Ambitious to support the widest portfolio of zero alcohol wines in Australia, Fourth Wave Wine has launched its new brand, the Sobriety Society as well as a premium range of Plus & Minus wines sourced from world-renowned wineregions such as the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills in South Australia.
“The demand for zero-alcohol wines has rocketed in the last twelve months with many Australians simply choosing to consume less or even no alcohol. This is seen across all age groups but particularly amongst 18–24-year-olds, where the number of non-drinkers has doubled in the past 20 years,” said Ross Marshall, general manager of Fourth Wave Wine, experts in producing high quality, zero-alcohol wine.
Mr Marshall said part of the reason for the trend towards alcohol free is that many young people are making either healthier choices or choices more suited to their lifestyle or beliefs.
Additionally, he says, there is a growing number of ‘Sober Curious’ people in older age groups, keen to moderate their drinking habits.
Industry research2 shows that this trend is set to continue into 2022, with 71 per cent of Australians planning to increase or maintain their no or low alcohol consumption, and 65 per cent saying they are keen to discover new low or no alcohol drinks to give a range of alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages.
Mr Marshall said that more experience in production and new technology has aided the progression of the zero-alcohol category, allowing them to make better tasting wines compared to the past.
“It starts with choosing the best quality grapes, then skilfully extracting the alcohol to ensure that the flavour and vibrancy of the wine is retained, to give it an authentic, palate-pleasing taste and mouthfeel,” said Mr Marshall.
Sobriety Society – a Heavenly Drop that Won’t Leave You Feeling like Hell RRP: $17.99 per bottle.
Sobriety Society is a vegan friendly, zero-alcohol wine range made with organically grown grapes ensuring a better tasting alternative to other alcohol removed wines. The Sobriety Society range includes:
Blanc de Blancs
All the fizz without the fuzzy head. A classic example of Blanc de Blancs, brimming with citrus and apple and a freshly effervescent mouthfeel. The palate is full-flavoured and ends dry with a hint of sweetness and cleansing acidity.
Chardonnay
Go hard on the Chard without any repercussions. A zero-alcohol wine that still maintains flavour and palate weight. A varietal Chardonnay with citrus, stone fruit and hints of fresh apple. Good weight, texture and length on the finish.
Shiraz Tempranillo
A delicious red blend, full of vibrant berry fruit complemented by soft tannins, a hint of sweetness and gentle acidity, makes for a very satisfying alcohol-removed wine.
Plus & Minus Prosecco – Now in a Handy Can. RRP: $22.00 per 4-pack, $6.00 per can.
Launched in 2021 and loved by non-drinkers and those looking for an occasional alcohol-free alternative to regular Prosecco. Available in a neat 250ml can – perfect to pick up and pop in your bag to take to your next picnic, barbecue or social gathering.
“Plus & Minus is one of Australia’s favourite alcohol-free range of wines and has received rave reviews from top wine writers who love it for its outstanding quality, something not always easy to find in the zero-alcohol wine category” said Mr Marshall.
Plus & Minus wines are hand-crafted using the highest quality grapes from premium, dry-grown South Australian vineyards. This ensures the wine retains its vibrancy and full-flavour once the alcohol has been removed. The added ‘’Plus’’ in Plus & Minus refers to the addition of grape-skin extract, giving the additional benefit of all of the naturally occurring antioxidants normally found in wine.
Featuring delicious citrus and just-cut apple on the nose, Plus & Minus Prosecco has a softly effervescent palate that delivers a firm weight with great fruit flavour. It has a touch of sweet fruit and a cleansing acidity on the finish. Chill well and enjoy as an aperitif, or with a delicious cheese platter.
Plus & Minus Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021 RRP: $24.99 per bottle.
This delicious Shiraz is the first of a new premium range of Plus & Minus zero-alcohol wines. Advanced, state-of-the-art technology has enabled the alcohol to be extracted via a combination of hands-on methods, including the use of an ultra-fine membrane filter.
This refined methodology involves a complex and detailed process that takes time and technique to remove the alcohol carefully and gently. It ensures the integrity of the grape and the structure and balance of the wine is retained, resulting in an exceptionally high quality taste for a zero-alcohol wine.
Barrel-aging ensures the base materials for this zero-alcohol wine are as good as it gets. The nose features captivating black fruit aromas with hints of spice and toasty oak influence. The palate is smooth and full of sweet primary fruit flavours, with considerable body and length and has a great mouthfeel on the finish with a cleansing acidity. This delicious drop sets a new benchmark in zero-alchohol wine and is guaranteed to put the celebration into any sober social occasion!
Plus & Minus and Sobriety Society Wines are available from leading liquor retailers. For more information on the range, visit: www.theconsciousdrop.com.au– an online hub established by Fourth Wave Wine, offering information, tasting notes and advice on the myriad of choices available in the growing category of lifestyle wines.
1 Centre for Alcohol Policy, La Trobe University.
2 IWSR 2021 Drinks Market Analysis ‘No and Low Alcohol Strategic Study
