Non-alcoholic wines are winning the hearts of a growing audience

Elena Mikheeva, founder of the How To Wine project in London, shares her expertise on non-alcoholic wines, which have transformed from a niche product into one of the fastest-growing market segments.

Let’s delve into the details of this phenomenon and understand why non-alcoholic wines deserve our attention.

The market in numbers: Impressive growth

In a world where a healthy lifestyle is becoming not just a trend but a necessity, the beverage industry is experiencing a real revolution.

According to research, the non-alcoholic wine market, currently valued at £1.6 billion, is expected to reach £4.2 billion by 2033. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% is not just a statistic; it’s a signal to producers and investors about the emergence of a new promising direction.

In the last year alone, the market for non-alcoholic sparkling and still wines showed growth of 7% and 6% respectively. Future forecasts are even more optimistic: an 11% annual growth in consumption is expected over the next ten years. For comparison, the traditional wine market is growing by only 1-2% per year.

Production technologies: Science in the service of taste

But how are these drinks created? The process of producing non-alcoholic wine is a true technological marvel. There are several methods of dealcoholization, each with its own peculiarities:

1. Vacuum distillation: The wine is heated in a vacuum, allowing alcohol to be removed at a lower temperature, preserving most of the aromatic compounds.
2. Reverse osmosis: The wine is passed through special membranes that retain alcohol molecules but allow water and aromatic substances to pass through.
3. Spinning cone: A method where wine is sprayed into a thin film, and alcohol is removed by a stream of inert gas.
4. Halting fermentation: The fermentation process is stopped before a significant amount of alcohol is formed.

Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages, affecting the final taste and aroma of the product. Manufacturers are constantly improving technologies, striving to bring the taste of non-alcoholic wine as close as possible to traditional wine.

Consumer trends: Who’s choosing non-alcoholic?

First and foremost – millennials, born between the early 1980s and mid-1990s, and the following Generation Z. These young consumers, for whom health and conscious consumption are not empty words, are actively seeking alternatives to traditional alcohol.

Interestingly, choosing non-alcoholic wine is not always a matter of completely giving up alcohol. Many consumers practice so-called “mindful drinking”, alternating alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic alternatives. This allows them to enjoy the taste and ritual of consuming wine without experiencing the negative effects of alcohol.

The premium segment of non-alcoholic wines is also growing. Consumers are willing to pay more for a quality product that is not inferior in taste and aroma to traditional wines. This opens up new opportunities for producers and winemakers, allowing them to experiment with grape varieties and production methods.

Europe, especially Germany and the United Kingdom, leads in the consumption and production of such drinks. The USA also shows significant growth, especially in the premium non-alcoholic wine segment.

Markets in countries with restrictions on alcohol sales, such as in the Middle East, are of particular interest. Here, non-alcoholic wines can become not just an alternative, but the only available option for those who want to enjoy the taste of wine.

Challenges and prospects: What awaits the industry?

Despite impressive growth, the non-alcoholic wine industry faces a number of challenges:

1. Taste qualities: Many consumers still believe that non-alcoholic wines are inferior in taste to traditional ones.
2. Pricing: The dealcoholization process increases the cost of the product, which is reflected in the final price.
3. Legislative restrictions: Some countries have strict rules for labelling and selling non-alcoholic wines.
4. Competition: The market is becoming increasingly saturated, requiring innovative approaches and marketing strategies from producers.

However, the industry’s prospects look promising. In the coming years, we expect to see:

• Expansion of the range, including the emergence of new varieties and styles of non-alcoholic wines.
• Improvement in taste qualities thanks to advancements in production technologies.
• Growing popularity of non-alcoholic wines in restaurants and bars.
• Increased investment in the industry, leading to the emergence of new players in the market.

Non-alcoholic wines are not just a trend; they reflect global changes in society where health, conscious consumption, and diversity of choice come to the fore. The numbers speak for themselves: this market segment will only grow.

For consumers, this means expanding choices and the ability to enjoy the taste of their favourite drink without regard to alcohol content. For business, it means new opportunities and challenges requiring investments in technology, marketing, and innovation.

Non-alcoholic wines are not a replacement for traditional wines, but a complement to them, expanding the palette of taste sensations and life situations in which one can enjoy this delicious drink.