Popping Bubbles

MODSUB114

Wotcha!

As this is the last issue of the year, I thought I’d throw a few suggestions for some celebratory bubbles your way. Some are new. Some I’ve covered before, but they’re definitely worthy of a reminder.

Thanks for your continued support this year—both for continuing to read my scribbles each week and for supporting our sponsors, who help pay the newsletter bills.

Here’s to 2026, and hopefully to brighter days ahead.

Happy hols to you and yours.

Myles

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

WINE
Noughty - Sparkling Chardonnay

WINE
Prima Pavé - Grand Cuvée 2nd Edition

WINE
Joyus - Sparkling Wine

Read time: 7 minutes 44 seconds

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WINE: Italian winery Villa Sandi, which launched Il Fresco Alcohol-Free Sparkling back in July, will now be available in the U.S. via Demeine Estates. (Link)

BEER: Over in Vermont, Zero Gravity Craft Brewery have discontinued their non-alc imprint, Rescue Club, but have launched two new NA beers under their main label. (Link)

BEER: Nostalgic Ski Lodge Winter IPA is a new release from Go Brewing. (Link)

WINE: It’s taken five years of R&D, but Oddbird have created something very special—and you’ll need to join the waiting list to get your hands on it. (Link)

BEER: Michigan’s Founders Brewing Company launch Nonetheless Golden Ale. (Link)

FUNCTIONAL BEER: Scottish brewers BrewDog introduce Mello, a new functional beer line infused with magnesium, kicking things off with two flavors. (Link)

WINE

ModSub’s thoughts: Vin avec des bulles has been around for centuries. Dom Pérignon is often credited with first observing sparkling wine in 1693. However, early records from the monks of Saint-Hilaire reference Blanquette de Limoux as far back as 1531. By that account, there is some speculation that sparkling wine may have been a scientific accident. Seemingly, the fermentation process was interrupted by the cold weather of winter, only to undergo a second fermentation when the yeast was reawakened as things warmed up in the spring. This was some 200 years before traditional techniques were perfected in Champagne.

Whether intentional or not, sparkling wine has never looked back. It’s synonymous with celebration. Whether it’s a wedding, a birthday, or a festive holiday dinner, sparkling wine is usually the drink of choice to kick things off.

Given the cost of decent sparkling wine—Champagne or one of its counterparts—it has always baffled me how much of it is wasted. Swinging a bottle at a ship seems like a strange and wasteful way to christen it, regardless of tradition. My father would never fail to be infuriated by F1 drivers, Tour de France winners, and cup-winning footballers who shake and spray champagne around in an attempt to spread the joy of their success. Look around the empty tables after a wedding reception and you’ll find an unusual number of abandoned, half-finished glasses. Strange, given that the drink is almost everyone’s first choice for celebrating, and yet at times there seems to be a reluctance to actually imbibe the stuff.

Not me, though. This year, on the 25th, I’ll be popping the cork on a bottle of Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay to celebrate with family—and I won’t be wasting a drop. Produced using Chardonnay grapes grown in the vineyards of southern Spain, this highly regarded sparkling wine was the first offering from the English winemaker back in 2019. It was a game-changer in an industry that rightly looked unfavourably on the non-alcoholic wines available at the time. Noughty’s Sparkling Chardonnay, along with its sibling Sparkling Rosé, was widely praised by wine critics and propelled the company into the international spotlight.

Many of you will have had it already, but if you haven’t, I’d urge you to seek out a bottle. Lightly carbonated and soft on the palate, green apple flavours are supported by lively acidity and a tart lemon edge that keeps you on your toes. It’s elegant, approachable, and—given the quality—very easy on the pocketbook.

The lovely thing about this sparkling wine is that even those sceptical of non-alcoholic wine are often won over. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, regardless of who’s coming. A safe bet in an otherwise uncertain category.

How Noughty describes Sparkling Chardonnay: Noughty Non-alcoholic Sparkling Chardonnay has been expertly dealcoholized to retain the rich flavor of this beautifully crafted bottle. Elegant pale color with a crisp and ripe apple nose. Beautifully balanced with a touch of sweetness undercut with just the right amount of acidity.

Sparkling Chardonnay is also available in mini 200 ml bottles.

WINE

This recommendation was previously published on January 4, 2025. Since then Prima Pavé have released Grand Cuvée - 3rd Edition.

ModSub’s thoughts: New Year’s Eve was unusually quiet this year. Not a bad thing per se, but a far cry from the parties Mrs. ModSub and I have attended—or hosted—in the past. An early dinner with friends was followed by a nagging desire to hit the hay at about 7:30 p.m., something our 16-year-old found utterly contemptible. Even bargaining for a 9:00 p.m. “it’s-midnight-in-New-York” trade-off was waved away as she reminded me that her 87-year-old grandfather had stayed awake to see the fireworks go off in London.

Little did she know, I had a trick up my sleeve for staying awake this year—one that didn’t involve matchsticks. A bottle of Prima Pavé Grand Cuvée was waiting for me in the fridge.

Prima Pavé was born out of a pregnancy. Many founder stories revolve around the need to curb excessive drinking or find a healthier path. Others stem from serious illnesses or tragic family histories. For Dejou Marano, however, it was simply the desire to toast the birth of a child and the lack of options on the market that matched the quality such a moment deserved.

As 2021 came to a close, Dejou and her husband, Marco, launched Prima Pavé, initially offering a Blanc de Blancs, a Brut Rosé and a Rosé Dolce. Their backgrounds in wine and hospitality—both are Certified Specialists of Wine (CSW)—gave them the opportunity to learn from winemakers across the industry and perfect what Prima Pavé would eventually become.

In the four years since, their wines have become Italy’s most awarded non-alcoholic wines. They’re featured in high-end restaurants like Eleven Madison Park, Four Seasons hotels, and Italian food mecca Eataly. Prima Pavé was also the first non-alcoholic wine picked up by Williams Sonoma.

This second-edition Grand Cuvée is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, sourced from Friuli in Northern Italy, and boy, is it fabulous. The wine boasts a crisp, bright acidity and a gentle tartness that balances the fruit—predominantly pear, with subtle notes of apricot and orange. The finish is delightfully dry and earthy.

As we head into the new year, keep this one in your back pocket for any and all celebratory events. Honestly, if every New Year’s Eve were accompanied by a bottle of Prima Pavé Grand Cuvée, you might just find me more inclined to stay up past midnight.

How Prima Pavé describes Grand Cuvee: Our Non-Alcoholic Grand Cuvee is a multi-medal winning white sparkler. Handcrafted in Northern Italy with sustainably farmed grapes from Friuli, it is an exceptional expression made without artificial flavors, colors or added sugar. An elegant sip for special occasions, a stunning gift and a treat for any day of the week, it is a sublime sparkler to enjoy all year round.

WINE

This recommendation was previously published on February 10, 2024. Since then Joyus has made Sparkling Wine available in single serve bottles for $9.00.

ModSub’s thoughts: In the lead-up to the holidays, it was intriguing to observe the many social media posts highlighting one of the most significant challenges people face during December—and indeed throughout the rest of the year. It’s the same hurdle that anyone choosing to be sober or sober-curious encounters all too frequently.

Trying to navigate social events without drawing attention, and the inevitable accompanying questions, can be daunting. For someone like me, it’s an opportunity to unabashedly bang on about how many amazing NA drinks are out there. For others, it places them in the uncomfortable position of having to explain themselves. It goes without saying that the insensitivity surrounding this topic is something we all need to improve upon.

Jessica Selander is one such individual who grew weary of being put in these situations and decided to take matters into her own hands. She set out to create premium wines that make people feel special—allowing them to be part of the crowd rather than standing on the periphery of social events.

It took seven years of research and development for her wine to make its way into the world. Like Ted Fleming at Partake, she faced considerable industry backlash from those who scoffed at the idea of NA wine. Launched in 2021, JØYUS debuted with two wines—a sparkling white and a sparkling rosé—quickly accumulating an unprecedented number of awards at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. For context, there were over 3,000 entries from 31 countries.

The sparkling wine is truly exceptional. It opens with a crisp first sip, with notes of apple and pear dancing on the palate, followed by a balanced acidity that leaves the delightful aftertaste characteristic of a white wine. The carbonation strikes just the right note—neither overly intense nor lacking the liveliness one expects. Nope, it’s simply perfect.

NA wines still have some ground to cover in winning over the same loyal audience that NA beer enjoys. However, as that tide unquestionably turns, it’s exciting for Jessica Selander and JØYUS to know they were there right at the beginning. Cheers to that.

How Joyus describes Sparkling Wine: Meet the Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine international wine judges called “dry and complex.” Awarded Best-of-Class and Double Gold by Sunset—it’s fun, it’s festive, it’s low sugar. And it tastes like the real thing. Just with the alcohol gently removed.

WINE

Two other sparkling wines I’ve just realized I should also include.

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