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Giesen introduces first alcohol-free Marlborough Sauv Blanc

Kiwi winery Giesen has created the first alcohol-free Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Giesen 0% – Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc uses the same winemaking process as its alcoholic wines in the market, using Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in Giesen’s vineyards.

Giesen’s winemakers use a spinning cone technology to separate the fragrance and alcohol from the wine, after which the distinctive distilled aroma is added back to the wine. The wine features citrus flavours with blackcurrant and passionfruit notes and is much lighter than its full-strength wine counterpart.

“There is a growing trend towards non- alcoholic drinks and sales around the world are growing rapidly as consumers look to reduce their alcohol intake for a wide variety of reasons,” Giesen chief winemaker Nikolai St George said.

“Boozy long lunches are becoming a thing of a past – from the rise of mindful drinking to people looking for a lighter drop in the evening after an exercise class, the low and no-alcohol trend is on the cusp of mainstream. We are excited about this innovation and what it means for our export markets.”

The European Zero Alcohol Drinks 2019 Report found that the number of consumers who are looking for non-alcoholic or low alcohol options will continue to rise, global sales predicted to grow 10 per cent each year for the next five years.

The beverage, which was a year in development, has 85 per cent fewer calories in a 125ml glass than a full-strength wine.

Giesen 0% – Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is available online and will hit retail stores in New Zealand from March 2020. It will be launched internationally later this year.

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