Favourite International and Austrade Sri Lanka launch premium alcohol-removed wines

From left: Favourite Group Chairman Kumar Mirchandani, Austrade Director – Trade and Investment Shameel Javadh, Australian High Commissioner Paul Stephens,  and Favourite International Director/Head – Alcobev and FMCG Rajan Dushyanthan

Favourite International, in collaboration with Austrade Sri Lanka, has launched Edenvale, a line of alcohol-removed wines. 

The global market for alcohol-removed wines is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing consumer demand for healthier, non-alcoholic beverage options. 

Edenvale, a leading Australian brand, is at the forefront of this trend, providing a premium range of alcohol-removed wines that do not compromise on taste or quality. The partnership between Favourite International and Austrade aims to bolster the category’s leadership through strategic distribution growth and consumer awareness initiatives.

Speaking about alcohol-removed wines, Favourite International Director/Head – Alcobev and FMCG Rajan Dushyanthan said: “Dealcoholised wine starts as regular wine before undergoing a meticulous process to remove most or all of its alcohol content. The first step is to select quality wine that is then put through a distilled-vacuum process to extract the alcohol while maintaining the main flavours and taste profile of the wine; which is fruity, fresh and featuring light flavour. Unlike non-alcoholic wine, which contains no alcohol from the start, dealcoholised wine retains the rich flavours and aromas of traditional wine. Alcohol removal typically involves techniques like reverse osmosis, where high pressure and a semipermeable membrane separate alcohol and water from the wine’s essential elements. The alcohol is then distilled from the water, and the alcohol-free water is recombined with the wine’s other components, resulting in a product with less than 0.5% alcohol.”

Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) Consul – Commercial and Trade and Investment Commissioner John-Southwell added: “We are proud to see the launch of Australian alcohol-removed wines in the Sri Lanka market. We are sure that Sri Lankan consumers would welcome and look for a similar taste experience to traditional wines but without the alcohol content. Australian businesses are at the forefront of innovation in the dealcoholised beverages segment. Austrade has been creating awareness on such Australian premium beverages to further strengthen Australian exports to Sri Lanka.”

Edenvale Beverages is a trailblazer in alcohol-removed wines and offers an extensive range of varietals including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Using patented spinning cone technology, Edenvale has refined its techniques to produce wines that maintain the integrity of their alcoholic counterparts. 

Favourite Group Chairman Kumar Mirchandani speaking at the event said: “The demand for non-alcoholic beverages is booming globally, with the segment expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 7% from 2023 to 2027. This growth is driven by a global shift towards health and wellness, new social occasions, and a focus on social responsibility. Non-alcoholic beverages are becoming a staple on beverage lists across the hospitality and retail sectors. We at Favourite International see great potential for this segment in Sri Lanka. With the country becoming more accessible to tourists and locals increasingly conscious of their health, it is the perfect time to introduce Edenvale’s alcohol-removed wines.”

Favourite International has a rich history of importing premium beverages into Sri Lanka. This new partnership with Edenvale, facilitated by Austrade, underscores Favourite International’s commitment to introducing innovative products that meet the evolving preferences of Sri Lankan consumers.