Big news at Gnarly HQ this week as we have just received our first ever delivery from Danish alcohol free wine proxy pioneers ARENSBAK.
Founded in 2020 by Christian Arensbak, ARENSBAK was born out of a desire to create a non-alcoholic beverage that possesses the complexity, structure, and vinosity of fine wine without simply removing alcohol from a finished product. Instead of de-alcoholising wine, ARENSBAK builds flavour from the ground up using fermentation science and the New Nordic culinary philosophy.
Developed and crafted by Emilie Øst-Jacobsen, ex-sommelier of two star Michelin restaurants Kong Hans Kælder and Alchemist, and Bram Kerkhof, ex-sommelier of three star Geranium and one star 108, this is AF with some serious pedigree!
The foundation of ARENSBAK is three premium Chinese teas; fresh and elegant Wuniuzao Longjing tea from Zhejiang province, floral and citrusy Tie Guan white Oolong tea from Fujian province, and smoked black tea Gong Ting Palace Shu Puerh from Yunnan province.
These teas undergo an initial forty day fermentation to develop a deep umami base and refined structure before an exotic menu of botanicals including marigold flowers, gooseberries, lemongrass, juniper berries, sour cherries, dried mushrooms and oak is added for a second fermentation that lends the finished proxies their complex aromas and flavours.
Primarily listed and sold at Michelin starred restaurants across Europe, we are thrilled to be able to retail the truly game-changing ARENSBAK in the UK for the first time.
ARENSBAK Effervescent (£21): Gorgeous alcohol free sparkling wine proxy with a complex fermented tea base of Wuniuzao Longjing from Fujian selected for its early sprouting and naturally sweet spring leaves. To this is added peach, gooseberries and lemongrass. Vivid, herbal flavours, delicate bubbles and a velvet texture.
ARENSBAK Sparkling Rosé (£21): Alcohol free sparkling rosé proxy made with Wuniuzao Longjing tea from the misty hills of Zhejiang as well as raspberries, hibiscus and rose pepper. Elegant, mouth-filling bubbles carrying flavours of summer berries, fragrant spice and light oak.
ARENSBAK White (£19): Alcohol free white wine proxy made with a rare fermented tea base of Wuniuzao Longjing from Fujian, organic white Oolong from Fujian and an array of flora and fauna including quince, melon and lemon thyme. Floral, bright and dry with great texture and a touch of tannin on the broad, savoury finish.
ARENSBAK Red (£19): Complex alcohol free red wine proxy made with Shu Puerh tea from Yunnan, chokeberries, blackcurrant, sour cherries and dried mushrooms. Fllavours and aromas of late Summer berries, liquorice and oak spice and an umami, Beaujolais-esque forest floor quality.