By Leslie Sbrocco–
With a new year starting, it’s a time when many set new goals, reevaluate old habits, and think about what the months ahead will bring. Some lovers of libations might be looking to fully replace alcoholic beverages, while others are considering drinking less overall. The exciting news is that categories of low and no alcohol beverages are trending up.
I’ve sampled dozens of new N/A wines over the past few months and feel that quality is finally getting to the point where many of these beverages taste good. The reason it’s hard to remove alcohol from wine and still have it taste like the real thing is that the alcohol is essentially the flavor delivery system. It serves up mid-palate mouthfeel and carries the aromas and flavors to your sensory system. Without it, wines can seem thin or flavorless.
If you want to sample one of my latest favorites, seek out a new entry in the N/A sparkling category:
Bolle non-alcoholic Sparkling Rosé $30
https://us.bolledrinks.com/
This beautiful new N/A pink fizz coming from Europe is simply delicious. It undergoes a proprietary twice fermented process to remove alcohol. With only 15 calories per glass, it’s dry and delicious to sip with everything from brunch to aperitif hour. It has an elegant bottle that is worthy of celebrations any day or night of the year.
Lower alcohol styles of wine can also impress, both in terms of presentation and quality. German Rieslings, for example, can hover in the seven percent range as opposed to traditional bottlings at twice that percentage of alcohol.
A style of naturally lower alcohol wine I highly recommend for savory, cool-weather fare is Lambrusco, which is often a discovery to wine drinkers. Lambrusco is a lightly sparkling red wine from Italy’s northern Emilia-Romagna region. The region is home to Modena and its famous vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and, of course, the legendary Italian opera star, Luciano Pavarotti. Lambrusco wines generally ring in at 11–12 percent alcohol and come in dry to sweet styles.
My top pick in this category is not only widely available but wildly affordable:
Lini 910 “Labrusca” Lambrusco Rosso, Italy $15
https://bit.ly/41E9Pu4
The Lini family has been producing artisanal Lambrusco in Emilia since 1910. Currently run by the fourth generation of the family, it is a producer to know. The wine carries the term “Labrusca” that refers to the ancient Roman name for grapes used to make Lambrusco. This ruby-hued, gently fizzy bottling overflows with red berry freshness followed by a crisp, dry finish. It’s an ideal pairing for salty cheeses, spicy Thai curries, and slow-roasted meat dishes.
Author, speaker, wine consultant, and television host Leslie Sbrocco is known for her entertaining approach to wine and food. She has won multiple Emmy Awards for her work on PBS, which includes hosting the series “Check, Please! Bay Area,” “Check, Please! You Gotta Try This!” and “100 Days, Drinks, Dishes & Destinations.”
Sbrocco Sips
Published on December 19, 2024
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