Raise a (no-alcohol) glass of rosé

The French have turned their expertise in winemaking towards the increasingly popular world of alcohol-free wine. So designated drivers and people looking to a healthier lifestyle are no longer stuck with fizzy drinks or fruit juice but can instead raise a glass of something rather more grown-up.

One of the most convincing bottles on the scene is Moderato’s Cuvée Révolutionnaire Rosé, a delicately floral, subtly fruity pink that captures the essence of a summer apéritif – without the booze. Crafted in Gascony from a blend of Merlot and Gros Manseng, this 0.5% ABV rosé delivers aromas of ripe red berries and smells like the real thing. A freshness on the palate and a rounded, satisfying finish complete the picture. It’s the sort of bottle that makes you double-check the label, so close is the balance between authenticity and innovation.

Moderato was founded by friends Sebastien Thomas and Fabien Marchand-Cassagne, who, determined to transform the non-alcoholic wine category, joined forces with oenologist Frédéric Brochet, a respected name in the French wine world. Between them they have developed a range that honours traditional winemaking while pushing into new territory, and which has won awards, including four medals from the Concours International de Lyon and recognition from the World Alcohol-Free Awards.

The Cuvée Révolutionnaire Rosé is the latest addition to a growing collection which includes a Colombard and a Merlot–Tannat, all made with the same attention to balance, aroma and varietal character. And with growing numbers of wine lovers opting to cut back or go alcohol-free – particularly in the summer months – this elegant rosé couldn’t have landed at a better time.

Whether you’re playing host to a sun-drenched garden lunch, packing a picnic, or enjoying an apéritif as the sun starts to set, Moderato’s rosé offers the charm of a traditional French wine, with none of the after-effects. It’s available at Majestic Wine for £14 and also through the Club Soda shop and tasting room.