04 Jan 2025
Happy New Year my dear readers and welcome to the 101st edition of ‘Wine Times’.
Each week, I explore various aspects of winemaking, from the rich history and traditions of renowned vineyards to the latest trends and innovations in the industry.
Whether it’s a deep dive into the unique characteristics of a specific grape variety, a celebration of regional wine festivals, or tips on pairing wines with seasonal dishes, ‘Wine Times’ offers something for every wine enthusiast.
Quite often at this time of year my readers are looking for support with their New Year’s Resolutions, especially if they are doing Dry January!
I prefer ‘Try January’, but this week I do have some cracking no/lo alcohol wines that will support you to survive Dry January or merely help you in reducing your intake.
First up is a relatively new range which launched in Morrisons back in November, Nozeco Still Merlo and Nozeco Still Rosé.
Nozeco Still will be the seventh range within the UK’s leading alcohol-free sparkling wine brand alongside Nozeco Classic, Nozeco Sparkling Rosé, Nozeco Sparkling Peach Bellini, Nozeco Buck’s Fizz and Nozeco Spritz.
Nozeco is produced by Les Grands Chais de France, France’s most extensive private winemaker, with 68 properties nationwide.
The company is still independently owned and is now in the second generation of the Helfrich family. Nozeco is produced in an ultramodern dealcoholisation unit; the first unit of this size and this complexity in the world of wine.
The dealcoholisation process preserves the aromatic quality of the wine, giving it a richness and sensory experience very similar to that of alcoholic sparkling wines.
The process uses advanced technology. Vacuum distillation at very low temperatures preserves the wine’s natural qualities, and a specific team is dedicated to the unit for optimum quality control.
Nozeco Still Merlot (£5 from Morrisons)
On the nose, there are intense flavours of red fruits dominated by plum, and on the palate, it is round and velvety with notes of red berries, strawberries and plums.
Paired well over the festive season with lighter meats such as turkey and is a great partner for cheeseboards and chocolate desserts.
Nozeco Still Rosé (£5 from Morrisons)
Pink, with a nose full of red berries and floral notes. It is lively and well-balanced on the palate, with notes of strawberry and berries and an accompanying floral aroma.
This can be enjoyed as an apéritif accompanied by canapés such as cream cheese with prosciutto and strawberry and camembert with cranberry sauce.
Andrew Cooper, wine sourcer at Morrisons, said: “We’re excited to bring Nozeco Still Wines to Morrisons shelves. We know customers love the Nozeco brand and enjoy exploring new options in this important category, so we’re thrilled to be able to offer Nozeco Still Merlot and Nozeco Still Rosé in our stores.”
ZONIN Cuvée Zero (£7.50 from OCADO)
ZONIN – one of Italy’s oldest and most prominent winemaking families – has created its first non-alcoholic wine-based drink, which is now available in the UK via Ocado.
With over 200 years of history, ZONIN is a Veneto-based brand, a symbol of ‘Italianness’ that preserves, interprets and promotes Italian wine culture at an international level.
At the beating heart of this all-Italian entrepreneurial venture is the Zonin family.
Over the course of seven generations, it has cultivated, handed down and brought to life unique heritage, with an eye constantly focused on the future: care for the territory, enhancement of local wine-making traditions, respect for biodiversity, technical experimentation, innovation in production processes and sustainable development are the elements that express the company’s DNA.
ZONIN has always been inclusive, welcoming and accessible: throughout its history, thanks to its great quality, ZONIN has become ever-present on the tables of numerous families both in Italy and around the world.
The awards achieved nationally and internationally, over the years, have made it an influential brand in the wine sector and ZONIN is now acknowledged as among the leading wine brands to have exported culture, taste and a flair for beauty around the world.
ZONIN’S challenge has been to develop a product with organoleptic properties as close to sparkling wine as possible, whilst containing less than 0.5 per cent alcohol: the official definition of a non-alcoholic drink.
The Spinning Cone Column Distillation method was selected, a gentle dealcoholisation process which doesn’t compromise the flavour and texture of the beverage.
The result is ZONIN Cuvée Zero, made from the Glera variety, a dry, alcohol-free wine-based drink with a creamy mousse of pear and green apple, punctuated by light citrus and florals and a long finish that gives the sensation of alcohol.
Bolle Drinks (Buy Direct from Bolle Drinks)
And for those looking for a more premium listing, then look no further than Bolle. The story starts with winemaker Robert Vanin, who grew up in picturesque town of Treviso, Italy, surrounded by the joyous clinking of glasses filled with sparkling wine.
These family gatherings, filled with laughter and bubbles (which they called Bolle), left a lasting impression on him. As he grew older, Roberto’s fascination with wine deepened, leading him to pursue studies in Oenology and Chemistry at the University of Padova.
After years of working in research and development, Roberto felt a calling to recreate the magic of those childhood celebrations in a way that everyone could enjoy. He envisioned a sparkling wine that could be shared by all, regardless of age or preference for alcohol. With this dream in mind, he founded Bolle Drinks.
Roberto poured his heart and expertise into crafting a range of non-alcoholic sparkling wines that captured the essence of celebration. His innovative techniques and unwavering dedication to quality resulted in Bolle, a collection that brings the joy of bubbles to every occasion.
The creation of Bolle starts by de-alcoholising quality Chardonnay wine using one of the most advanced vacuum distillation machines, but it’s after that that the Bolle magic starts.
The wine-making method, developed by Roberto, has multiple patents applied for and is kept a strict secret but we do know that a key part is the secondary fermentation of the wine.
They are the only alcohol-free wine in the world that is twice fermented (note Champagne and Prosecco are also twice fermented).
Bolle Blanc de Blancs (£19.95 from Cellar Door Wines)
Made with a minimum 75 per cent Chardonnay and the rest is Silvaner. I was completely blown away, as I’m drawn to the fine bubbles, crisp apple, zesty citrus flavours and some slightly toasted notes. It was fresh, well balanced with a light minerality to it.
Bolle Rosé (£19.95 from Cellar Door Wines)
Again, fine bubbles but this time I was greeted with red berries, strawberries, raspberries and balanced acidity. This is a blend of Chardonnay (75%) and Pinot Noir and made using the same double fermentation method. And all the grapes come from La Mancha in Spain.
With just 15 calories per 100ml glass, Bolle is not only a healthier choice but also a refreshing one. It is perfect for those who wish to enjoy the experience of sparkling wine without the alcohol or extra calories.
Whether you are reducing your intake, going tee-total, partaking in Dry January or lowering your calorie consumption, I hope one or more of these wines help you on your way.
