibe alcohol, but ensure everyone can enjoy the mirth and merriment of a soiree or shindig.
We craft our spirits to taste just like the classics they pay homage to. We source the finest all-natural essences, extracts, and distillates from the four corners of the globe.
At the risk of blowing our own bugle, this is quite simply the finest range of non-alcoholic classic spirits the world has ever seen.”
Curious Elixers — This US company is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. It uses adaptogens in its range of products to help the consumer relax. Adaptogens are the latest buzzword in the world of wellness. They are marketed as non-toxic plants that help the body resists stressors of all kind. Curious Elixer offers 7 different booze-free cocktails.
“Curious Elixirs are booze-free craft cocktails, infused with adaptogens to help you unwind. Our beverages are handmade with the best ingredients and no refined sugar.
We created Curious Elixirs because we believe non-alcoholic drinks should be unusually delicious, well-crafted, and good for bodies and souls. So we began a mission to serve up the world’s best booze-free craft cocktails.
And it seems we struck a chord: people from all walks of life joined our community. Some of us are sober, some of us just drink less alcohol in our quest to live our best lives. This is all to say that whoever you are and however you found us, Curious Elixirs was made with you in mind.”
Ritual Zero Proof — This US-based company is selling 4 non-alcoholic spirits — tequila, whisky, gin, and rum.
“ It took more than a year and hundreds of iterations to perfect our recipes.
We learned how to blend jambu and prickly ash, how to extract the essence of blue agave, reduce the oil in juniper and heighten the perfume of pine. We taste-tested vanilla from Madagascar against vanilla from China. We sought guidance from master chefs and held tasting sessions for Chicago’s best bartenders.
We weren’t interested in a glass of “something.” We’re not interested in new-age goop that defies explanation, or fancy spa water that bears no resemblance to liquor.
We weren’t satisfied until it tasted and smelled and felt like the real thing.”
Jukes Cordials is a UK-based company that offers 6 sophisticated and healthy non-alcoholic drinks based around organic apple cider vinegar at their core. They are made as an alternative to red, white, and rose wine.
“Matthew Jukes is a world-famous wine taster and writer, based in the UK, and he has worked in the wine trade for over 30 years.
Made from carefully developed recipes using all of his olfactory and sensory expertise, Matthew has created and blended his drinks in order to take your senses to an entirely new and soothing flavour destination. These non-alcoholic drinks show exquisite, complex, and aromatic characters.
Jukes are committed to providing great taste. Indulging in alcohol-free drinks should not mean compromising on flavour. Jukes strive for truly rounded and complex drinks, which can be the perfect solution when you choose not to drink alcohol. Jukes are committed to providing a healthy drink alternative, which is why their series are all fewer than 18kcal per serving.”
House of Saka is a California-based company offering 3 cannibis-infused beverages. a few Napa Valley companies have managed to bring THC wine products to market in the USA, despite legal hurdles and the fact that they’re not allowed to call it “wine.”
“House of Saka was founded in 2018 when cannabis industry insider, Cynthia Salarizadeh and wine industry veteran, Tracey Mason , came together with a mission to create the world’s first line of luxury, cannabis-infused products made by and for women.
Discovering a shared passion for wine, beauty products and the boundless properties of the sacred cannabis plant, the pair assembled an unparalleled group of powerful females from the both the cannabis and wine industries to help bring their mission to life and provide the foundation on which it could flourish.
Launched in October of 2019, House of Saka’s Vinfusions combine the magic of the Napa Valley with state-of-the-art infusion technology for a truly elevated cannabis experience.Sophisticated, social and simply delicious, House of Saka Vinfusions deliver on the promise for a luxury infused product made by and for women that exceed expectations and help bring cannabis occasions into the mainstream.”
Rebel Coast — Another California based company that makes cannibis infused beverages and selzers.
“We create cannabis-infused beverages for all occasions in life.
For our Sauvage and Pink Passion classic and sparkling varietals, we source grapes grown in beautiful, warm Sonoma, California, where they are infused with fast-acting THC. Likewise, our seltzers marry cannabis with sparkling water and natural fruit flavors for a deliciously drinkable cannabis experience with zero calories, carbs or sugar.
All Rebel Coast products are meticulously formulated with specific cannabis strains and a proprietary blend of cannabinoids, botanicals and flavors to create a refreshing taste and predictable effect. Our patented process and formula ensure fast-acting onset, usually within 15 minutes. And, of course, all of our products are tested at every stage to ensure safety, consistency and potency.”
Three Spirit Drinks — This company offers 3 non-alcoholic beverage products: The Livener, the Social Elixer and the Nightcap.
“After years spent in libraries, labs, bars and fields, we’ve created plant-based alternatives to alcohol that celebrate what you put into a drink, rather than what you take out.
Alchemy is a celebration of what goes into a drink rather than what is taken out. It’s at the heart of everything we do; from the plants we combine in our drinks, to the blending of minds and different expertise of the people who make them.”
Monday Distillery — An Australian based company producing non-alcohoic gins, rums, tequilas, whisky and an aperitif.
“We are a New Age Beverage Company revolutionising the way people look at having a night out with friends. By offering sophisticated, non-alcoholic, sugar-free options you can have a good time, love what you drink and love yourself the next day too.
It all started when Sam Manning found there weren’t many options when heading out with friends if you wanted to stay off the spirits (or wine). You either had to have a sickly sugar drink, or flat-flavoured sparkling water. This at best drew sideways glances from her friends, or at worst sly remarks about being a party pooper and questions about her pregnancy status. No!
Using her background in botanicals and beverages, she set out to develop something with all the emotional connection, taste and vibe of her favourite gin & tonic, without the messy effects of alcohol. Monday Distillery was born and soon the questions flipped from ‘why are you drinking that?’ to ‘oh, can I have a sip?’
It’s all non-alcoholic, sugar free and full of social graces. Stay in high spirits, keep a clear mind. Cheers to Monday.”
Conclusion
The trend to drink less alcohol is growing in popularity, with more and more people choosing to abstain from alcohol altogether or drink less. This is reflected in the increasing popularity of de-alcoholized wine and other alcohol-free drinks and the growing number of non-alcoholic bars popping up worldwide.
Non-alcoholic bars offer an excellent alternative for people who want to enjoy a night out without worrying about drinking alcohol. They also provide a safe space for people recovering from alcohol addiction or who just want to avoid drinking for health reasons.
So, if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to regular wine or just trying to cut down on your alcohol consumption, de-alcoholized wine is definitely worth a try. With its growing popularity, it’s likely that you’ll be able to find a brand that suits your taste and budget. So why not give it a go? You might be surprised at how good it can taste.
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