One Way Or Another

MODSUB#105

Wotcha!

I almost hate to ask this because I always roll my eyes when I start seeing mentions of holiday gifts weeks before we’ve even been rained out on Halloween. However, last year I wanted to do a non-alcoholic gift ideas edition but didn’t think of it until mid-December—which was too late!

So, in advance of next month’s Holiday Gift Ideas edition, I’m wondering: how many of you are planning to give friends and family gifts that include non-alcoholic beverage products? If you think you will be, what types of gifts are you looking for?

Gift baskets? NA cocktail books? Brewery subscriptions? Special limited edition releases?

Let me know, and I’ll hunt down some options for you—and maybe even save you a little time.

Enjoy some great drinks this week!

Myles

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

WINE
Kølønne/Null - Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé

FUNCTIONAL
Sauvé - Cucumber Mint and Blood Orange Cinnamon

Read time: 5 minutes 46 seconds

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New Non-Alcoholic Drink News

NORTH AMERICA

• WINE: Mini-me 200ml versions of Noughty AF’s Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Chardonnay will soon be available. (Link)

• FUNCTIONAL: Cool things are happening over at FABRIC. Not only are they opening DTC channels, but they’re also donating 100% of proceeds from the first 10,000 cans of Clarity to the non-profit Protect Our Winters. (Link)

• WINE-ISH: A little stuck on which category to file this under, but the folks at Kally Wines have just launched a new brand, Montara, and their first release — Sparkling Verjus Original. (Link)

• SPIRIT: A new limited-edition Cherry Love Social XXXX elixir has just been announced by Three Spirit. (Link)

• HOPWATER: Spiced Apple is the latest flavor from HOPWTR. (Link)

• BEER: Smokey Grove is a brand-new collaboration between Go Brewing and Industry Ales. (Link)

• BEER: Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. have joined forces to bring you Bero Coffee Draft. (Link)

WORLDWIDE

• WINE: Down under, Altina have just launched Avec Flowstate in two expressions. (Link)

• BEER: Over in Cornwall, England, Firebrand Brewing Co. have teamed up with Blue Balls Cornwall to produce Blue Balls Alcohol-Free Hazy IPA. (Link)

WINE

An After Work Rosé Treat

ModSub’s thoughts: I first came across Kolonne Null at the Mindful Drinking Fest a couple of years back. The German wine company had just been introduced to the U.S. market through then high-flying non-alc retailer Boisson, and seemed, from my freshman position, to be the talk of the event.

The idea to start a non-alcoholic wine company came to founder Martin Rößle in 2018, who quickly teamed up with college friend Moritz Zyrewitz to flesh out the idea. They wasted no time setting up a wine lab in Berlin, where they began testing and fine-tuning their process of de-alcoholizing wines through vacuum distillation and thermal vacuum rectification. This combined process removes the alcohol while minimizing damage to the all-important aroma compounds. Reportedly, over 1,000 wines have passed through the lab, with only a handful making the jump to their core line.

Despite initial skepticism from the wine industry, Kolonne Null has won over many within the field—not only because of the high-quality wines they’re producing, but also because they are providing the very thing consumers have been long demanding. Some four years after their initial launch, they now partner with wineries from Nahe and Mosel in southwest Germany, as well as from Austria, France, and Spain. The result is an impressive portfolio of wines that can be found at top restaurants and retailers on both sides of the pond.

One of their best sellers is the Sparkling Rosé, offered in 750ml bottles and, to my delight, in 6.76oz (200ml) single-serve cans.

It’s very easy for me to throw around phrases like “this is the best non-alcoholic rosé I’ve had yet”. I’m sure I’ve said it about others in the past and meant it. But without them all sitting in front of me, it’s hard to say definitively which one deserves the top spot on the podium.

But I’ll stick my neck out with that previous statement, and say this really is the best non-alcoholic rosé I’ve had so far.

It’s wonderfully dry with Syrah and Grenache grapes combining to bring notes of red berry and plum, adding an ever-expanding depth of flavor that continues to build on the palate while the sparkles delightfully sparkle with their refined acidity on to a bright and crisp finish.

I’ve always been a huge proponent of the single-serve can, for reasons I’ve probably belabored at this point. But boy, I wish I had a whole bottle of this rosé in front of me right now. This one can—of which I, sadly, only have one—is going to leave me wanting for more.

How Kolonne/Null describes Sparkling Rosé: With 0.0% alcohol and under the motto "La vie en Dose," our favorite sparkling drink, Sparkling Rosé, is making its debut in a stylish 0.2l can. Fine red berries and plums, paired with balanced acidity and lively bubbles. 

FUNCTIONAL

Calmness through CBD

ModSub’s thoughts: If THC drinks are the talk of the town right now, they’re doing so in the considerable wake left by companies producing CBD drinks. It’s an area I’m learning more about by the day, and there are folks out there far more qualified to talk about the benefits of CB-(add-your-own-letter) than me.

One of the big draws for many when it comes to CBD is stress and anxiety relief. I sit before you as a good example. I do the odd podcast interview here and there. If I’m honest, it’s out of my comfort zone, but I’m always grateful for the opportunity to spread the word about this newsletter. Right beforehand—or even during—I’ve chugged away at a CBD drink to calm the nerves. Whether it’s the drink or I’ve simply settled into the conversation, I don’t know, but I certainly feel very relaxed.

But benefits aside, this newsletter is first and foremost about drinks that can be used to substitute for alcohol. Sure, if I get something a little extra from a drink, all the better, but I sit here every week writing to you because I want to bring you drinks with fabulous flavors.

Enter Sauvé, a beverage company out of Los Angeles with three flavors, all containing 20mg of CBD—Ginger Lemon, Blood Orange Cinnamon, and Cucumber Mint.

While I would happily come back to any one of the three, Cucumber Mint was the standout. Crisp, earthy and mild vegetal freshness from the cucumber embraces the sweet, menthol coolness of the mint. Add in some delicate carbonation, and you have a smashing late-afternoon pick-me-up—both energizing and calming in equal measure. Go one step further and add an ounce and a half of Free Spirits Tequila, and you’ve got yourself a delightful pre-dinner cocktail.

Worthy of a quick mention—and running a close second—is the Blood Orange Cinnamon. A subtle tart sweetness overlays notes of raspberry and cranberry-inspired orange, along with a peppery, earthy warmth from the cinnamon. It’s a lovely combination. Twist my arm, and I’ll add some Spiritless Kentucky 74, bringing vanilla and oak to the mix—and a cocktail you might want to add to your party list as those aforementioned holidays arrive.

At times like these, it feels like anything that can bring a little calmness to our lives should be celebrated—especially if that calmness tastes fantastic. So go help yourself to Sauvé.

How does Sauvé describe Cucumber Mint: Chill cucumber meets breezy mint in this ultra-refreshing sip. It’s like hitting reset—cool, calm, and effortlessly fresh. Naturally flavored, and colored with blue spirulina and turmeric.

How does Sauvé describe Blood Orange Cinnamon: Juicy blood orange gets grounded with a touch of cinnamon. It’s bright, warm, and effortlessly smooth—like golden hour in a glass. Naturally flavored, and colored with turmeric, carrot, and blackcurrant.

EXTRA READS