It is essential to know some fundamental principles of tasting and storage to fully enjoy these drinks. Here are the key tips:

1. Tips for tasting non-alcoholic drinks in general

Non-alcoholic drinks include a wide variety of products: fruit juices, teas, infusions, mocktails, flavored waters, kombucha, etc. Each has specific characteristics for optimal tasting.

a) Serving temperature for a non-alcoholic drink in general

• Fruit juices and smoothies: Serve chilled, generally between 8°C and 10°C. Fruit aromas are better perceived at this temperature. Avoid serving too cold so as not to mask the flavors.
• Iced teas and cold infusions: Serve between 6°C and 8°C. These drinks reveal their subtle aromas when they are not too cold.
• Mocktails: Follow the same rules as for classic cocktails. Serve between 5°C and 8°C. Adding crushed ice can cool the drink while providing slight dilution.
• Kombucha: Serve between 4°C and 8°C. This allows it to retain its natural sparkle while preserving the fermented aromas.

b) Appropriate glasses for a non-alcoholic drink in general

• Fruit juice: A wide glass or a classic juice glass, which allows you to capture the aromas.
• Teas and infusions: An elongated glass or a glass tumbler for iced teas.
• Mocktails: Use specific glasses depending on the types of mocktails you are recreating. For example, a martini glass for a sophisticated mocktail, or a tumbler for a juice-based mocktail.
• Flavored waters: Serve in transparent glasses to visually benefit from the ingredients (mint leaves, citrus fruits, etc.).

c) Discovery of aromas of a non-alcoholic drink in general

• Take the time to discover the aromas by smelling the drink before drinking it, as with wines or spirits. Many non-alcoholic drinks, notably teas, infusions or kombucha, offer a range of complex aromas.
• Some mocktails or flavored waters may contain fresh herbs or fruits that provide additional olfactory interest.

d) Support of a non-alcoholic drink in general

• Pair non-alcoholic drinks with complementary foods. For example:
• Acidic fruit juices (orange, grapefruit): They go well with light dishes like salads or fish.
• Citrus mocktails: They go perfectly with spicy dishes or tapas.
• Kombucha: Its light acidity and fermented aromas go well with sushi or salads.

2. Tips for storing soft drinks in general

a) Keeping a non-alcoholic drink cold in general

• Fresh fruit juice: Consume quickly after opening, ideally within 48 hours, and always store in the refrigerator. Freshly squeezed juices should be drunk within a day to maximize nutrients.
• Iced teas: Store in the refrigerator, ideally consumed within 24 to 48 hours after preparation to preserve flavors.
• Mocktails: If prepared in advance, store them in an airtight bottle in the refrigerator to prevent oxidation of the fruit juices.
• Kombucha: Store in the refrigerator. This drink continues to ferment even after bottling. It is best to consume it within the weeks following purchase or production to preserve its natural sparkle and probiotic properties.

b) Shelf life of a non-alcoholic drink in general

• Industrial non-alcoholic drinks (fruit juices, iced teas, etc.): They generally have a long shelf life as long as they are unopened. After opening, follow the instructions on the packaging, generally between 3 and 7 days.
• Fermented drinks (kombucha, kefir): Due to continuous fermentation, it is advisable to drink them within 1 to 2 months after opening, although they may last longer if kept cold.
• Mocktails prepared in advance: They will keep for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator, but it is best to prepare them just before serving to preserve their freshness.

c) Avoid extreme temperatures for a non-alcoholic drink in general

• Avoid leaving non-alcoholic drinks exposed to extreme temperatures, whether in the sun or in a very hot environment. This could alter their taste, freshness, and in some cases, their texture (like milk-based drinks or smoothies).

🍷 Tasting & storage tips for alcohol-free wines

Dealcoholized wines, which are gaining popularity, offer a taste experience close to traditional wines, but without the presence of alcohol. Here is a complete guide for tasting and storing dealcoholized wines, taking into account their particularities.

1. Tasting tips for dealcoholized wines

Although dealcoholized wines have aromas and flavors similar to classic wines, the absence of alcohol slightly modifies the structure and perception in the mouth. Here's how to optimize their tasting:

a) Serving temperature of dealcoholized wine

• Dealcoholized red wines: Serve between 14°C and 16°C, slightly cooler than traditional red wines (often between 16°C and 18°C). This helps better balance flavors that can sometimes seem flatter without alcohol.
• Dealcoholized white wines: Serve at a temperature between 8°C and 10°C. A white wine that is too cold could lose aromatic complexity, while a wine that is too hot could become heavy.
• Dealcoholized rosé wines: Ideally served between 8°C and 10°C to maintain freshness and lightness.
• Dealcoholized sparkling wines: Serve well chilled, between 6°C and 8°C, to benefit from their effervescence and fruity notes.

b) Appropriate glasses of a dealcoholized wine

• Use the same types of glasses as for classic wines to optimize aeration and perception of aromas:
• Red wines: Large glasses which allow good ventilation.
• White wines: Narrower glasses to concentrate the delicate aromas.
• Sparkling wines: Champagne flutes to preserve the effervescence.

c) Discovery of aromas and taste of a dealcoholized wine

• Olfaction: Take the time to appreciate the aromas of the dealcoholized wine by smelling it before drinking. The absence of alcohol can make certain aromas more volatile, so it is important to capture them upon serving.
• In the mouth: Dealcoholized wines may have a slightly different texture, lighter and less rounded due to the absence of alcohol. Some dealcoholized wines may add residual sugar or flavorings to compensate for this lack. Take the time to let the wine develop on your palate.

d) Dealcoholized food and wine pairings

• Dealcoholized red wines go well with light dishes such as white meats, grilled poultry or roasted vegetables. Avoid dishes that are too rich or powerful, which could overwhelm the flavors of the wine.
• Dealcoholized white wines go well with fish, seafood or vegetable-based dishes. Their balanced acidity often goes well with fresher dishes.
• Dealcoholized sparkling wines are ideal for aperitifs, fresh salads, fruits or light desserts.

2. Tips for storing dealcoholized wines

The conservation of dealcoholized wines requires special attention, because the absence of alcohol often makes them more fragile than classic wines.

a) Before opening of a dealcoholized wine

• Shelf life: Dealcoholized wines can be kept for several months (or even years) before opening, depending on the producer, provided they are stored correctly.
• Storage: As with classic wine, store dealcoholized wines in a cool place (between 10°C and 15°C), away from direct light and temperature variations. Avoid areas that are too hot, as this could alter the flavors.
• Position of the bottle: It is preferable to store bottles lying down, especially if they have a cork stopper, to prevent it from drying out.

b) After opening of a dealcoholized wine

Dealcoholized wines keep less long once opened than traditional wines, due to the absence of alcohol, which usually acts as a natural preservative. Here are the recommendations to preserve their quality:

• Refrigeration: After opening, store the bottle in the refrigerator. Cold slows down oxidation, allowing aromas to be preserved for longer.
• Shelf life after opening:
• Dealcoholized red wines: Keep for 3 to 5 days after opening, provided they are tightly closed.
• Dealcoholized white and rosé wines: Keep for around 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Dealcoholized sparkling wines: Consume them within 1 to 2 days of opening, as the effervescence is quickly lost.
• Use of an airtight cork: For sparkling wines, it is recommended to use a special champagne cork to maintain pressure and keep the bubbles.
• Wine pump: The use of a vacuum pump to remove air from the bottle is recommended for still wines (red, white, rosé), in order to slow down the oxidation process.

c) Signs of degradation of a dealcoholized wine

Dealcoholized wines are more sensitive to oxidation. Here are some signs that a dealcoholized wine has aged poorly or is oxidized:

• Color change: Red wines may turn brown, and white or rosé wines may turn dark yellow or brown.
• Loss of aromas: Flavors may become dull or unpleasant, with notes of vinegar or wet cardboard.
• Taste: An oxidized dealcoholized wine will have a flat, sour or unpleasant taste.

In conclusion

Tasting and storing dealcoholized wines requires specific attention to maximize their potential. Although their structure may be lighter due to the absence of alcohol, a good serving temperature and a good choice of culinary accompaniment allow their taste qualities to be revealed. In terms of conservation, they are more fragile than alcoholic wines and must be handled with care, particularly after opening, to avoid their deterioration.

🍺 Tasting & storage tips for non-alcoholic beers

How to enjoy your alcohol-free beer?

At what temperature should you drink non-alcoholic beer?

Good non-alcoholic beer is never enjoyed too cold. We avoid serving it iced for example because the palate will be numbed by the cold and you will not perceive any delicate aromas or flavors.

If your non-alcoholic beer comes out of the fridge, wait 5 to 10 minutes before tasting it so that the non-alcoholic beer can warm up slightly.

Choosing the ideal temperature depends on your location and the season, but we can recommend the following tasting temperatures, never below 5°C:

• Light non-alcoholic beer: 5°C, including light and summer beer, flavored beer, wheat beer, etc.
• Artisanal non-alcoholic beer: 8°C, this temperature is suitable for most so-called artisanal or craft beers.

Savvy tasters will enjoy tasting their non-alcoholic beer at different temperatures to compare and decide on the temperature.

Which non-alcoholic beer glass should you choose to serve?

There are many shapes of non-alcoholic beer glasses. Mugs, stemmed glasses, flutes, straight pint glasses, chalices... Each brewer offers glasses to match his creation, in addition to what you find in stores or at Sanzalc.

We recommend using a glass with a stem or handle like a mug so that the non-alcoholic beer does not overheat when it comes into contact with your hand holding the glass.

Try different glasses to see if you feel the same with the same non-alcoholic beer, the release of aroma upon contact with the mouth varies a lot between narrow glasses and wide glasses.

How to optimally store your alcohol-free beer?

Whether you want to exceed the DLUO (Optimal Use By Date) or not, it is necessary to store your alcohol-free beers in good conditions to preserve or develop their aromas and flavors. Non-alcoholic beer is sensitive to light and heat.
Also, there are 3 basic rules to respect:

• Do not expose non-alcoholic beers to light, as this directly impacts the hops present in the drink, degrading them. Since hops have preservative properties, their alteration will cause non-alcoholic beer to keep for a shorter period of time. It can also develop unpleasant tastes.
• Maintain non-alcoholic beer at a constant temperature, ideally between 10 and 15 degrees, in a cellar, like wine. Too cold a temperature will alter the aromas. Conversely, a temperature that is too hot will cause them to develop too quickly.
• Hold non-alcoholic beer vertically to reduce risks by avoiding contact between the liquid and the cap. This allows the yeast to settle quietly at the bottom of the bottle.

In France, it is legal to sell non-alcoholic beer whose minimum durability date (MDD) has passed, provided that the product does not present a danger to the health of consumers. The DDM, often indicated by the words “ to be consumed preferably before… ”, is not a use-by date (DLC). It indicates that the product may lose certain taste or nutritional qualities after this date, but it remains safe to consume. However, to sell a product with an exceeded MBD, it is obligatory to clearly inform the consumer, for example with a specific display or by indicating it on the packaging.

The merchant must also ensure that the product is still in good condition and that there are no health risks. In summary, the sale is possible, but it must be transparent and respect certain conditions to guarantee consumer safety.

In a nutshell, non-alcoholic beer does not have a shelf life but only an optimal or minimum shelf life. Therefore, the DLUO can easily exceed several weeks/months without being as long as bad.

🩺 And in any case, you must remember that this will not pose a health hazard.