Sans Alcool Tasting

Moderato

Hello and happy Friday!
It’s been a month since I embarked on this ‘sans alcool’ research project, not because I’m going to give up drinking wine (it’s a major part of my job and something that brings me immense pleasure), but because there’s a booming world of non-alcholic beverages out there I was compelled to discover. Are these drinks really as good as many of their makers claim they are? I’m not ready to spill the beans just yet.

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Instead, in this post I’m introducing you to Moderato, a French brand of non-alcoholic wines launched in 2020 by Fabien Marchand-Cassagne and Sebastien Thomas. In a country renowned for its wine, Moderato disrupts the French winemaking tradition by offering alcohol-free alternatives. While France values its winemaking heritage, Moderato challenges the status quo with a portfolio that includes:

• Two reds (a blend of Merlot/Tannat and a Grenache)

• Two whites (a Colombard and a Verdejo)

• A rosé (a blend of Verdejo & Grenache)

• Two sparkling whites (a Merlot and a Verdejo)

The brand is committed to sustainable viticulture and preserving biodiversity. In an attempt to maintain the aromatic structure of their wines, low-temperature vacuum distillation is used. One thing that really stands out about the brand is its attractive website with beautiful photography and plenty of information to convince us about the merits of alcohol-free wines, from it being a low-calorie beverage to it being the perfect solution for those who can’t drink (like pregnant women). Additionally, the brand aims to advance the alcohol-free movement by proving that drinking these beverages “allows you to continue enjoying the benefits of wine without the negative impact of alcohol.”

Regarding the latter, this week I came across a very interesting podcast with the brilliant Dan Buettner. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Wine tried:
Red blend of Merlot/Tannat

Pairing:
A hearty lentil soup

Notes:

• In the coming weeks, I’ll be trying more non-alcoholic beverages and introducing them here (without reviews). 

• All beverages will be featured on my Instagram Story ‘Sans Alcool’.

• Read my past intros to nonalcoholic beverages here:
  Noughty
  Leitz
  Highball Cocktails
  Natureo

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Latest publishings:
My January column for Reader’s Digest

Next destination:
Málaga, where I’ll be attending the Innovation Summit for the Hospitality Industry along with a group on international fellow journalists.