Thoughts? I personally have had the Leitz and Fritz Muller wines and wasn’t inspired to re-purchase.
I know from my distributor that this category has exploded in recent years - like double digit growth year on year. Probably goes hand in hand with millennials health craze lifestyle 
. But hard to make the wines engaging, from what I’ve heard.
Any progress in the direction of no alcohol alternatives to the complexity, sophistication, and experience of fine wine, beer, and spirits is welcome in my mind. Health-crazed is a really dismissive way of describing the huge segment of the population that chooses not to or can’t drink, either for diagnosed health reasons, past issues with substance abuse, or religious beliefs. These people have long been completely ignored and given only sugary afterthoughts while alcoholic drinks transport “normal” people to ethereal panes of existence. Many people feel uncomfortable going to places that specialize in alcohol due to feeling left out or singled out as the weird non-drinker.
The zero alcohol wines I’ve tried are mostly not comparable to alcoholic wine, but you kinda have to get over the need to compare them to typical alcoholic wine. It’s not unlike the fact that the most amazing vegetarian food isn’t food created to imitate a meat-based dish, but food designed around the available ingredients. I believe all of this experimentation and imitation will result in a much more exciting and inclusive future at social establishments and settings.
NA drinks are getting better and better, and I certainly applaud Germany for leading in this area. One can pop a bottle of something with actual thought put into it and feel special and actually have options now. Leitz isn’t Keller, but some of their sparkling riesling will do just fine on a hot patio or during a festive toast. It’s just a different drink, but it’s also so difficult to know how good the category can be until more people put their spin on it.
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It was pretty firmly tongue in cheek as it’s on a wine board. But I agree, I also welcome this category heartily. Improving these products will help all.
I’m sure Bobby understood that Adam was joking but recognized that there is historically a bit of snide commentary around “healthy eating” and was addressing that.
This quote really leapt out at me:
Now, dealcoholized beer represents more than 10 percent of the German beer market and is steadily growing.
10 percent! In Germany!
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Yep! I realized it was just a joke, and I probably shouldn’t have made my response look like such a “call out.” I default to the same kind of commentary without realizing. It’s just that I’ve been someone who, for a time, couldn’t drink any alcohol for medical reasons, and as I get older, I’m around more people who can’t or don’t drink, and I think many don’t realize how these little jokes sometimes land and alienate that audience.
Those of us with the NICEST intentions still bring up questions at a party or gathering… “You aren’t drinking tonight?” “Did you stop drinking entirely?” “Surely you don’t just want water?” “Are you the DD?” Not drinking is both a choice and necessity for many, but it’s also a private choice that one can elaborate upon if they so choose. I’m hoping more people put the same thought into NA choices at parties and restaurants they do into the alcoholic drinks. It really shouldn’t make someone feel like they are going to cause a scene, be grilled, or receive an eye roll when seeking an NA option. Put it right next to the other choices and normalize it as an option for everyone.
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Drinking is such a prominent component for most adult socialising situations, many don’t realise how alienating it can be for those that don’t consume alcohol.
It’s part of the reason why companies like Liquid Death have had such a huge success. Not only are they providing non-alcoholic alternatives, the packaging itself also looks like pretty much any hard seltzer or been can that may be at a party. It goes such a long way to make folks don’t feel like they are standing out by just not drinking.
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YES, there is something going on in Germany right now, it’s booming. And according to several experts/sommeliers there is good stuff out there. Many restaurants in Berlin offer non-alcoholic drinks these days.
Fair to say I haven’t tasted it so far.
Come to Berlin or Berlin ist immer eine Reise wert.
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Not surprised. Many countries have better alcohol free beers than we do.
If you you haven’t had Guiness alcohol free, you might be in for a pleasant surprise.
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A lot more craft breweries are entering the NA world. BrewDog has probably been the most successful in retro-engineering some of their regular beers into NA versions, and several breweries have been created straight up as NA producers. Seeing a few smaller breweries doing options here and there, but it can be difficult to allocate the tank space if there is a lot of success with the regular beers.