Based on insights from the Rack & Riddle and Solos white paper, "Alcohol-Removed Wine: Why Sparkling Is the Winning Format."
The no- and low-alcohol category continues to gain momentum as consumers seek greater flexibility in how and when they consume alcohol. While wine remains deeply embedded in social culture, consumer behaviour is evolving. Increasingly, people are choosing products that allow them to participate in social occasions while aligning with wellness goals, moderation habits, and changing lifestyles.
Against this backdrop, Rack & Riddle and Solos recently released a joint white paper exploring why alcohol-removed sparkling wine is emerging as one of the most promising segments within the category. The findings point to a broader opportunity for wine brands looking to expand their portfolios and connect with consumers across a wider range of occasions.
One of the biggest shifts in the beverage industry is that consumers are not necessarily drinking less. Instead, they are making different choices depending on the occasion.
A consumer may enjoy a traditional sparkling wine during a celebration, choose an alcohol-removed alternative during the week, and alternate between the two throughout the year. This behaviour is particularly common among younger consumers, who increasingly view moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle rather than an all-or-nothing decision.
For wine brands, this creates an opportunity to engage consumers in moments where alcohol may not be the preferred choice. Rather than replacing existing products, alcohol-removed wines can complement a portfolio and help brands remain relevant across more consumption occasions.
Not every wine style responds equally well to alcohol removal. Sparkling wine offers several characteristics that make it particularly well positioned within the category.
Its natural acidity helps maintain freshness and structure, while carbonation contributes texture, aromatic lift, and overall drinkability. These qualities help preserve the sensory experience consumers expect from sparkling wine, even after alcohol has been removed.
Sparkling wine also benefits from a strong connection to celebration, social gatherings, and shared experiences. As more consumers seek alcohol-free alternatives for these occasions, alcohol-removed sparkling wines allow them to participate fully in the ritual without sacrificing the experience.
For brands considering entry into the category, these advantages make sparkling wine a compelling starting point.
For many years, quality represented one of the biggest challenges facing alcohol-removed wine. Early products often struggled to maintain aroma, balance, and mouthfeel, leading many consumers to perceive the category as a compromise.
Today, advances in dealcoholization and aroma recovery technology are changing that perception.
One of the key innovations driving this evolution is Solos' patented Aroma Recovery System (ARS). Designed to capture, preserve, and restore the wine's original aroma compounds throughout the dealcoholization process, ARS helps producers maintain the character and sensory profile of the original wine.
When combined with Rack & Riddle's expertise in sparkling winemaking, these technological advances are helping redefine what consumers can expect from alcohol-removed sparkling wine. As quality continues to improve, brands have a greater opportunity to enter the category with confidence and deliver products that meet consumer expectations.
The rise of alcohol-removed sparkling wine is not about replacing traditional wine. It is about expanding the ways consumers can engage with a brand.
For wine producers, alcohol-removed offerings can help reach moderation-minded consumers, strengthen brand loyalty, and create incremental growth opportunities without disrupting core products. They can also provide a way to engage younger consumers whose purchasing habits are shaping the future of the category.
As consumer expectations continue to evolve, brands that offer both traditional and alcohol-removed options may be better positioned to remain relevant across a broader range of occasions and preferences.
Alcohol-removed wine is becoming an increasingly important part of the beverage landscape. Driven by changing consumer behaviour, improving technology, and growing demand for choice, the category is creating new opportunities for wine brands willing to innovate.
For producers evaluating future growth opportunities, alcohol-removed sparkling wine offers a combination of strong consumer appeal, technical feasibility, and occasion relevance that is difficult to ignore.
For a deeper look at the market trends, technology developments, and production considerations shaping this category, download the Rack & Riddle and Solos white paper, Alcohol-Removed Wine: Why Sparkling Is the Winning Format.
Solos brings patented aroma capture solution to fourth global market
Hallau, Switzerland, June 01, 2026 — Solos, a subsidiary of global ingredient solutions provider Prodalim and a leading innovator in true-to-source no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) beverages, today announced a new Switzerland production collaboration with Rimuss & Strada Wein AG in Hallau, expanding access to NoLo solutions for Swiss wine producers and beverage brands.
In conjunction with the launch, Rimuss & Strada has established Dealco Swiss, a dedicated dealcoholization business unit to manage commercial production and customer service. The partnership integrates Solos’ patented Aroma Recovery System (ARS) into Rimuss & Strada’s existing commercial-scale infrastructure, strengthening Solos’ European production network while bringing its aroma-preservation technology to more wine producers seeking premium NoLo quality.
“Switzerland represents an important next step in Solos’ European expansion and our vision for premium alcohol-removed wine without compromise,” said Claudia Geyer, CTO of Solos. “Through owned facilities and strong regional production partners like Dealco Swiss, we are creating a scalable platform that allows producers to meet changing consumer preferences while preserving authenticity and sensory quality.”
Powering dealcoholization is a DeAlcoTec vacuum distillation column by Centec, a Solos partner recognized for efficient, gentle alcohol removal at low temperatures. Dealco Swiss supports flexible commercial production with batch sizes ranging from 2,500L to 30,000L, alongside IFS and organic certifications and bottling capabilities across multiple formats. The new facility in Switzerland has a production capacity of 10 million liters and, together with Solos’ existing global production sites, brings the company’s worldwide production capacity to more than 40 million liters annually.
The Switzerland collaboration continues Solos’ rapid international expansion following recent launches serving Spain and California. Latin American expansion is underway.
About Prodalim
Prodalim is a global leader in juice and specialty ingredients solutions, harnessing nature’s essence to craft healthier creations. With its tree-to-table supply chain and global footprint, the company develops sustainable, innovative solutions for the food and beverage industry, making a meaningful impact for people and planet. Visit Prodalim at prodalim.com.
About Solos
Solos is a global leader in aroma recovery for premium dealcoholized beverages. At the core of its offering is the Aroma Recovery System (ARS), a patented solid-phase extraction technology that captures and reintroduces original aroma signatures to create true-to-source no- and low-alcohol wines, beer and spirits. Through a growing international network, Solos provides advanced NoLo contract manufacturing for wine, beer, and spirits, enabling producers to deliver premium products that meet evolving consumer expectations. solos-technology.com
About Rimuss & Strada
Rimuss & Strada Wein AG is a Swiss producer of wines and sparkling wines based in Hallau. The company combines winemaking expertise with advanced production, bottling, and beverage innovation capabilities serving domestic and international markets. Visit Rimuss & Strada at rimuss&strada.ch
Solos Technology is proud to announce its sponsorship of the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) No & Low Awards 2026, reinforcing its commitment to advancing quality, innovation, and product excellence across the No- and Low-Alcohol category.
Valencia, Spain, May 14, 2026 —As consumer demand for mindful drinking continues to grow, the No/Low segment is evolving rapidly, with quality, taste, and product experience becoming key drivers of success. The IWSC No & Low Awards play a critical role in recognizing excellence and setting global benchmarks for the category.
“No and Low is no longer an alternative category, it is becoming a benchmark for innovation in the beverage industry,” said Claudia Geyer, Founder and CTO of Solos Technology. “The real challenge is delivering products that meet the same expectations for quality, structure, and experience. At Solos, we work with our partners to make that possible, and we are proud to support the IWSC in recognizing the best in the category.”
Solos Technology offers a fully integrated approach to No/Low product development, combining proprietary dealcoholization and patented aroma recovery technology with deep expertise in formulation, product design, and private label solutions. This enables partners to move from initial concept to market-ready products while preserving the identity, structure, and sensory profile of the original beverage.
Working across wine, beer, spirits, and ready-to-drink formats, Solos supports both established producers and emerging brands in creating high-quality No/Low offerings, with flexible production models adapted to different scales and markets.
Products developed using Solos’ approach have been recognized across leading international competitions, highlighting the company’s role as a partner behind many of today’s successful and award-winning No/Low beverages.
“We are delighted to welcome Solos as the new sponsor of our Low & No Spirits & Cocktails Producer Trophy for 2026, which will be announced at our annual Awards Ceremony in November,” said Tris Wynne, Director of Events & Partnerships at IWSC. “As this exciting category continues to grow and innovate, we are proud to collaborate with such a leading force within the industry.”
Results for the IWSC No & Low Awards will be announced on 28 May 2026, with the annual Awards Ceremony taking place in November 2026 in Central London.
Through its partnership with IWSC, Solos Technology aims to further elevate standards in the category and support the next generation of brands bringing exceptional No/Low products to market.
About Prodalim Group
Prodalim Group, headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, is a global leader in juice and beverage ingredient solutions. With 35+ years of expertise, Prodalim drives innovation, customization, and sustainability for trend-aligned products like sports drinks, fortified waters, NoLo wines, and dairy alternatives. Serving 300+ customers in 60+ countries, Prodalim fosters growth through integrated supply chains, advanced R&D, and natural ingredients. prodalim.com.
About Solos Technology
Solos Technology provides premium dealcoholization, aroma recovery, product development, and private label solutions for No- and Low-Alcohol beverages. Working across wine, beer, spirits, and RTDs, Solos supports brands from concept to scalable market-ready production through a combination of proprietary technology and formulation expertise. Solos Technology is part of the Prodalim Group, a global leader in beverage innovation and ingredient solutions. Learn more at www.solos-technology.com/contact or contact [email protected].
About IWSC
The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) has been setting the global benchmark for quality in wine and spirits since 1969. Recognized internationally for its rigorous judging process and expert panel, the IWSC celebrates excellence across the beverage industry, including the rapidly growing No-, Low-, and Mid-Strength categories. For more information, visit The IWSC No, Low & Mid-Strength Awards.
