Two refreshing alcohol reduced drinks with a light refreshing fizz from Germany

Two refreshing alcohol reduced drinks with a light refreshing fizz from Germany

B Secco White 5.5% ABV

This is a carbonated wine based drink (from a blend of white wines with no vintage stated). It is moderately sweet, nothing excessive. You see the bubbles immediately and there is a pleasant fizz on the palate. Nice and refreshing when chilled, flavours of apple, pear and citrus. Food pairings recommended are Asian, Fish, and Vegetarian; would do well also as an aperitif while waiting for the BBQ, or the cook,  to perform! 

As well as having low alcohol and low calories, it also has a low price tag. Both this and the rosé are widely available in Dunnes Stores, Tesco and SuperValu and other outlets for 5 euro each.

B Secco Rosé 5.5% ABV

Another “refreshing alcohol reduced drink with a light refreshing fizz” from the same stable. Quite a lot of bubbles crowd the top of the glass and the fizz is evident in the mouth. Fresh red berried fruit feature in the aromas. Fruit on the palate also, more light and slightly tart now though. It is refreshing. 

Black Tower say it  “is the perfect alternative for celebratory occasions, but with the benefits of low alcohol and low calories”. Asian Cuisine, Salads and Vegetarian Cuisine are again suggested as pairings but I think its best role, as with the white, may be as aperitif.

Black Tower? Yes, the same Black Tower that may well have introduced you to wine through its semi-sweet white Liebfraumilch, if you started back in the second half of the swinging sixties. It is a brand of the German Reh Kendermann company and a very successful one indeed. It is Germany’s most widely exported branded wine (selling over 13 million bottles in 2019).

It has expanded hugely over the decades and in 2012 launched lower alcohol still wine options with the B on the label and followed that with B Zero in 2021.  They also sell their products in various colourful formats, in 3L cartons, in 1.5L pouches and in a 330ml can, as well as in bottles of course.