French heresy: Non-alcoholic Bordeaux wine is here to stay!

In the vineyards of Bordeaux, the unthinkable has happened. Wine without alcohol has arrived.

The heresy of yesterday is now – thanks to science and economic crisis – the opportunity of today, reports the BBC.

Wine estates which would have torched their grapes rather than submit to such ignominy, are now openly contemplating the booze-free bottle. And developers are fast creating wines that are deliberately designed to get the best from the de-alcoholisation process.

“When we started a few years ago, what we were making was frankly rubbish,” says Bordeaux oenologist Frédéric Brochet, who has helped create the Moderato range of no-alcohol wines.

“But we have made great progress. And today we are getting nearer and nearer to our goal. I think it is going to be a revolution in the wine world.”

Bordeaux has just seen the launch of its first ever cave – wine shop – dedicated solely to no-alcohol wines, evidence of a shift in perceptions which has taken many in the industry by surprise.