Category: Virgin Bubbles

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Virgin Bubbles

Miguel Torres Natureo 0.0

Bubbly’s take…

The Natureo is another, increasingly mainstream, de-alcoholised red wine. This one hails from Spain and is a blend produced from Garnacha and Syrah grapes. One thing we noticed is that the Natureo has a somewhat spicy and festival – think mulled wine – flavour. This sort of makes sense given the label mentions its matured in French oak (!).

We think the Miguel Torres winery has done a good job with this one. As virgin wines go, it is flavoursome, bringing a full spectrum of berry flavours to the palate. In other words and in contrast to other alcohol-free wines, it definitely does not greet you like a glass of bland grape juice. It has depth, with some smoky characteristics, likely a benefit of the combination of two grapes and barrel-based production.

Would go well with…

Red meats, pasta… lasagne anyone? Seriously though, we think the Natureo is suitable for most meals, particularly for mid-week evenings or a lighter weekend. It also pairs well with Netflix, Prime and Disney+, making for a great night in.

Where to buy…

Waitrose

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Virgin Bubbles

Torres Natureo De-alcoholised Muscat (Spain)

Bubbly’s take…

We heard that the Natureo was the very first de-alcoholised wine to hit the supermarket shelves in Spain. For a virgin wine, we certainly think this one has surprising depth of flavour. It possesses rounded, lush and fruity notes to keep the palate entertained. This wine also possesses a beautiful colour and a robust bouquet hence we think the Natureo Muscant is a great choice if you’re after something that looks, smells and tastes like the real deal.

Would go well with…

Definitely food. This wine is quite versatile and we think it would pair well with most Mediterranean dishes. It’s one of those reliable wines that you can use as both an ingredient and an accompaniment. We enjoyed the Natureo when we made some scrumptous goats cheese and courgette fusilli (thanks to Mildreds (London) for the recipe!):

Where to buy…

Waitrose Cellar

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Virgin Bubbles

Benjamin Truffer Alcohol-free Sparkling Muscato

Bubbly’s take…

This light wine is definitely fruity and flavoursome. Being a Muscato, it is certainly one of the sweeter virgin or low-alcohol wines that we have tried. But it is a cordial drink to enjoy and we believe it would be suited to those seeking a more adventurous virgin wine.

Would go well with…

We think this Muscato could be enjoyed in lieu of a usual dessert or fortified wine. Equally, we enjoyed this with Netflix!

Where to buy…

Marks & Spencer (in-store)

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Virgin Bubbles

Nosecco

Bubbly’s take…

Crisp and pointed, this faux Prosecco most definitely tastes like the real deal. We enjoyed this amongst family at a cabin in woods-style holiday retreat. It is one of the most convincing low-alcohol wines we have tried. The Nosecco is a solid replication of a mainstream Prosecco, with its own underlying and effervescent character.

Would go well with…

Pizza!

Where to buy…

Tesco

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Virgin Bubbles

Freixenet Alcohol-free Sparkling

Bubbly’s take…

Marketed as an “alcohol-free” wine, Freixenet sell this under a o.o.% volume label. Unlike many other wines in its peer group, which are frequently de-alcoholised to 0.5%, Freixenet’s alternative may be well-suited to anyone who wants a teetotal night. While very light and delicate to the palate, this quality wine blossoms with the scent and taste of fresh melon and grape.

Would go well with..

Fresh fish or chicken cooked with a light seasoning or sauce, pairing well with lemon, lime or mild cheese. Freixenet have, however, created a refreshing versatile drink, which would also accompany a light desert (of sorbet or ice-cream), cheese or canapés provided these are not too overpowering. Alternatively, afternoon, evening or at night, this makes for a great wine to enjoy on its own.

Where to buy…

Tesco

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Virgin Bubbles

The Italian Job

Some things with archaic roots, like wine, remain timeless and relevant to contemporary challenges. As medieval Italy grappled with the plague, it developed some ingenious yet practical solutions to beat the bug and keep the country appeased. The so-called “wine windows” were devised as a wise way of maintaining social distance while allowing judicious publicans to serve their eager patrons. Check out this article in the New York Post for the full story! YouTube also has a video of some of Florence’s classic wine windows…

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Virgin Bubbles

Your Champagne Needs You

In reality, it should be no surprise. Everyone who visits this site will know about (or have been affected by) the CoViD 19 pandemic in some way. It certainly has had a manifest effect on the way we’ve been able to drink and enjoy bubbles – our favourite Champagne bars are only just reopening after many long months. As summer in Europe reaches its zenith, many unfortunate Champagne houses (and other wineries) face a constellation of challenges. Waning demand, diminished wine tourism and a neglected harvest certainly aren’t helping even some of the most established Champagne maisons. We’ll definitely be doing our bit to help out the industry and we hope the Champagne-lovers will do what they can to support this timeless wine-making tradition.

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Virgin Bubbles

Tesco Low Alcohol Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc

Bubbly’s take…

While we don’t usually review “own-brand” wine, we had to post something about this refreshing Spanish Sauvignon Blanc. While dealcoholised to <0.5%, we felt this sparkling white came surprisingly close to the real thing. It’s well-priced and characterful, bringing a welcome depth of flavour typically not found in its peer group.

Would go well with…

Finger sandwiches or afternoon tea.

Where to buy…

Tesco

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Virgin Bubbles

Freixenet Alcohol-free Sparkling

Bubbly’s take: Marketed as an “alcohol-free” wine, Freixenet sell this under a o.o.% volume label. Unlike many other wines in its peer group, which are frequently de-alcoholised to 0.5%, Freixenet’s alternative may be well-suited to anyone who wants a teetotal night. While very light and delicate to the palate, this quality wine blossoms with the scent and taste of fresh melon and grape.

Would go well with: Fresh fish or chicken cooked with a light seasoning or sauce, pairing well with lemon, lime or mild cheese. Freixenet have, however, created a refreshing versatile drink, which would also accompany a light desert (of sorbet or ice-cream), cheese or canapés provided these are not too overpowering. Alternatively, afternoon, evening or at night, this makes for a great wine to enjoy on its own.

Where to buy:

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Virgin Bubbles

Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Riesling

Bubbly’s take…

Ok, ok! We admit it – this isn’t a fizzy wine but it is still a premium de-alcoholised alternative that we feel deserves its spotlight. In terms of flavour, this German Riesling has a nice fruity blush though it’s not too overpowering and we definitely felt we were drinking a wine (rather than grape juice!). Eins Zwei Zero is also reasonably low in calories, which makes it a great tipple for those needing a mid-week treat or who want to leave room for dessert!

Would go well with…

Pretty much anything. This Riesling is a good go-to wine for weekday nights and would pair well with Netflix and a night on the sofa. Like most Rieslings, this wine will also suit most meals though – given it is a low alcohol wine – we would suggest matching Eins Zwei Zero to fish dishes or vegetarian recipes, which do not call for a dry or tannin-rich pairing.

Where to buy…

Waitrose Cellar