Altina is an Australian brand dedicated to producing non-alcoholic wines. Here’s what they say about their ethos: “We remove the alcohol from premium Australian wine to create exquisite non alcoholic drinks. Then, we blend the now non-alcoholic wine with beautiful native ingredients and botanicals to enhance the varietal characteristics and add depth and complexity. We never add any sugars, sweeteners, or juice concentrate to our beverages, so each non-alcoholic wine is dry (not sweet) and low in calories.” Altina Le Blanc is one of their sparkling white wine options.
Let’s take a sip and see how well they can deliver on their promise of flavourful and dry non-alcoholic wine.
Appearance
First off, poured into a flute, Altina Le Blanc non-alcoholic sparkling white wine looks pretty classic. It’s pale yellow with little visible sediment or cloudiness. The effervescence is quite light, but remains steady. To the eye, it looks like a pleasant drop.
Aroma
Altina Le Blanc Non-Alcoholic opens with a bouquet of fresh fruits, particularly lemon and green apple. So straight off the wine gives you a bright and zesty fragrance. As you continue to inhale, more delicate herbal notes begin to emerge, such as green tea. The makers claim that there is also wattle-seed in the mix which brings a certain nuttiness, but I didn’t quite get that. However, it’s quite a unique ingredient to include in wine, so it may be that my nose is simply not attuned to it. I did get a few hints of floral notes, including elderflower, which add a layer of complexity to the nose.
Taste
On the palate, those fresh lemon and green apple tones come to the fore. They are enhanced by the light effervescence and while the body is medium-light, you do feel as though you are getting a mouthful with a bit of bite to it. The herbaceous notes come a bit later. It’s not super complex but it is well-balanced and has some nuance to it.
Mouthfeel
Altina Le Blanc has a light and smooth mouthfeel that is, with just the right amount of acidity to keep the palate engaged. This balanced acidity contributes to the wine’s overall smoothness, enhancing its drinkability. The mouthfeel is not as full-bodied as a traditional alcoholic white wine, but the clean, refreshing quality of this wine makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a light non-alcoholic tipple.
Finish
The finish of Altina Le Blanc gives you lingering notes of citrus, green apple and a few subtle herbal undertones. The aftertaste is light and while the finish isn’t as long or complex as a traditional white wine, it’s well balanced. There’s a pleasant minerality that emerges at the end of the finish, adding a touch of complexity to the wine’s otherwise fresh profile. The overall effect is one of cleanliness and clarity, leaving a refreshing, slightly tangy sensation on the tongue.
Pairing Suggestions
Given its comparative lightness and touch of acidity, Altina Le Blanc non-alcoholic wine would, I think, make a great accompaniment to seafood dishes. A glass of this alongside a prawn cocktail and bob’s your mother’s brother. I reckon it would also cut well across a cheesy pizza. And those citrus notes mean you could, if you wish, serve it alongside a lemon tart at dessert.
Overall Impressions of Altina Le Blanc
Altina Le Blanc non-alcoholic sparkling wine is a very enjoyable sip. They do manage to keep the sweetness in check – not all that common with NA wines – which I appreciate. Perhaps I didn’t quite get all the complex notes they market the product with, but nevertheless, I do feel it is a well-balanced drop, with good acidity and fresh, fruitful flavours. As a casual sip, I’m in.