While mindful drinking trends are certainly influencing demand, I often look at this category from a different and often overlooked perspective: the people who cannot drink alcohol at all. Health conditions, medication, or medical advice may rule alcohol out completely, yet these consumers still want the same flavour experience, the same sense of occasion, and yes, they are often willing to pay the same price for a product that delivers on quality.
For me, no & low alcohol drinks fall into two camps: those that aim to taste exactly like their alcoholic counterparts; and those that offer an entirely new, compelling flavour experience.
Bolle's winemaker Roberto Vanin looks to make as good a quality no alcohol wine as is currently possible
The first is notoriously difficult to achieve. Which is why a recent masterclass with Bolle, the first formal tasting of the range led by Sarah Abbott MW, alongside chief executive Gary Read and winemaker Roberto Vanin (a chemist by training, notably the inventor of Vanish), was so striking.
Quite simply, Bolle is one of the most accomplished non-alcoholic wines I’ve tasted.
We explored four expressions: Chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs, rosé, and the newly released Grand Reserve Blanc de Blancs.
All wines undergo Bolle’s (patent pending) double-fermentation process before being de-alcoholised, a technical approach that immediately sets the brand apart.
With an Italian name meaning “bubbles,” Chardonnay sourced from Spain, and production in an undisclosed German winery, Bolle feels like a truly pan-European project and the wines reflect that level of ambition.
Vanin took a refreshing approach during the masterclass. Instead of asking what we liked, he encouraged us to focus on what we didn’t like. It immediately shifted the mindset in the room. Instead of searching for excellence, we were searching for flaws and in this case, there was very little to find.
The aromatics were exactly what you would hope for from sparkling wine. The Blanc de Blancs was bright, zesty and lively; the rosé carried charming red-fruited notes that reminded me of summer strudel; and the Grand Reserve held its flavour with impressive length and definition. The mouthfeel was structured, the bubbles persistent, and the overall impression one of real craftsmanship.
Then there’s the price point, aligned with what you’d expect to pay for a quality sparkling wine.
Some may question whether a non-alcoholic wine should command a similar price, but the answer, frankly, is yes. Time, expertise, technology, quality grapes, and meticulous production do not cost less simply because the final product contains no alcohol.
Shoulder to shoulder
Bolle believes it has the quality and has been made with the same care as a standard wine
If anything, creating a no-alcohol sparkling wine that genuinely stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its alcoholic counterpart requires even more innovation.
Whether a person chooses not to drink alcohol or simply cannot, why shouldn’t they have access to exceptional quality and a satisfying glass in hand?
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic sparkling wine that truly behaves like “the real thing,” Bolle should be at the top of your list.
* You can find out more about Bolle here.
