The rising popularity of low and no alcohol products has now inspired McGuigan Wines to enter the alcohol-free sector with McGuigan Zero. The range contains five de-alcoholised wines including Shiraz, sparkling, rosé, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, priced at $12 RRP.
The crafted range has been in development for more than two years from McGuigan’s Buronga Hill winery in New South Wales. The alcohol is removed after the fermentation process by unique technology that is the only of its kind in the country, making McGuigan the only Australian winemaker to make alcohol-free wines using this method.
Chief Winemaker Neil McGuigan said: “We are the only wine company in Australia operating spinning cone technology, which has enabled us to play around with its capabilities in making low and alcohol-free wines.”
McGuigan also described the process to refine this technology while maintaining the usual quality of the brand’s wines.
“For the last few years, we have been experimenting with our winemaking to deliver an alcohol-free wine, which has the most vinous and varietal character possible. The biggest challenge is to make the flavour profile of the finished product as close to a wine at full-strength as we can,” he said.
“The technology we have is market-leading and uses low temperatures to remove the alcohol, which means the wine retains freshness and purity of flavour. To get the finished product down to a lower ABV requires further refinement, but we have identified that this is possible to achieve while maintaining wine-like qualities.”
McGuigan Wines indicated that new consumer behaviour revolving around moderation trends was the reason they wanted to enter the category, to give drinkers a full-flavoured experience, with or without alcohol.
McGuigan Zero is now available from independents and the Coles Liquor Group.