Fre Alcohol Removed Cabernet Sauvignon

Fre's Alcohol Removed Cabernet Sauvignon starts as a California Cabernet Sauvignon that is made into wine and then dealcoholized. It is labeled at 0.5% ABV, so it is not strictly alcohol-free. The grape is known for blackcurrant, black cherry and plum, and the brand's own description points to dark-fruit character, so expect that to lead. Cabernet also commonly brings cedar, a green-pepper or herbal edge, and a hint of tobacco or spice. Take those as typical of the variety rather than a measured profile of this bottle. Removing alcohol changes the structure of any wine. Dealcoholized reds are usually lighter and less weighty than their full-strength versions, with a shorter finish and less warmth at the back of the palate. The tannin and acidity can therefore stand out more, so the wine can taste drier and more grippy than the fruit alone suggests. This is the main reason to serve it with food and at the right temperature. Serve it lightly cool, around 13 to 16°C (mid-50s to low 60s °F). Thirty to forty minutes in the refrigerator is enough for a bottle kept at room temperature. Too much chill sharpens the tannin, and a warm room makes the fruit taste flat and jammy. Decanting isn't needed, since there's no aged sediment to separate and no tight young structure to loosen. Pour it into a Bordeaux-style glass or any medium-large red wine glass, filled about a third full so the dark-fruit aromas can collect. The tannin and acidity suit fatty, savory dishes: grilled steak, burgers, braised short rib, lamb chops, and mushroom dishes with plenty of umami. Aged hard cheeses like cheddar or Gouda and a slice of dark chocolate also work. It is a drink-now bottle with no reason to cellar. Once opened, reseal it and keep it in the refrigerator. Finish it within a few days, as opened dealcoholized wines tend to lose their fruit quickly.