Embarking on a quest for health in a world filled with clinking glasses can pose quite a formidable challenge, especially when dining out. Navigating the realm of fine dining often feels like carefully treading through a minefield of temptation, where the decision between a glass of wine and an alcohol-free alternative can leave you feeling like the odd one out at the table.
However, a breath of refreshing sobriety has swept through the dining scene, presenting a pristine solution to this age-old predicament. The Ivy Collection, renowned for its elegance and culinary finesse, has taken a courageous step towards redefining the art of indulgence without compromising one’s well-being.
Presenting a perfect union, The Ivy Collection has partnered with Zero Zilch Zip, a specialist importer and distributor of the finest alcohol-free wines from around the globe. In close collaboration with The Ivy’s sommeliers and menu development team, Tim Pethick, the founder of Zero Zilch Zip, has meticulously curated the UK’s inaugural fine wine list, featuring a selection of ten premium non-alcoholic wines available for trial at six of The Ivy Collection’s restaurants.
Starting this week, patrons of The Ivy Soho, The Ivy Chelsea Garden, The Ivy in the Park: Canary Wharf, The Ivy City Garden, The Ivy Kensington Brasserie, and The Ivy Cobham Garden restaurants will have the privilege of exploring premium alcohol-free wines from The Ivy’s comprehensive new list, expertly paired with dishes from the collection’s seasonal menus. The newly introduced wine list encompasses red, white, rosé, and sparkling non-alcoholic wines from esteemed producers such as Hand on Heart, B1654, Casa Emma Zeero, V.No, and Kolonne Null.
Tim Pethick, the founder of Zero Zilch Zip, remarks, “The non-alcoholic category is experiencing an unstoppable surge, and I commend The Ivy Collection for its commitment to embracing this trend. We have unearthed exceptional non-alcoholic wines from leading artisanal producers in the USA, Australia, Germany, and Italy, all of which have met the discerning standards of The Ivy Collection’s sommeliers to compose this remarkable list. With the assistance of Majestic Wines, The Ivy Collection is once again demonstrating leadership and innovation in this sector. We believe that this is only the beginning, as fine-dining establishments across the UK recognize the opportunity to offer choice and quality to diners seeking a non-alcoholic alternative.”
David Ray, the director of bars at The Ivy Collection, enthuses, “We are delighted to expand our range of non-alcoholic wines in the trial restaurants through our collaboration with Zero Zilch Zip. It’s an exciting period for this category, and we are pleased to provide our customers with a broader selection of non-alcoholic beverages as part of our offerings. Pairing wines selected by Zero Zilch Zip with our menu dishes is a fantastic way to cater to a diverse range of guests.”
Statistics suggest that more than 25 percent of 18 to 25-year-olds in the UK abstain from alcohol, and nearly 20 million adults are moderating their alcohol consumption by alternately choosing alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Recent years have witnessed significant growth in the low and no-alcohol sector, and this trend is expected to continue at a brisk pace. Despite this, it remains somewhat challenging to locate a non-alcoholic wine on a UK wine list, let alone a high-quality one.
Pethick adds, “Internationally, winemakers are awakening to the exciting prospects of crafting premium non-alcoholic wines. The growth and advancements in the quality of non-alcoholic wines and wine alternatives have made remarkable strides over the past few years. It will be thrilling to witness what else emerges in the coming years.”
