Can you taste the difference?

By Mary Malik

Have you tried any of the non-alcoholic (NA) wines? Are you a fan? We covered the subject here last year and Jim Sperk of the Northern Ohio Wine Guild (NOWG), our resident wine expert, says the article generated more feedback than any other presented here. So, let’s dig a little deeper.

“With all the interest in NA wines, it might be time for an update,” says Jim. “Some studies suggest that NA wines might be used to treat people with heart disease, reduce diabetic medications and stroke risk, as well as other benefits shared with wine containing alcohol. Ongoing testing is being conducted to confirm these results but there are a few certainties about NA wines.”

One certainty is that a glass of red wine can contain as much as four times the calories of a red NA wine. While the switch might help you lose a few pounds, it’s still no replacement for exercise and a balanced diet.

“So, is there a downside to drinking NA wines?” asks Jim. “Well, since alcohol and sulfites are preservatives that allow some wines to age for many years, NA wines are not meant to be ‘cellared.’ Once opened, it is best to refrigerate an NA bottle or risk spoilage.”

But what about the aroma, the taste and whether or not NA wines pair well with food? These are questions the members of the Northern Ohio Wine Guild are determined to answer.

“Each year in May, NOWG holds a competition,” says Jim. “This year we will have a blind tasting comparing NA wines against their alcoholic counterparts.”

Another aspect of this year’s contest includes a faceoff between seasoned NOWG members (Veterans) and casual wine drinking friends and family members (Novices).

“The object is to determine which group can more accurately deduce which wines, in a blind tasting, are NA,” says Jim. “This should be not only interesting, but a lot of fun.”

Stay tuned. Mimi will reveal the results soon.

For information about the Northern Ohio Wine Guild, contact Jim Sperk at tinymoonwines@usa.net.