Natureo De-alcoholised Wine. Now there’s a term you just don’t see all too often.  Wine with no alcohol?, foolhardy surely. It will never catch on, or will it?  So what exactly is De-alcoholised wine and who on earth would be buying it?

Well it usually rears its head high and proud during the month of January. Or as many people call it ‘Dry January’.  Now I won’t get into dry January itself because I already had a rant which included it and many other topics such as clean eating and you can find it here.  Non alcoholic or de-alcoholised wines are of course available all year round but they simply get a little more attention in January because they coincide nicely with empty wallets and New Years resolutions.

Natureo is part of the Torres wine family who are represented by Findlater Wind and Spirit Group here in Ireland. They very kindly sent me a bottle just before Christmas which arrived with a skipping rope. A clever nod to get your ass off the couch (does no harm).

Natureo De-alcoholised Wine

Sometimes I think its hard to get past the psychological label of non-alcoholic/de-alcoholised.  Generally the expectations are low and there is a feeling of why bother attached to it.  Well there are lots of reasons to try it.  I know a couple of people who have given up drink entirely or who have never drank at all.  If they are anything like me I’m sure there are only so many soft drinks you can manage on a night out or at a friend’s house having dinner.  I’d happily sink ten glasses of wine but try to get me to drink ten Cokes or even one pint of water before bed and I’m struggling.

Then there are people who might want to try the aforementioned dry January or simply give the booze a miss for a while.  I often do it (try to) if I’m training for a half marathon.   It does make a difference.   So why not treat yourself to the feeling and atmosphere of having a glass of wine without the alcohol, hangovers and fear of texting someone you shouldn’t have.

Natureo De-alcoholised Wine

Natureo De-alcoholised Wine

Of course the big question is what is it like?

Well I’m happy to report that it is very drinkable.   It is actually made from the Muscat grape. The wine is fermented and then the alcohol is entirely removed.  Yes, you read that correctly. The alcohol is removed. What’s left behind are the majority of the grapes original characteristics such as floral aromas and a fruit led taste.  It’s a pale lemon colour and looks exactly like the ‘real thing’. Personally I did find it a little sweet but it is still a pleasant and refreshing drink. If you are comparing it, compare it against other de-alcoholised wines you have tried rather than your favourite Chablis, because let’s be honest that isn’t really fair.

There is another bonus tucked under the screw cap of the Natureo.  It contains less than half the calories of your regular wine so if you are watching the waistline, substituting a few glasses won’t do you any harm.

I’ve spotted it stocked in a few supermarkets and ranges in and around the €7 – €8 mark.  Remember now, when you are rolling your eyes and thinking to yourself you could get a bottle with alcohol for the same price, that is not the point of a de-alcoholised wine.  It’s there for a reason and it does serve a purpose.  Not everyone drinks.  I say well done to Natureo for upping the game and producing a decent, drinkable alternative.

Natureo De-alcoholised Wine