Sommelier-suggested options for wine-like beverages without alcohol content
In the heart of Stuttgart's west end, a new addition to the city's culinary scene has emerged. Sommelier and restaurant manager, Gabriela Urbacher, along with her business partner Marcel Truckenmueller, recently opened the Kabi Weinbar. This innovative establishment offers a unique twist – an extensive selection of alcohol-free options for aperitifs, food pairings, and after-dinner drinks.
The Stuttgart Weindorf, a renowned wine festival, is not left behind in this trend. While it does not offer alcohol-free wine alternatives from the region, it does cater to those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages. Gabriela Predatsch, a well-known sommelière, has created a small but fine anti-alcoholic Weindorf guide this year.
Predatsch has tested the non-alcoholic wine options at the Stuttgart Weindorf and found them to be a hit. Some booths offer alcohol-free wines or sparkling wine, while others provide water and juice spritzers for non-drinkers. The Spelunkerei-Laube on Schillerplatz is a standout, offering alcohol-free alternatives that work well in a wine bar setting.
The increasing availability of alcohol-free wine alternatives is a significant topic in the gastronomy industry. In fact, alcohol consumption in Germany, particularly among young people, is on the decline. This trend is reflected in the growing number of restaurants offering refined alcohol-free drink alternatives.
However, not all booth operators at the Stuttgart Weindorf have embraced this trend. Some only offer products they are 100% behind, and they haven't found any alcohol-free wine alternatives from the region yet. Nevertheless, the topic of non-alcoholic beverages is trending, and it seems only a matter of time before more options become available.
The Kabi Weinbar, open all year round, is a testament to the growing demand for alcohol-free options. Its success at the Stuttgart Weindorf underscores the fact that this is more than just a fleeting trend – it's a shift in consumer preferences that the industry cannot ignore.
