Chile hits another alcohol-free home run

Tarapaca Sauvignon Blanc, $10.95, LCBO; for all other locations please email info@pdandurand.com for availability

The Maipo Valley in Chile is home to some of the country’s oldest and finest wineries, so it stands to reason that some of Chile’s best non-alcoholic wine also hails from that region. Snuggled into the foothills of the Andes, and known as the Bordeaux of South America, the area is a combination of great altitude and daytime heat perfect for ripening vines. Although the area is mostly celebrated for its red wines, white varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc flourish here as well.

Tarapaca Winery is located right in the heart of Isla de Maipo in prime vineyard territory, and has been making wine since 1874. They’ve branched out from their regular award-winning wines to make a quaffable non-alcoholic sauvignon blanc. The Tarapaca Dealcoholized Sauvignon Blanc showed up on the shelves of the LCBO here in Ontario, and it’s a pleasant surprise coming from a retail outlet with a reputation for terrible options in the non-alcoholic category.

We’ve written about the basics of sauvignon blanc before but as a quick refresher, the varietal originated in France. The name comes from two french words ‘sauvage’ and ‘vigne’ meaning wild vine. It’s now a leading wine varietal in all wine regions around the globe. The hallmarks of sauvignon blanc, which people usually either love or hate, are notes of fresh cut grass or straw, and elements of citrus and minerals. It’s high in acidity and on the opposite end of the spectrum from a California chardonnay when it comes to taste.

The Tarapaca non-alcoholic sauvignon blanc is a light and refreshing dealcoholized wine that does have some of the characteristics of sauvignon blanc.

On the nose, there is very little ‘aroma’ that reminds you of a Sauvignon blanc, but that’s ok. It’s got a light and crisp smell that is fresh and slightly fruity.

On the palette, it’s very nicely balanced with notes of green apple and plum. There are hints of herbaceousness but definitely dialled way down in comparison to a regular glass of the varietal.

Overall, it’s a pleasant option for a non-alcoholic white wine and much better than many bottles out there. It’s obvious a winemaker has been involved the process of making this liquid, and taken the care and time needed to get it right.

Available in Ontario for $10.95, it’s also a steal of a deal in comparison to other non-alcoholic bottles in the $20-$25 price range. It’s certain to roll-out to other provinces soon via mega-importer P. Dandurand. If you’re reading this in the U.S. and tired of your Giesen Sauv Blanc, it’s worth flagging for your local Total Wine or non-alcoholic bottle shop as another great option.

Cheers!