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Eight great alcohol-free wines
Having held db’s annual Low and No Alcohol Wine Masters last month, we bring you the top performers from the competition, starting with sparkling and ending with a set of still whites and reds that taste similar to the real thing.
ODDBIRD SPARKLING ROSÉ
- Producer: Oddbird
- Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
- Country: France
- Vintage: NV
- Grape variety: 100% Grenache
- ABV: 0%
- Residual sugar: 4g/l
- Approx. retail price: £15
- Medal: Gold
High-end and minimalist, Oddbird is a no-alcohol wine brand with pared-back packaging that aims to look and taste similar to a full-strength alternative. Founded 10 years ago, the range is now fairly extensive, but it was a sparkling rosé made from Grenache that picked up a Gold in this year ’s competition. Mouth-filling and pleasing to sip, the 0% wine is surprisingly wine-like, with notes of strawberry jam balanced by a dry, fresh, green-apple bite and a cleansing stream of fine bubbles. (Patrick Schmitt MW)
NOT GUILTY SPARKLING ROSÉ NV
- Producer: Australian Vintage
- Region: Southeastern Australia
- Country: Australia
- Grape varieties: 90% Prosecco, 6% Colombard, 4% Semillon
- ABV: 0.5%
- Residual sugar: 42g/l
- Vintage: NV
- Approx. retail price: £9
- Medal: Gold
A medium salmon-pink colour, the wine is medium-sweet (42g/l residual sugar), with plenty of red berry fruit and quite high acidity balancing the sweetness. Light-bodied with a brittle mousse texture, this is an easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing aperitif that works very nicely with smoked salmon canapés or gently smoked mackerel paté. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)
TEMPUS TWO ZERO PINOT GRIGIO
- Producer: Australian Vintage
- Region: South Australia
- Country: Australia
- Grape varieties: 91% Pinot Grigio, 5% Colombard, 4% Semillon
- ABV: 0.5%
- Residual sugar: 34g/l
- Vintage: NV
- Approx. retail price: £6
- Medal: Gold
Judging by this Zero expression from Tempus Two, it appears that the Australian wine producer has mastered how to make an appealing Pinot Grigio without any alcohol. Among the layers of flavour are notes of juicy pear and ripe apple, with some sweet melon and fresh citrus too, including a zesty, lime-like note on the finish. And, with some sweetness, the 0.5% wine doesn’t taste hard or thin, but fruity and light. (Patrick Schmitt MW)
EDENVALE EXPEDITION SERIES VERDEJO SAUVIGNON BLANC
- Producer: Edenvale
- Region: Multi-regional Spain
- Country: Spain
- Grape varieties: 70% Verdejo, 30% Sauvignon Blanc
- ABV: Less than 0.5%
- Residual sugar: 35g/l
- Vintage: NV
- Approx. retail price: £7
- Medal: Gold
Edenvale, a no- and low-alcohol Australian producer based in New South Wales, scours the globe for interesting grapes and blends. This Expedition Series white is produced in Spain from local Verdejo, augmented by Sauvignon Blanc. Pale lemon-yellow in hue, this light-bodied wine shows yellow fruits and crisp acidity, balancing the medium sweetness level (35g/l residual sugar). A good summer picnic match for coronation chicken, the wine will also work with Chinese New Year dim sum. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)
EDENVALE NV SAUVIGNON BLANC
- Producer: Edenvale
- Region: Southeastern Australia
- Country: Australia
- Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- ABV: Less than 0.5%
- Residual sugar: 36g/l
- Vintage: NV
- Approx. retail price: £6
- Medal: Gold
Edenvale produces this mediumdry Sauvignon Blanc from locallysourced grapes in Southeastern Australia. Pale lemon-green in colour, this light-bodied wine has ripe Sauvignon Blanc character with mango, passion fruit and white peach flavours, balanced by crisp acidity. With fair length of finish, this is a juicy drink to match roast chicken, or pork with apricots and cream. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)
CHAVIN ZÉRO CHARDONNAY
- Producer: Pierre Chavin
- Region: Vin de France
- Country: France
- Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
- ABV: 0.5%
- Residual sugar: 40g/l
- Vintage: NV
- Approx. retail price: £10
- Medal: Gold
Based in Béziers in the South of France, Chavin is an innovative producer of noand low-alcohol wines, and soft drink alternatives. This combination of Chardonnay grapes and a little fruit wine has a pale lemon colour and plenty of mandarin, peach, mango and golden apple flavour, with a gentle creamy undertone. Light in body, the palate is medium-dry with grippy acidity to balance. Azesty aperitif, or great with a tuna salad. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)
JACOB’S CREEK UNVINED SHIRAZ 2022
- Producer: Jacob’s Creek
- Region: Australia
- Country: Australia
- Grape variety: 100% Shiraz
- ABV: 0.5%
- Residual sugar: 55.7g/l
- Vintage: 2022
- Approx. retail price: £7
- Medal: Gold
Jacob’s Creek are making a really good effort with no- and low-alcohol red wines. Admittedly, much like the entry-level Shiraz-Cabernet blend, this wine shows a bit of sweetness, but not so much as to be intrusive. Deep ruby in colour, with plenty of blackberry and pepper spice, the wine has well-defined, vibrant flavours. Crisp acidity and silky tannin texture support the palate. A juicy drink that will be perfect while overlooking the Sydney surf. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)
TIPTOP NV
- Producer: Vignobles Raguenot/Château de Tourtes
- Region: Blaye, Bordeaux
- Country: France
- Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
- ABV: 0.5%
- Residual sugar: 25g/l
- Vintage: NV
- Approx. retail price: £15
- Medal: Gold
From the Blaye-based Château de Tourtes comes this rather delectable Merlot-dominated red. Medium ruby in colour, the wine is pretty, perfumed with red berry fruit and an overlay of crushed rose petals. The palate tastes dryish with a hint of spritz giving added texture. Fresh acidity and smooth tannins support the dark plum and strawberry flavours. A very nicely constructed non-alcoholic wine that tastes well with Texas chilli or beef burritos. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)
About the competition
With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Low and No Masters provides a chance for your wines to star. The 2023 competition was judged on 6 December at Aspen & Meursault in London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Low and No Master. This report features the medal winners only. Please visit The Global Wine Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
Read more
All the medallists from the Low and No Alcohol Wine Masters