Giesen 0% Dealcoholized Chardonnay

Giesen's 0% Dealcoholized Chardonnay is a Marlborough, New Zealand white made as a wine first and then stripped of its alcohol, so it comes in at 0.0% ABV. Removing alcohol takes away some weight and warmth, so expect a lighter, leaner body than a conventional Chardonnay. The fruit and structure of a still white wine are still there. Marlborough Chardonnay typically leans toward stone fruit such as peach and nectarine, with citrus and a touch of green apple. Any creamy or toasty character from oak or lees contact is usually subtle in this style, if present at all. Giesen doesn't list tasting notes here, so treat those descriptors as what the style tends to deliver, not a measured profile of this bottle. Dealcoholized wines are usually crisp, with acidity doing most of the structural work that alcohol would otherwise share. Whites have no real tannin to speak of, so the mouthfeel comes from acidity, residual fruit and any texture left over from winemaking. The finish tends to be shorter and cleaner than in a full-strength Chardonnay. That makes it easy to pair with food and unlikely to tire the palate over a meal. Serve it well chilled, around 6 to 8°C, which keeps the acidity bright and the fruit fresh. Warmer than that, the flavors can turn flat or slightly sweet. There is no need to decant it. Pour it straight from the fridge into a standard white wine glass or a modest Chardonnay glass with a moderate bowl. That is enough to gather the aromas without letting them drift away. A flute is too narrow for it, and a large red wine bowl will let the delicate fruit fade. At the table, think of the foods that suit unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay. Roast chicken, grilled white fish, prawns and scallops with lemon butter, creamy pasta, risotto with herbs and mild soft cheeses such as brie or fresh goat's cheese would all work. Its acidity also helps with fried foods and salads with a light vinaigrette. This is a bottle to drink soon after purchase. Dealcoholized wines are made for freshness, not for cellaring, so there is no reason to hold it. Once opened, reseal it and keep it in the fridge, and finish it within a day or two while the fruit is still lively.