Rise in Alcohol-Free Wine Production in South Bath and Alsace Continues to Climb
Rising Demand for Alcohol-Free Wines in Europe
A growing interest in alcohol-free wines is being observed across Europe, with new production facilities popping up to cater to this trend, including in southwestern France near Alsace. Despite a general sales decline in still wines, the Alsace wine region is focusing more on Crémant d’Alsace (sparkling wine) as a stronghold. However, there is no direct data on increased demand specifically for alcohol-free wines in Alsace or Germany.
In Germany, winemakers like Andreas Loeffler have been producing alcohol-free wine since 2020, and the demand for his products continues to grow. Loeffler recently picked up 300 liters of alcohol-free ice wine in Ettenheim to restock. His success has attracted attention, with winemakers from the entire region, including those in Alsace, bringing their wines to Germany for de-alcoholization.
Andreas Bieselin, located 60 kilometers away, is one of the service providers that Loeffler turns to for de-alcoholization services. Bieselin invested half a million euros in a machine that filters alcohol out of wine, and the investment has proven profitable, attracting winemakers from the region. Bieselin's service is particularly valuable for Alsatian winemakers who lack the necessary experience and service providers for de-alcoholization in their own region.
While the production methods for alcohol-free wine are not fully detailed, common methods generally used include vacuum distillation, reverse osmosis, and spinning cone technology, which remove or reduce alcohol content while preserving aromatic compounds. The creation of a dedicated dealcoholization center implies substantial financial and operational investment to scale production of alcohol-free wines to meet growing market demand.
The demand for alcohol-free wine has increased by 86 percent nationwide in one year, and Loeffler's high-quality ice wine without alcohol is no exception. As the market for alcohol-free wine continues to expand, it will be interesting to see how the Alsace region adapts and whether it can capitalize on this growing trend.
- The surge in demand for alcohol-free wines is not limited to Germany, as winemakers from Alsace are also bringing their wines to Germany for de-alcoholization.
- With the rise in health-and-wellness and lifestyle consciousness, the food-and-drink sector is experiencing a significant shift towards alcohol-free options, such as the growing demand for alcohol-free wines in Europe.
