Sans Alcool Tasting
Leitz: Eins-Zwei-Zero and Zero-Point-Five
In the world of winemaking, where tradition can sometimes collide with innovation, Johannes Leitz is reshaping the landscape with his collection of dealcoholized wines. The motivation behind his portfolio of Eins-Zwei-Zero and Zero-Point-Five wines was a Norwegian chef who, back in 2015, asked Leitz if he could suggest an “alcohol-free grape juice” to pair with a dish. “I told him that grape juice contains too much sugar to be the ideal choice,” Leitz reported to Forbes. “I promised to work on his request and we found a good dealcoholization partner. We were brave enough to do the first trial with a good base wine. The trial went well, and we sold it quickly.”
Nestled in the renowned Rüdesheimer Berg in the Germany winegrowing region of Rheingau, the Leitz estate has roots that go back to 1744. Johannes Leitz took over the family winery in 1985, making it a national and international success. However, it is not merely the legacy of traditional wines that defines Leitz, but also the foray into dealcoholized wines that sets this estate apart.
A visionary vintner, Leitz aims to merge tradition and modernity in crafting an array of dealcoholized wines that capture the essence of the vineyard’s terroir. Leitz, drawing upon his deep understanding of winemaking traditions, employs cutting-edge technology (vacuum distillation and the spin cone column methods are used) to remove alcohol.
By providing a viable dealcoholized option, Leitz is contributing to a more inclusive and responsible drinking culture. This commitment aligns with the broader global trend towards conscious consumption and highlights the role that winemakers can play in shaping a healthier and more balanced relationship with alcohol.
Notably, Johannes Leitz earned the title of Winemaker of the Year 2011 by Gault Millau, a recognition of his outstanding contributions to the wine industry.
One of the flagship offerings in Leitz’s dealcoholized portfolio is the Eins-Zwei-Zero Riesling, which was the first to be launched and has been very well received. My first taste of Leitz’s offerings, however, was the Zero-Point-Five Pinot Noir.
Pairing: Puy lentil, kale and sweet potato hachis parmentier.
The Riesling is currently chilling and will be tried tonight with a Thai red curry with pumpkin, chickpeas and coconut milk.
Notes:
In the coming weeks, I’ll be trying more non-alcoholic beverages and introducing them here (without reviews). In the May issue of Reader’s Digest, I’ll include my top selections. Reviews will appear thereafter.
All beverages will be featured on my Instagram Story ‘Sans Alcool’.