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The wine industry has witnessed a significant shift in recent years, with no- and low-alcohol wines gaining immense popularity worldwide.
French Bloom, a leading French zero-alcohol wine producer, is at the forefront of this trend. The company, which has won investment from luxury giant LVMH, has seen its sales soar in recent years. With plans to sell a million bottles this year, French Bloom is redefining the concept of wine and challenging traditional notions of what it means to be a “wine.”
One of the key factors driving the growth of no- and low-alcohol wines is the declining consumption of alcohol worldwide.
Mathilde Boulachin, founder of Chavin, another leading French brand, notes that there is a steady decline in alcohol consumption in France and around the world. This shift is driven by increasing awareness about the health risks associated with excessive drinking and a growing desire for more responsible drinking options.
No- and low-alcohol wines are not just popular among younger generations; they also appeal to pregnant women, health-conscious consumers, and individuals who avoid alcohol for religious reasons.
The market is diverse, with a wide range of products available to cater to different tastes and preferences.
However, producing high-quality no- and low-alcohol wines remains a challenge.
Most producers rely on a de-alcoholization process, which strips the wine of its aromas and flavor compounds. This results in wines that are often described as lacking complexity and character.
Benchmark Drinks, a UK-based company that produces no-alcohol wines for celebrity brands like Elton John and Kylie Minogue, has taken a different approach.
By fermenting grape juice with bacteria that do not produce alcohol and adding Chinese green tea to offer complexity and tannins, the company has created a unique product that is gaining popularity.
Martynas Zemavicius, founder of Acala, which produces tea-based drinks that mimic the minerality and flavor profile of wine, notes that consumers want products that have a profile close to wine. “They have to be mature, a bit more complicated, and also complex,” he says.
While no- and low-alcohol wines are gaining traction, there is still debate about whether they can truly be considered wine.
Johannes Trautwein from the German wine producer Trautwein notes that products need to have a profile close to wine, but acknowledges that the industry is still evolving.
As the market for no- and low-alcohol wines continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how producers respond to the challenge of creating high-quality, complex, and authentic products.
The decline in alcohol consumption worldwide and increasing demand for responsible drinking options are key industry trends driving the growth of no- and low-alcohol wines.
The market is diverse, with a wide range of products available to cater to different tastes and preferences. Key statistics include 1 million bottles expected to be sold by French Bloom this year, sales of Benchmark Drinks’ celebrity brands reaching over a million bottles.
Growing demand for responsible drinking options, with a steady decline in alcohol consumption worldwide, is driving the growth of no- and low-alcohol wines.
Notable figures include Bertrand Degat, vineyard manager for French zero-alcohol wine producer FrenchBloom; Mathilde Boulachin, founder of Chavin; Paul Schaafsma, managing director of Benchmark Drinks; Johannes Trautwein from the German wine producer Trautwein; and Martynas Zemavicius, founder of Acala.
Sources include AFP, Money.com, and Yahoo.
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What This Means for Consumers
The rise of no- and low-alcohol wines offers consumers a wider range of options that cater to different tastes and preferences. With the increasing demand for responsible drinking options, consumers can expect to find more products on the market.
Pros and Cons
The pros of no- and low-alcohol wines include their potential health benefits and increased accessibility. However, some consumers may miss out on the social and cultural aspects of wine consumption.
Challenges Ahead
As the market for no- and low-alcohol wines continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how producers respond to the challenge of creating high-quality, complex, and authentic products. The industry is still evolving, and consumers can expect a wider range of options in the future.
