According to NielsenIQ, the overall market grew by more than 35 per cent in 2023, and 120 per cent over the past three years. It’s already scooped up 10 per cent market share in Spain and Germany. Industry research shows that Millennials and Gen-Z consumers are increasingly looking for booze-free alternatives, a trend driven by factors like cost, diet, legal cannabis consumption, and a positive awareness of mental health. Supply is growing to meet this demand in the form of de-alcoholized spirits, mixes, wines and beer that, compared to products of the past, actually taste good. Better distillation and brewing techniques, sophisticated food science, and elegant bottling are creating a new world of beverages: light on calories, high on taste, with no or low alcohol, and zero hangovers.  Canadian Geographic  March 2024

No/Lo spirits, wine, cider, and beer have been “trending” for many years now.  The search for wine and beer replacements has always been there.  A number of producers began to find results after they made their wine and beer, then stripped the alcohol out and substituted the taste with other elements. Fruit, tea, spices, etc.  Suddenly, some of the replacements tasted even better than the originals.

Kurtis Kolt, sommelier and wine educator, wine judge, and co-founder of Top Drop Vancouver, has organized a second Free Spirit Vancouver.   

The first was in January of this year, when he hosted 10 vendors pouring, collectively, just under 20 brands.

Monday, Dec 8, 630-830, Heritage Hall  3102 Main Street Free Spirit Vancouver will have almost 60 producers pouring no/lo.

That, my friends,  is called “Trending” with a capital T.

Please check out the free spirit link below to see the producers’ list and to follow along with Kurtis Kolt’s interview.

Be sharp, he motors through a lot of labels and tastes.

Merry no/lo Holidays

Original feature can be found on www.TastingRoomRadio.com