Alcohol-Free Set "Zero Hero"

Six bottles, plenty of variety, low in alcohol

Conscious enjoyment has made a major leap forward in the Cape in recent years: renowned wineries are gently removing the alcohol from their wines in a vacuum, preserving fruit, freshness and structure, while others are focusing on light, playful sparkling wines with significantly less alcohol. The Zero Hero Set showcases this range, from Graham Beck's de-alcoholised sparkling wine to Leopard's Leap's Natura trio and two light creations with a typically South African twist: Warwick's Tea Garden with rooibos and Van Loveren's Papillon Mimosa with orange. Four sparkling and two still bottles prove that a conscious evening doesn't have to mean compromising on style. Ideal for hosts who want to pour something special for all their guests, for brunch, a sports break or Dry January, and as a gift for anyone who wants to raise a glass in a lighter yet still enjoyable way.

The six bottles in the set

• Warwick The First Lady's Tea Garden From the historic Warwick winery on the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, a first in its category: Pinotage rosé combined with a rooibos infusion. Lightly sparkling, juicy and refreshing, with just 5% ABV. Made for brunch and long summer afternoons.
• Graham Beck Allure NV From the house that made South African Cap Classique famous, created under the supervision of Cellar Master Pieter Ferreira. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, floral notes of red apple, peach and apricot, with lime-like freshness and fine effervescence. Remarkably close to a classic sparkling wine.
• Van Loveren Papillon Mimosa From the Van Loveren family winery in Robertson, the latest addition to the Papillon range: a lightly sparkling wine made from Chenin Blanc and Colombard, enhanced with orange. Juicy orange, delicate apricot and a hint of honeyed lemon, harmoniously sweet. A brunch classic straight from the bottle, with around 9% ABV—lighter than classic sparkling wine.
• Leopard's Leap Natura Classic White From Franschhoek, a blend of Chenin Blanc and Muscat. Crisp and refreshing, with tropical fruit and a harmonious palate. Vegan and significantly lower in calories than classic wine.
• Leopard's Leap Natura Classic Red Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified gently and with minimal intervention. According to Cellar Master Renier van Deventer, remarkably close to a real red wine, with fine tannins and noticeable structure. Vegan.
• Leopard's Leap Natura Sparkling The latest addition to the Natura range, like the house's Culinaria MCC, made from Chenin Blanc. Crisp, with tropical fruit and fine effervescence. Makes bubbles possible for breakfast, at the beach or after a long lunch.

At a glance: 6 x 0.75 l bottles, four de-alcoholised sparkling and still wines (under 0.5% ABV) and two light sparkling wines with rooibos (5% ABV) and orange (around 9% ABV), from South Africa, ranging from dry to fruity and sweet. Best served well chilled at 6 to 8 degrees, with the Natura Classic Red lightly chilled at 12 to 14 degrees.

Vinification

• Warwick The First Lady's Tea Garden: 58% rooibos, 42% Pinotage rosé. Early harvest at low sugar levels, minimal skin contact for the light colour. Fermented in stainless steel, then blended with a rooibos infusion and carbonated during bottling. 5% ABV. Western Cape (Warwick Estate, Stellenbosch).
• Graham Beck Allure NV: 76% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay. Base wine vinified classically, then gently de-alcoholised. Around 4.5 bar of bottle pressure, under 0.5% ABV. Western Cape (Graham Beck).
• Van Loveren Papillon Mimosa NV: Chenin Blanc and Colombard, made into a lightly sparkling wine and enhanced with orange aromas. Fruity and sweet style, around 9% ABV. Robertson (Van Loveren).
• Leopard's Leap Natura Classic White: Chenin Blanc and Muscat from cool vineyards. First vinified as wine, then de-alcoholised using a spinning cone in a vacuum at low temperature. Under 0.5% ABV, vegan. Western Cape (Leopard's Leap, Franschhoek).
• Leopard's Leap Natura Classic Red: Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon. Vinified with minimal intervention, de-alcoholised only after the wine has reached the desired quality. Spinning cone in a vacuum, under 0.5% ABV, vegan. Western Cape (Leopard's Leap, Franschhoek).
• Leopard's Leap Natura Sparkling: 100% Chenin Blanc. De-alcoholised by vacuum distillation at low temperature, bottled under pressure with finely dosed carbonation. De-alcoholised, vegan. Western Cape (Leopard's Leap, Franschhoek).

Pairs with: Brunch, pancakes with fruit, Eggs Benedict, aperitifs, sushi, prawns, fish tacos, goat cheese, chicken, summer salads, light pasta dishes, berry desserts and any occasion where lightness and enjoyment go hand in hand.