Alcohol-free wine brand Bolle has launched the first lees-aged de-alcoholised wine in its new Grand Reserve Blanc de Blancs. 

Founded in 2021 and introduced to the market in 2024, the brand is new to the non-alcoholic space. However, according to the founder, Bolle is interested in pushing the technology behind behind de-alcoholisation forward quickly. 

At the launch of the Grand Reserve Blanc de Blancs, founder Roberto Vanin conceded that it is difficult to make a high-quality alcohol-free wine. However, he said that the challenge is what he enjoys. 

With a background in chemistry and oenology, he said: “I’ve always enjoyed studying, and I see what I’m doing now as continuous learning, every single day.” 

This enjoyment of learning led Vanin to work on a piece of technology called Zero Gradi – patented by him – which produces only minimal alcohol in the fermentation process. 

First, in the Bolle process, the wine goes through a gentle de-alcoholisation process that removes alcohol through vacuum distillation at a low temperature. Then, the liquid goes through a secondary fermentation process, utilising the Zero Gradi technology. 

Using what Vanin calls “sleepy yeast,” the technology employs a kind of yeast that doesn’t create much alcohol when it consumes the sugar in the grape juice. This allows wine characteristics like body and mouthfeel to be built up without the high alcohol content. 

Expanding the process, the newest wine – the Grand Reserve Blanc de Blancs – is also oaked for three months before being aged on lees for eight months. 

Now in the UK market, the liquid is retailing at a premium price point of £49.99. The maker said it has notes of brioche, apricot, nuts and citrus. 

Following this launch, Vanin said that Bolle is now working on a red variety of non-alcoholic wine. 

Initially for a US audience – which Vanin explained is the company’s largest customer base – the grapes for the red wine will likely come from California, unlike the Chardonnay grapes the company is currently using, which are from Spain. 

In the trials for red wines, “We’re using Cabernet Sauvignon at the moment and also some Grenache,” Vanin said.