Will non-alcoholic wine save the winemakers? | DW Documentary

Wine consumption is declining in Europe. This poses a threat to European wine-growing regions. Winemakers in Spain and Germany are seeking a way out of the crisis by producing alcohol-free wine.

Many people want to live healthier lives. As a result, alcohol consumption in Europe has declined: by a good 20 percent, over the past 20 years. It’s a trend that also impacts wine: Experts warn that nearly a third of Germany’s vineyard acreage could disappear in the coming years. Particularly affected are the labor-intensive steep slopes. These slopes produce distinctive wines, shape the cultural landscape and attract tourists.

Jürgen and Luca Dahms share their love of wine. Yet their perspectives also diverge. Father Jürgen, a winemaker, stands for classic, traditional wine enjoyment, while Luca, who works in the insurance industry, has found surprising success marketing alcohol-free wines. Both see an opportunity to preserve threatened vineyards by de-alcoholizing wines.

In Spain, in the historic wine region of Toro, winemaker Iván Alonso Gil is undertaking a bold experiment. His full-bodied red wines come from ancient vines. Can they still taste great without alcohol? Iván is having a few bottles of his wine de-alcoholized in Germany using a special process that includes aroma recovery. But will he recognize his own wine afterward? And could this be a project for the future?

#documentary #dwdocumentary #dwdocs #wine #spain #germany
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