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Dubai: If tastes like wine, smells like wine, looks like wine, then it must be — something else, surely. Non-alcoholic wine actually, if you’re at the Specialty Food Festival in Dubai.
Yes, that’s the next wave of drinks, with a cork, tall glass bottle, and all. At least, that’s what some exhibitors are aiming to sell in the GCC where there are large populations of non-alcohol drinkers.
Spanish manufacturer Zahara, which was showcasing its Tavasa line of drinks at the exhibition, said there was a lack of “celebratory drinks” that are non-alcoholic. The Tavasa line is of sparkling grape beverages, mostly with fruit flavours, made to taste like champagne.
“We launched Halal products specifically for the Middle East, and we already sell our drinks to a restaurant in Dubai. We have a distributor in Kuwait, too, and we’re looking for distributors in Saudi Arabia, India, and North Africa,” a spokesperson said.
The company is also marketing its drinks to more hotels, restaurants, and clubs in the UAE after it saw strong demand for its products at Gulfood, an annual food and hospitality event in Dubai.
Similarly, French manufacturer Val de France, also exhibiting at Specialty Food, said it was marketing its products to non-alcohol drinkers in the region. The company, which sells sparkling juice made from either apples or grapes, is also positioning its drinks as healthy.
“We have an organic range, and we’re focused not just on people who don’t want to drink [alcohol], but people who don’t want added sugars. People are becoming more conscious about what they’re consuming, so we have a healthy proposition, and we see a large population of people who want to consume premium products,” said Nolwenn Ruellan, export manager at Val de France.
Yes, that’s the next wave of drinks, with a cork, tall glass bottle, and all. At least, that’s what some exhibitors are aiming to sell in the GCC where there are large populations of non-alcohol drinkers.
Spanish manufacturer Zahara, which was showcasing its Tavasa line of drinks at the exhibition, said there was a lack of “celebratory drinks” that are non-alcoholic. The Tavasa line is of sparkling grape beverages, mostly with fruit flavours, made to taste like champagne.
“We launched Halal products specifically for the Middle East, and we already sell our drinks to a restaurant in Dubai. We have a distributor in Kuwait, too, and we’re looking for distributors in Saudi Arabia, India, and North Africa,” a spokesperson said.
The company is also marketing its drinks to more hotels, restaurants, and clubs in the UAE after it saw strong demand for its products at Gulfood, an annual food and hospitality event in Dubai.
Similarly, French manufacturer Val de France, also exhibiting at Specialty Food, said it was marketing its products to non-alcohol drinkers in the region. The company, which sells sparkling juice made from either apples or grapes, is also positioning its drinks as healthy.
“We have an organic range, and we’re focused not just on people who don’t want to drink [alcohol], but people who don’t want added sugars. People are becoming more conscious about what they’re consuming, so we have a healthy proposition, and we see a large population of people who want to consume premium products,” said Nolwenn Ruellan, export manager at Val de France.
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