GIESEN Premium Red
AB +109536
Bottle: 12x750ml
Varietal: Merlot
Region: New Zealand
Alcohol: <0.5%
23 calories per 125ml serving
90 Points
Natalie Maclean
Marlborough, New Zealand
Tasting Notes
Expect delicate aromas of crushed blackberry and wild herbs in this alcohol-removed Premium Red. Crushed red berries and plum offset by toasted oak on the palate combine to give a light and refreshing option with classic structure and fine, powdery tannins on the finish.
How it’s Made
The finished product is a refreshing, off-dry style of non-alcoholic wine with low calories, containing no more than 0.5% alc/vol.
About the Producer
Giesen is a family-owned, family operated winery that was founded by three brothers—Theo, Alex, and Marcel. The three sons of a stonemason were planning to follow the family enterprise in Germany. However, on a whim (and because it reminded them of home) in 1981, while they were travelling the world, Theo and Alex Giesen purchased land and planted a vineyard just outside Christchurch. At the time it was the world’s southern-most vineyard.
Younger brother Marcel took himself to winemaking school and four years later joined Theo and Alex to start making wine from their vineyard.
From that first vintage in 1984, Giesen made Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and it was an instant hit. At the time Marlborough was little known. However, drawing on their German heritage the three brothers recognised that cool-climate winegrowing created wines with flavour. Today they’re the proprietors of 13 vineyards across the Wairau Valley subregion of Marlborough.