Alcohol-free with allure

Just across the border, in Hamminkeln, Germany, we visited Obstkellerei Van Nahmen. The producer of cheerful fruit juices invited us to a Juicy Masterclass with lunch. Our goal: to find the best non-alcoholic wine alternatives.
Text: Niels van Laatum | Image: Van Nahmen

Towards the festive month of December, we keep a particular eye on sparkling drinks. Van Nahmen has those too, in two different styles: Frucht-Secco, one hundred per cent fruit with a fine bubble, and Sparkling Juicy Tea, an effervescent mix of tea and fruit or vegetables.

What immediately stands out: Van Nahmen approaches fruit juice as if it were wine. This ‘Privatkelterei seit 1917’ seeks the balance between fresh and fruit - sour and sweet - to make their drinks serious alternatives to wine.

The scent of ripe Riesling

Van Nahmen has several Frucht-Seccos, each with a combination of different fruits. We were given a glass of apple-cranberry-raspberry on entry. Lovely fresh and relatively dry bubble, fine entrée. At lunch, another variant: quince-apple. Slightly riper and fuller, but what stands out most is the typical aroma of quince, reminiscent of ripe Riesling. A clever trick by the top chef who prepared our lunch, use the same fruit juice in the sauce. Cooking towards the ‘wine’, we call it. Works with non-alcoholic too!

From BOB to tea idea

Besides being a proud director and a fan of his own work, owner Peter van Nahmen is a lover of wine and good food. He collects top-quality Rieslings that he opens at the earliest after ten years and he enjoys dining out at the very highest level. For instance, Peter visited De Librije in Zwolle several times. On one occasion, he was the designated BOB, so he decided to opt for a tea arrangement. This was the eye-opener and confirmation to do something about it himself. It turned out to be three Sparkling Juicy Teas. All three organic and all three with a different character. We tasted two of them on the spot.

Want to read more? You can do so in WINELIFE 98 which you shop here.

Don't want to miss a single edition? Subscribe then subscribe to WINELIFE Magazine now!

Want to stay up to date with the best articles? Follow WINELIFE magazine on Instagram, Facebook and sign up for our fortnightly newsletter.