Torres Natureo 0.0 Garnacha Syrah

This is one of the original no alcohol wines and seems to be gathering a following as its quite widely available in the supermarkets as well as from the specialist no-alcohol suppliers.   Interestingly reviews show that it divides the people who try it pretty much 50:50.  Half say its a great find and give it a 4 or 5 start rating.  The other half hate it and rate it 1 or 2 stars.

It is certainly drinkable and has quite a grown-up taste – some depth of Ribena-like flavours offset by real tannins.  And to Torres’ credit, unlike some other makers’ offerings, it is made only from de-alcoholised wine, so no sugars, lemon, grape juice, etc added.  So on a good day I could be quite enthusiastic.  But it is rather thin.  Although Torres claim that “the alcohol is carefully removed, thus preserving its full aromas and flavour” I think that  over-states the case – this bears little resemblance to a Grenache/Shiraz wine.  And I find the cold-tea after taste a bit like drinking, well,  cold tea.