Looking for alcohol-free wine? Have you tried NON before? NON launched back in 2019 and is an Australian non-alcoholic wine alternative brand sold in bottle shops and served in fine-dining restaurants.
But the million-dollar question is, does it replicate the taste of cab sav or a glass of resiling? No, but it’s not meant to.
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Just a short drive from the city of Melbourne in the small suburban town of Cheltenham, NONHQ has opened its doors and now invites the public to experience their unique product at the world’s first non-alcoholic cellar door.
Can anyone book a tour?
The venue hosts intimate 10-person tours on the first Friday of every month. For $50 guests will be able to:
- Meet the makers and team behind NON.
- Participate in a flavour workshop in their on-site kitchen. Taste, smell and see all the ingredients that go into a bottle of NON.
- A behind-the-scenes tour of the production process.
- Have a taste of the range in their stunning tasting room with paired cheese and charcuterie.
- Receive a bottle of NON (RRP $29.95) to take home. For those travelling interstate, I had no trouble transporting this on my flight from Melbourne to Sydney.
Click here to book a tour of NONHQ.
How does NON differ from other non-alcoholic wine on the market?
NON merges techniques and specialty ingredients found within fine-dining kitchens. Think roasted beetroot, stewed pears, cold brew coffee and even olive brine. During the tours, you will learn all about how they source ingredients and experiment with them in the kitchen.
The best way to enjoy NON
NON can be enjoyed on its own, but shines the brightest when paired with food.
Founder Aaron Trotman first experienced food pairings with non-alcoholic drinks when was on holiday with his pregnant wife in Europe. However, once returning to Melbourne, Aaron couldn’t find anything similar. It was then at that moment that Aaron knew he wanted to change that.
Best non-alcoholic wine to shop
NON1 salted raspberry and chamomile, $29.95, David Jones
If you like sparkling wine, try Non1. It’s made with chamomile sourced and cupped by NON’s tea sommelier and perfect with cured meats or creamy desserts.
NON2 caramelised pear and kombu, $29.95, David Jones
Lightly carbonated, NON2 is great for those looking for an alcohol-free cider-like beverage.
NON gift set of 3, Currently on sale for $47.97, David Jones
This gift set is a great way to sample three of the seven NON flavours. It also includes NON7 which is the best non-alcoholic red wine option in the range. Comparable to a sangria, NON7 is rich, spiced and has undertones of coffee – a great one to serve with dinner.
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