Wine Region: Copenhagen

(2025) I've previously rated the zero alcohol 'BLÅ'cuvée from Copenhagen Sparkling Tea 88 points, making it quite an excpetion for a wine-substitute product, most of which rate in the low 80s at best. Lyserød is being pitched as an alternative to a rosé Champagne, with its bronzey-orangy colour and flavour derived from 11 carefully selected teas, including Silver Needle, Oolong, and Hibiscus. In this class of drinks it's another winner: lots of smoky and berry aromatics, the tang of pine or birch is in there, and on to the palate a dry, smooth and quite elegant flavour, not wine like and strangely not too tea-like, but enjoyable.

(2025) Developed by Danish sommelier Jacob Kocemba, this is a blend of 13 organic teas which have been steeped at precise temperatures and intervals, then blended with a little grape must and touch of lemon juice. With zero percent alcohol, I really do prefer something like this, featuring jasmine, white and Darjeeling teas to de-alcoholsed wines. It pours a pale golden colour with plenty of bubbles, and is highly aromatic, the jasmine and floral notes are there, but also the umami and gently smoky meatiness of tea that you might expect. In the mouth it has sweetness with 50g/l of sugar given by the grape must, but also savouriness with fresh, lemony acidity to balance. Interesting in concept and execution. Watch the video for more information.