An Alcohol Free Alternative For Fizz Fans | Just Add Ginger

It's really no secret that I am a girl who loves her fizz. A discovery I made in my later twenties, I am a true appreciator of a fine prosecco or bottle glass of champagne. That was until I found myself with a growing child in my belly and unable to pop the cork on a cracking set of bubbles on a Friday night. And whereas I could treat myself on the very rare occasion, with Christmas and my 30th birthday approaching in the next few months, I want to save the two drinks I'm allowing myself for then.

I didn't even realise Tesco stocked alcohol-free offerings until last week, when MG called to let us know that she had found some alcohol free fizz during the weekly shop that she would save until we came down. Sufficiently intrigued, I awaited Saturday evening to roll round so that I could see just if this discovery would live up to the real thing.

Image: c/o Tesco

Having picked up both the Pinotage Blush and the Chenin Blanc from the Tesco Finest range, MG let me decide which to sample first as we sat down around the dining table that evening. Opting for the blush (the colour looked too tempting) and glass in  hand, as soon as the bubbles started to pop, I started to wonder just if this would fool me and be an apt substitute for what had been one of my guiltiest pleasures. I've tried alcohol free variations before and nothing has blown me away, so you can imagine how dubious I was stepping in to this experiment. 

When it comes to rosé I am normally a fan of the sweeter varieties, and the pinotage blush definitely hits you from the get go with a fruity fragrance, Not just tasting of grape, there is something behind it that rang slightly of a Brown Brothers Moscato Rosa that I adore but they unfortunately no longer seem to stock anywhere. This made my taste-buds very happy, although, after a few sips, I was still unable to quite place what it was I was tasting. Irregardless of this, it was really rather like drinking fruit juice. Glass after glass went down so well that if this had have been alcoholic, I would have been pickled very quickly. There was no snap and bite that I find with "normal" prosecco or champagne, which I must say I did miss a touch. When it came to the flavour, there was just a little something missing. 

However, there were bubbles by the dozen. Had I been at a party or get-together where I didn't want to feel left out, this definitely would have delivered. On the outset you couldn't tell this was alcohol free. It still looked like a little glass of luxury. And from an aesthetic perspective, the bottle looked really fancy too - sleek and chic, with the recognisable Tesco Finest typography and a cork to pop for an extra touch of extravagance. 

Although I wasn't 100% blown away by the pinotage blush, it served as an enjoyable alternative, and would be perfect for anybody (pregnant or otherwise) who does not or cannot drink. We've saved the chenin blanc for Christmas, and I am really intrigued to see if the white variation brings out that crispness that always takes my breath away with prosecco or champagne. Because that is something -especially after a testing day - that I do still miss. 

Both drinks are currently listed as unavailable on the Tesco website, but keep your eye out online or in-store for them if you'd like to give them a try too!