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The Ivy curates its first alcohol-free fine wine list

19 January 2024 By Sarah Neish

The Ivy Collection has partnered with alcohol-free wine importer Zero Zilch Zip to trial a list of no-and-low fine wines across its restaurant portfolio.

From this week, diners at six of The Ivy Collection’s restaurants will be able to choose from a list of 10 premium non-alcoholic wines.

Approved by The Ivy’s sommeliers, the alcohol-free wine list will be rolled out at 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.

The wine list, which includes a Barossa Valley Shiraz and a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a “bone-dry” Sangiovese from Chianti and a sparkling cuvée from Baden, Germany, will also offer food pairing suggestions for each of the alcohol-free wines.

Specialist importer Zero Zilch Zip, founded in 2021 by Tim Pethick, worked with The Ivy to curate the list and claims to distribute “the finest non-alcoholic wines from around the world”.

The Californian Cab is described as having “rich flavours of grilled herbs, olive leaf, black currants, red raspberry, cola nut, and liquorice, with muscular tannins and a smoky finish”.

Meanwhile, the 0.5% ABV Barossa Shiraz has “dark brooding fruits with hints of vanilla and spice” on the nose with notes of “berries and dark chocolate” on the palate.

Wines on the list are under both cork and screwcap.

Just the beginning

“There is unstoppable momentum in the non-alcoholic category and I applaud The Ivy Collection’s move to support and embrace it,” said Pethick, who adds that he has found some “exceptional non-alcoholic wines” from leading producers in the US, Australia, Germany and Italy that have “passed muster with The Ivy Collection’s sommeliers” to form the selection.

“We believe this is just the beginning, as fine dining restaurants across the UK realise the opportunity to provide choice and quality to their diners who are looking for a non-alcoholic alternative.”

Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief of the drinks business has also offered his suggestions for five of the finest low-alcohol wines. His top picks include a Chardonnay and a Syrah-based rosé from Occitanie, France, and a Sauvignon Blanc from a well-known New Zealand producer.

Those who are interested in finding out more about the growing category should also check out the results of db’s Low and No Alcohol Wine Masters blind tasting competition. You can read about all the medal winners here, which include a Prosecco, a Pinot Grigio and a Verdejo/Sauvignon Blanc blend, among others.

David Ray, director of bars at The Ivy Collection, said of the restaurant group’s new alcohol-free wine list: “We are thrilled to be able to expand our non-alcoholic range of wines with Zero Zilch Zip in the trial restaurants. It’s an exciting time for the category.”

The full list of wines to be served at The Ivy Collection include: