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Summary
Some people say non-alcoholic wine is a contradiction in terms, a blasphemous notion (or just plain disgusting).
Others say the world has changed and it could be the saving of wine.
In this episode, which may ruffle a few feathers, and for which we tested more than 100 bottles (at least one over £100), we ask: is non-alcoholic wine any good? Is it worth our while? Does it taste like wine? Should it even be classed as, ‘wine’? Who’s buying it? And what does the future hold?!
Spoiler alert: we don’t see eye to eye on this one. We also share a shameful confession.
Joining us are leading figures in the world of non-alc wine: Maggie and Rodolphe Frerejean-Taittinger (French Bloom), Will Willis (ZENO) and Paul Beavis (Wild Idol).
Along the way, we touch on ducks, Dragon’s Den, religion, book-ending, April fools, cauliflower noses, bubbles, secret yeasts, gas and air, and zebra striping.
Starring
- Maggie and Rodolphe Frerejean Taittinger (French Bloom)
- Will Willis (ZENO)
- Paul Beavis (Wild Idol)
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Links
- For those interested, here’s the official OIV definition of wine
- If you’re interested in the secretive method that BOLLE are using (like we are), then check out this page on their website
- We reference a couple of past Wine Blast episodes in this programme, here are quick links to those:
- Dry Drinking (2021)
- The End of the Hangover (2023)
Wines
The following are non-alcoholic wines we’d recommend:
French Bloom Le Blanc, Alcohol Free, 0.0% (£29) – baked apricot, bready/doughy, biscuity, juicy acidity, fine bubbles, foodie
Wild Idol Twenty Twenty Five, 0% (£29.99) – dried apple, white peach and herbs, juicy, succulent, well integrated fizz
Wild Idol Rosé Twenty Twenty Four, 0% (£29.99) – baked plum, dried herbs, fruit-forward, tangy, moreish
French Bloom Le Rosé, 0.0% (£34) – rosehip, pear drop, bready, vinous feel, mouth-watering, not too sweet
BOLLE Grand Reserve Twice Fermented Blanc de Blanc, 0.5% (£49.99) – zesty lemon, fresh herbs, creamy texture, almost a farmhouse cider hint, layered and long, impressive
French Bloom La Cuvée Vintage 2023 Blanc de Blancs, 0.0% (£109) – effusive, honeyed, bready, creamy, almost caramelised aromas, citrus acidity, nutty finish, full-on but vinous, characterful, gets close to aged champagne
Chavin Zéro Sauvignon Blanc, 0% (£12.85) – grassy, lemon, tangy but succulent and gluggable
BOLLE Sauvignon Blanc, 0.5% (£19.99) – citrus and apple, greengage, almost Riesling-esque, tangy, honeysuckle, succulent
Bolle Reserve Chardonnay, <0.5% (£29.99) – fresh peach and apple, with creamy hints, shades of Maconnais typicity, refreshing
Moderato La Cuvee Revolutionnaire de Moderato Pinot Noir 2024, 0.3% (£15.70) – dark berry, wet dough, floral hints, tangy acid, decent with lamb
ZENO Tempranillo Cabernet 2025, 0.3% (£10.25) – spiced mulberry jam, floral and graphite hints, fine tannin, not too sweet
ZENO Virtues Bush Vine Tempranillo 2023, 0.4% (£24.99) – smoky, creamy, woody, rich dark fruit, firmish tannin
Sigalas Rabaud Par Moderato Vin Liquoreux Sans Alcohol (£17 for half bottle) – honey, sweet apricot, barley sugar, juicy and rich but not as sweet as classic Sauternes. Seriously impressive and rewarding
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Transcript
Coming soon!