After the sold-out release of the world's first non-alcoholic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in 2020, the New Zealand winery Giesen Group added a rosé and pinot gris to its popular Giesen 0% non-alcoholic wine range.
The no-alcohol or low-alcohol (NOLO) movement is gaining momentum. Wine Australia's latest Market Bulletin (September 2021) finds that the projected growth rate for the low and no alcohol category is 15% per year, compared to less than 1% per year for total wine volume.
Duncan Shouler, chief winemaker of the Giesen Group, says the sell-out launch of its Sauvignon Blanc showed Giesen that wine lovers want a choice in this emerging category.
“The Giesen 0% Rosé and the Pinot Gris were both recently launched in New Zealand and sold out quickly in the Giesen online shop,” he says.
"Both wines are particularly popular with wine lovers and those looking for a healthier alternative."
High tech means higher quality wine
The Giesen Group takes the category of non-alcoholic wines seriously and invests more than 1 million.
“Wine without alcohol is more expensive to produce than its full strength counterpart,” says Mr. Shouler, “especially when our goal is to produce 0% wines with as few calories as possible, more like wine than grape juice taste good .
“Owning our own spinning cones also allows us to increase production levels to meet consumer demand and really helps improve quality. That means we can experiment and continually improve our 0% alcohol wine offering to suit consumer taste profiles. We see better and better alcohol-free wines every time we produce them. "
About the wines
With 70-80% fewer calories than standard wines with 12.5% alcohol, the Giesen 0% range offers low-calorie options for those who want to moderate their consumption and still enjoy a glass of wine – without alcohol.
The 0% Pinot Gris should be "light and refreshing, with a nice balance of crispness and sweetness, with only 18 calories per 100 ml glass".
The 0% rosé "exudes delicious stone fruit aromas of white peach, apple and fresh strawberries and only 13 calories per 100ml glass". The 0% Rosé and Pinot Gris are now available across Australia and a Merlot will be added to the range in January. The wines have an MSRP of $ 18.99.
