Five tasty drinks
Pleasure without any regret: Nowadays, drinking non-alcoholic drinks is considered good form and is no longer frowned upon. Even in renowned gourmet restaurants, a suitable alternative to wine is a natural pairing for a multi-course meal. Not having anything to offer here will lose guests – and turnover.
There’s no denying that drinking a fine wine is an exceptional experience. Take, for example, a complex and mature Bordeaux or an elegant Burgundy - heavenly. Nevertheless, there are an ever-increasing number of alternative non-alcoholic wines. Do they taste nice? The world of non-alcoholic wines has been bleak for a long time, some might even say dreadful. You couldn’t even get drunk from it!
But times have changed. Thanks to new technologies and passionate inventors, many things have changed for the better, and the quality of non-alcoholic wines (and sparkling wines) has risen at the same pace. This goes hand-in-hand with the trend towards healthy and sustainable nutrition.
However, the world of non-alcoholic drinks does not consist exclusively of alternatives to wine. The industry is extremely innovative because customers are not simply looking for sweet, boring alternatives. For example, there are directly pressed fruit juices with a brilliant acidity available, providing a special experience. Fermented drinks such as kombucha and kefir promise complex, flavourful experiences, and experimental sommeliers in hotels and restaurants are creating exceptional cocktails – containing no alcohol whatsoever and without the prospect of a hangover the next day.
We have selected five non-alcoholic drinks for you to discover. They demonstrate the diversity of this world and are the best evidence that you don’t always have to order wine, beer or spirits. The future is alcohol-free.
Aromatic
Lysegron Sparkling Tea 0% vol., Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company, Denmark
This innovative beverage from Denmark is made from various green teas and lemons. The result is worth more than just a sip. The sparkling tea is finely effervescent, surprisingly complex in terms of its aroma with notes of apples and citrus fruits, fresh on the palate, light, complex and relatively long-lasting. It's ideal as an aperitif or paired with fish dishes.
CHF 24.50 | vinothek-brancaia.ch
Fruity
Riesling non-alcoholic wine 2022,
Column Zero, Germany
The base wine comes from the German wine-producing region of the Moselle valley. The alcohol is extracted at just 28 degrees thanks to vacuum distillation. The result is a dry, tart wine with beautiful fruit and fine acidity. An impressive, alcohol-free alternative, even for Riesling fans.
CHF 17 | smithandsmith.ch
Sparkling
Noughty Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Chardonnay,
Thomson & Scott, England
The Chardonnay grapes for this sparkling wine are organically grown. The vineyards are located in southern Spain. No flavourings or sugar are added to the drink. The wine is dry, finely sparkling, fresh and has a lingering aroma and taste. It doesn't always have to be champagne.
CHF 19.90 | ve-refinery.ch
Playful and Floral
French Bloom Le Rosé
This alcohol-free sparkling wine is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Behind the project is the obviously health-conscious French model Constance Jablonski, who has a partnership with the Frèrejean-Taittinger champagne family. The result is a high-quality, pink-coloured, delicate sparkling wine with fruity, floral notes that is fresh, elegant, subtly sweet and slightly tart on the palate. Try it with a fish dish.
CHF 37 | bauraulacvins.ch
Fresh
Wild Quince Edition Sommelier 2022 fruit juice,
Obsthof Retter, Austria
Obsthof Retter from the Austrian region of Styria is one of the leading producers of directly pressed fruit juices. Only high-quality fruit is used for its unique products. It's a must-try drink as reflected by it properties: typical of the variety, intense aromas, brilliant acidity, only slightly sweet, powerful, beautiful length. It's a perfect alternative to a wine pairing and goes perfectly with cheese.
CHF 31.50 | moevenpick-wein.com
Words Peter Keller
Related Stories
The centrepiece of Castello del Sole’s culinary world is the Locanda Barbarossa restaurant. Awarded one Michelin star and 18 Gault-Millau points, the gourmet restaurant is an oasis for foodies.
Discover more
Dom Pérignon strives for the perfect balance of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – it is the paradox of opposite and complementary elements of these grape varieties that creates vibration and tension.
Discover more
St. Moritz is booming like never before. Not least because of the cosmopolitan gastronomy which attracts guests from all over the world. They are wooed by traditional grand hotels with international star chefs and exquisite product quality.
Discover more
Peter Knogl has transformed the Cheval Blanc in the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel into one of the best classic restaurants in the world. When you talk to him, you quickly realise why this is the case.
Discover more
In the watchmaking town of Biel, Michael Bach produces knives that are as flawless and precise as a luxury watch. The S in the name sknife is no coincidence. Read on to find out more about steel, wood and emotions.
Discover more
A real revelation. From the outside, it looks very much like an ordinary beetroot. But once cut open, the Chioggia beetroot springs a surprise with its characteristic pattern - hypnotic pink rings. Hailing from the wild beet family, and later sugar beet, this is a traditional original variety that has been cultivated in the small fishing village of Chioggia near Venice since the 16th century.
Discover more
Wine consumption is declining. Customers are increasingly requesting non-alcoholic drinks. The industry is also undergoing rapid development. Wine expert Peter Keller sheds light on the unstoppable trend, describes the innovations and explains why the catering trade needs to have non-alcoholic products.
Discover more