Amazing Airén Gold

Airén is a grape almost nobody puts on a label, despite being one of the most widely planted whites in Spain, and Vinada built a zero-alcohol sparkling wine around it. Bright yellow in the glass, fruity on the nose, with a soft mousse and a dry aftertaste that stops it reading as grape juice with bubbles in it. It has been in the range since 2018, making it one of the originals for the Dutch producer. Vegan, 0.0% alcohol, and better suited to the aperitif slot than to the dinner table. Salads and desserts both work, and Vinada names Morbier as a cheese pairing, which tracks given the soft texture playing against something washed rind and slightly funky. Chill it hard before pouring. Any wine that has had its alcohol removed loses some aromatic carrying power, and cold temperature plus carbonation is how you claw a good part of that back.