The alcohol-free drink space is a fast-growing industry. The consumption of alcohol in Australia has reached its lowest point since the early 1960s, having declined steadily since the mid-2000s with 31 per cent of Australian consumers now buying no-alcohol drink products.
Read on if you’re confused about all the hype.
Alcohol-removed, non-alcoholic, alcohol-free, zero alcohol, 0 per cent alcohol, or similar descriptions are all drinks that do not contain any alcohol. But alcohol-free wines are not simply ‘grape juice’.
A lot has changed since the 1960s and industry leaders have invested their time and resources into catering to this market’s needs and wants. With advancements in technology, even the most loyal wine lovers are being converted, thanks to its likeness to its alcoholic counterpart.
So, to cut through the noise, here are seven things you may not know about alcohol-removed wine.
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It’s made just like real wine
Winemakers are clever and know the only way to produce an alcohol-free wine as close to its counterpart as possible is to make it just like real wine. At Edenvale, we use the traditional methods of winemaking, sourcing grapes grown in the finest wine regions in Australia and harvesting the same way we would for alcoholic wine. In fact, the wine starts life as an alcoholic wine until the alcohol is gently extracted.
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It’s come a long way
It’s easy to get your hands on a bottle of alcohol-removed wine. Edenvale was born with the philosophy that everyone should have access to premium alcohol-removed wine at an affordable price point. That's why you can find Edenvale stocked in supermarkets, at liquor stores and online!
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It makes a great gift
In situations where a bottle of wine would be the perfect dinner, housewarming or even birthday gift, alcohol-removed wines are perfect for those not drinking alcohol. They still come beautifully packaged and are a safe option if you’re just not quite sure what to get.
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It doesn’t last as long as traditional wine
Before you consider popping an opened bottle of alcohol-removed wine on the shelf with the others, take caution. No-alcohol wine has a shorter shelf life than regular wine and unlike alcoholic wines, both reds and whites should be kept in the fridge once they’re opened to preserve them for as long as possible, which is typically about five days. Unopened bottles however can last for up to three years (and beyond) from production.
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Alcohol-free wine isn’t completely free from alcohol
Although it contains less than 0.5 per cent, it will contain trace amounts of alcohol, the same as fruit juice or kombucha. The International Standard for a non-intoxicating beverage is 0.5 per cent alcohol/volume. Below this level, the regulatory body, Food Standards of Australia and New Zealand, does not require producers to include any statement of alcohol content or standard drinks.
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It’s really versatile
Alcohol-removed wine is also super versatile. If you don't enjoy drinking it by itself, you can use it as a base for mocktails. Plus, if you love cooking with wine, it's great here too. Whether you’re moderating your drinking or cutting out alcohol altogether, non-alcoholic wines can help you keep your favourite dishes in your repertoire.