Sponsored by Feast Creative Foods
Non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits have taken off in the West and are slowly making its way to this side of the world.
But for those of you who love a good buzz, you would most likely find this concept blasphemous.
“Non-alcoholic wine? That’s just grape juice!”
“Non-alcoholic spirits? Isn’t that flavored water?”
Non-alcoholic wine is a fairly new product, and it has been said that it will never rival its alcoholic counterparts. But market experts say it has plenty of potential, and the stats don’t lie—Global Market Insights projects that the non-alcoholic wine and beer market size is set to surpass USD 30 billion by 2025.
And so, here’s an introduction:
Introducing Kolonne 0, non-alcoholic wine and sparkling
Kolonne 0 is a Berlin-based German company that produces premium, alcohol-free wines—in this case, a non-alcoholic white and a non-alcoholic sparkling.
It’s currently being distributed by Feast Creative Foods, a food and beverage company that provides turnkey solutions for new brands entering China. Kolonne 0 is one of the latest brands in their portfolio.
It’s a premium beverage that seeks to be an alternative to other non-alcoholic options like water, sodas, or juices, and is made to pair well with food.
Sure, you can drink cold brew teas or mocktails, but hey, people like to have variety. It gives consumers an additional option and allows restaurants and bars to make revenue instead offering filtered water.
The two products
Kolonne 0 Silvaner 2018 (¥168/750ml) – Fruity, mid-to-high acidity, light bodied, dry, crisp, and with notes of gooseberry and ripe pear.
Kolonne 0 Sparkling Wine 2018 (¥198/750ml) – The sparkling version of Silvaner 2018.
Silvaner 2018 (250ml) is ¥68 retail.
It’s really not bad. I wouldn’t be writing about it otherwise. I prefer the sparkling, or the Silvaner 2018 with a splash of soda water. Granted, it’s not as complex or mature as other whites or sparklings, but it’s a better option to soft drinks when looking for a non-alcoholic pairing with dinner.
General FAQ
It is NOT grape juice
Kolonne 0 is made from fermented wine—grapes are pressed, fermented, and dealcoholized at a low temperature of 27 degrees via a vacuum distillation process. Grape juice has a completely different production method that requires boiling the grapes.
Actually, there’s 0.19% of alcohol
Ok, it isn’t 100% non-alcoholic. It has 0.19% of alcohol by volume. (By law in the US, non-alcoholic beverages must contain less than 0.5% ABV. Homemade kombucha might contain more than that.)
According to multiple sources, lowering the alcohol level in wine doesn’t remove the antioxidants beneficial for cardiovascular health either.
The takeaway is: You can’t get drunk off 0.19%. And it won’t come up on the breathalyzer either.
Let’s talk sugar and calories
Kolonne 0 has 15 calories and 3.6g of sugar per 100ml.
Classic Coca Cola has 42 calories and 10.6g per 100ml.
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2018 has 70 calories per 100ml.
Perspective: Kolonne 0 has three times less sugar than Coca Cola and nearly five times less calories than one of the most popular chardonnays on the market.
Say goodbye to alcohol allergies
Kolonne is also hypoallergenic. If you’re allergic to alcohol like me, it won’t affect you.
Oh, it’s also gluten-free and vegan.
Great, it’s healthier! But who’s drinking it?
Some people just don’t like the taste of alcohol, some are allergic, and some love a good tipple, but are driving and don’t want to risk getting pulled over.
It sure beats that awkward moment where you want to toast a special occasion and you’re holding up a glass of water. And that’s speaking from experience.
Q&A with Janis Vougioukas, co-founder of Feast Creative Foods
Do you think the non-alcoholic drink segment is growing, and why?
The non-alcoholic drink segment is growing. An example we use often is that alcohol-free beer in Germany used to have a bad reputation, now it’s a growing market. (During a 2019 survey, it was found that roughly 10.54 million Germans aged 14 years and older drank alcohol-free beer, an increase of 10% compared to 2018, according to Statista.)
Why do you think Kolonne 0 will be successful in China?
In China, most alcoholic beverages are consumed during meals. It’s a social thing. Drinking excludes a lot of people, whereas Kolonne 0 is inclusive. I also think the tradition of drinking during a business meal is being phased out by the younger generation, which would contribute to the success of Kolonne 0 and similar products in China.
What has the feedback been from Chinese consumers so far?
It’s a bit early. We only launched Kolonne 0 in China in April 2019. Feedback has been mixed. It takes a bit to understand the product and the potential. It’s also difficult for restaurants to understand why it can sometimes be more expensive than some wines. It actually has more production steps to remove alcohol and to keep the quality of the wine. For better products, healthier products, it’s the same across the board—you just have to pay more for it.
There you have it.
Non-alcoholic wine. It’s a thing.
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