Giesen 0% range extension follows strong U.S. consumer demand for New Zealand 0% Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Premium Red and Rosé
BLENHEIM, NEW ZEALAND, NOVEMBER 01, 2022 - Giesen 0% of New Zealand, the global premium brand leader in alcohol-removed wines, has announced the release of Giesen 0% New Zealand Riesling, the newest addition to their popular non-alcoholic range. Giesen 0% Riesling offers mindful wine drinkers a lower-calorie, non-alcoholic option with less than 0.5% alcohol per volume, no added sugars, and 33 calories per 5 Oz standard serving (as compared to Giesen 10.5% Riesling). Giesen Group’s extension to their premium non-alcoholic range follows the successful launch of the world’s first alcohol-removed New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in 2020, and the introduction of Giesen 0% Pinot Grigio, Premium Red and Rosé in spring 2022.
Giesen 0% is a benchmark for quality in the rising non-alcoholic beverage sector and was just named a 2022 Impact Hot Prospect Brand in recognition of notable sales growth in the U.S. The strong sales performance highlights the emergence of the ‘sober curious’ movement driven by consumers seeking quality alcohol-removed wines to match healthy lifestyle preferences.
“Giesen 0% Riesling is a response to overwhelming customer feedback to add this popular, food-friendly varietal to our core range”, says Duncan Shouler, Giesen Group Chief Winemaker. “Our new Riesling is my personal favorite from the Giesen non-alcoholic range. The fruit is sourced from Marlborough and Waipara, with Marlborough’s signature bright, citrus flavor and Waipara florals at the forefront. Riesling is such an expressive variety, and we’re able to preserve its vibrant aromatic character through our gentle alcohol removal process.”
The new Giesen 0% New Zealand Riesling features notes of lime, citrus blossom, and elderflower on the nose. The palate offers lively and refreshing Riesling character with zingy lime, ripe mandarin, and delicious sweetness, all balanced by crisp acidity to appeal to wine lovers and sommeliers seeking food-friendly pairings.
Shouler believes Giesen 0% Riesling is the closest version to its full-strength counterpart, Giesen New Zealand Riesling. The process for making Giesen 0% alcohol-removed wines begins with a full-strength Giesen wine as a base. This ensures that the final wine has the aroma and flavors expected of the full-strength equivalent. Then, through advanced spinning cone technology – which allows for gentle alcohol extraction through low-temperature, vacuum steam distillation – the aroma is first removed from the wine, followed by the alcohol. The Giesen team then blends the alcohol-removed wine, aroma essence, and a touch of grape juice to round it out.
Available as of November 2022, the suggested retail price for Giesen 0% New Zealand Riesling is $15.99. Giesen 0% wines are exclusively imported by Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits, the 2022 winner of “Importer of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards. Giesen 0% Riesling is recommended as an aperitif and offers a classic varietal structure to pair with complex dishes. Bartenders have also developed a range of non-alcoholic cocktails, such as the Riesling 0% Mojito, as a lively alternative to full-strength drinks.
For more information about Giesen 0%, including samples and interview requests with Chief Winemaker Duncan Shouler, please contact Katherine Dolecki, Elodi Bodamer, or Helen Gregory at Gregory + Vine.
Photos for editorial use are available for download here.
About Giesen Group
Founded by brothers Theo, Alex, and Marcel in 1981, family owned Giesen Group of New Zealand has been an industry leader for nearly four decades. With an uncompromising drive for quality and a strong culture of innovation, the brothers' investment in their people, vineyards, and dynamic portfolio of wines has resonated with consumers worldwide. Based in Marlborough, the Giesen family produces wine to be enjoyed at every occasion, from their highly awarded organic Clayvin Single Vineyard wines to the widely successful Giesen Estate wines and Giesen 0% range. Inspired by today's preference for mindful drinking and flavorful choices, Giesen 0% is the world's leading premium range of alcohol-removed wines including New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Rosé, Riesling and Premium Red Blend. For more information on Giesen Group, please visit http://www.giesenwines.com.
About Spinning Cone
Giesen Group is a pioneer in the non-alcohol wine category, having introduced the world's first alcohol-removed New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – Giesen 0% – in early 2020. Today, Giesen Group is leading the category investment as the first New Zealand winery to own a spinning cone unit, allowing for winemaking innovation, varietal trials and ultimate quality control. Representing an investment of over $2 million, the Giesen Group spinning cone machine gently distills wine into three layers: aroma, alcohol and body. Leaving the alcohol aside, the distinctive aroma is combined with the body of the wine to create 0% alcohol wine with as many recognizable varietal characteristics as possible. All Giesen 0% wines contain no more than 0.5% alcohol/volume, the level required for non-alcoholic beverages (comparable to the amount of alcohol that naturally occurs in fruit juice).