De-Alc wine demystified
No alcohol, no problem!
Lockdown silver linings: Now we know that de-alcoholised wine is worth trying. WCellar spoke to Lautus winemaker Reg Holder, who also makes the exclusive De-Alc range only available at Woolworths.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE DE-ALCOHOLISED WINE GAME?
I love chemistry and experimenting and finding new ways of doing things. When my wife fell pregnant with our first child in 2015, she wanted something to drink that wasn’t fizzy and sweet and asked me if I could make something for her that she could enjoy. She was a Sauvignon Blanc fan at the time, so I started playing with the concept. That was how the Lautus Savvy White started. It took about two years to get something that I felt was worth putting into a bottle.
HOW DOES THE DE-ALCOHOLISATION PROCESS WORK?
De-alcoholised wine is made using the same process as conventional wine but the alcohol is removed after fermentation, either through reverse osmosis or spinning cone technology at low temperatures and under vacuum. A de-alcoholised wine contains less than 0.5% alcohol and it’s important to understand that a de-alcoholised, or non-alcoholic, wine is not alcohol-free.
WHAT CAN FIRST-TIMERS EXPECT?
Alcohol gives a lot of sweetness perception. It also gives mouthfeel and makes a lot of flavours jump out of the glass, and therefore adds complexity. Wine connoisseurs want the complete experience, so that’s an important point to remember – the aromatic profile won’t be fully showcased. Any grape variety can be used but the style of winemaking should be light to ensure a refreshing wine.
DOES IT PAIR WELL WITH FOOD?
Yes! Don’t think of de-alcoholised wine as grape juice. It contains wood tannins that cut through the palate, making it good to enjoy with a variety of dishes.
WHAT DO WINE LOVERS SAY?
There are positive and negative perceptions but the global trend towards non-alcoholic options is big and people are looking for alternatives. This is a good one!
The Woolies De-Alc range includes a sparkling rosé, Moscato rosé, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc.