The low-down on low/no alcohol with Intervine
Giesen Winery offers an extensive lineup of alcohol-free wines (left), Amy Jullien, Corporate Vice President, Intervine (right)
Intervine has made headlines in recent months for innovative partnerships on paper packaging and now, it is highlighting its charge in another space—low and no-alcohol beverage alternatives for inflight consumption.
Amy Jullien, Corporate Vice President, Intervine, tells PAX International, “More people are giving no/low alcohol drinks a try and while on a flight or cruise is the perfect time.”
She notes that while some people might want to give low or no-alcohol drinks a try for the flavour, others refrain from alcohol for religious restrictions, medical conditions, or lifestyle choices.
“We understand that passengers have diverse palates and needs, and our non-alcoholic options ensure everyone can enjoy a flavourful drink during their flight.”
Intervine no/low alcohol partners
Intervine is working with several brands that are putting innovative alcohol-free and low-alcohol beverages at the forefront including Giesen Winery, Bottega 0, and The Free Spirits Co.
“What we love about these products is that they can be enjoyed by such a broad audience,” Jullien says.
Giesen Winery offers an extensive lineup of alcohol-free wines called Giesen 0%. They include a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Rosé, Riesling, Sparkling Brut and a Premium Red. Giesen advertises its Giesen 0% New Zealand Premium Red as having 18 calories per 100 milliliters and 70 percent fewer calories than a 12.5 percent alcoholic wine equivalent.
Meanwhile, Bottega 0 is Bottega’s contribution to the low, no alcohol movement.
“Intervine has enjoyed a long history of work with Bottega Spa Winery & Distillery in Italy and their still and sparkling wines have had long-standing placements on various airlines over the years,” Jullien explains. “Bottega has a line of non-alcoholic drinks including a sparkling white & rosé, Limoncino 0.0, and an Elixir Zero NA bitter.”
And with a lineup of award-winning non-alcoholic spirits, The Free Spirits Co. offers NA tequila, bourbon, gin, vermouth rosso and a bittersweet aperitif that is comparable in uses for alcoholic drinks like Aperol, Campari or Cappelletti.
“Their product line was created by cocktail people for cocktail people who want to reduce or eliminate alcohol in their enjoyment of a drink,” says Jullien.
Serving low/no alcohol alternatives inflight
While none of these up-and-coming low, no alcohol products are currently on Intervine’s airline client beverage menus, Jullien says they are ideal for an inflight environment.
“Passengers on airlines and cruise lines enjoy low and no-alcohol beverages during their travels for various reasons,” she explains, citing health and wellness, religious beliefs, and improved arrival experiences as a few of the common reasons passengers may gravitate towards a non-alcoholic beverage inflight. Some passengers might refrain from consuming alcohol inflight because of the heightened effects it can have on the body, especially if they eat less inflight and want to avoid feeling intoxicated. These travellers may appreciate a low or no-alcohol drink during the flight to enjoy the flavour of a cocktail or wine without the lingering physical effects.
Jullien adds that the quality and flavour of non-alcoholic drinks have improved significantly in recent years, making them a very appealing option with broad audience appeal for the travel industry.
More than trending
The move towards no-alcohol alternatives becomes increasingly important when considering reports that Gen Z is consuming less alcohol than millennials, Gen X, and Boomers did in the past. Interestingly, there is also a 10 percent decrease in alcohol consumption among 18- to 34-year-olds in the last two decades, suggesting this is not a short-lived trend.
Jullien added that “Team Intervine believes the no/low alcohol segment of the beverage industry is here to stay, not a fad for a couple of reasons; consumer preferences are shifting to prioritizing wellness and mindful consumption of alcohol, and the range of exciting, flavorful NA wines, spirits, beer, and RTDs is appealing to an ever-wider growing audience.
