Posted by Solubrae
on July 29, 2026
Two beverage launches reported this week show how wine-adjacent occasions keep expanding beyond standard bottles of wine.
Man of Many reported on July 28 that Australian non-alcoholic beer maker Heaps Normal moved into wine with High Hopes, a non-alcoholic prosecco. The publication said the product took 18 months to develop and is the company's first drink outside beer.
Man of Many also reported that Heaps Normal worked with the Australian Wine Research Institute's No-Low Wine Research Centre during development. The report linked the launch to younger drinkers who are drinking less, citing Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data that showed abstention rose from 39 percent in 2007 to 73 percent in 2019 among Australians aged 14 to 17. Among 18 to 24 year olds, abstention rose from 13.1 percent to 21 percent over the same period.
In the U.S. market, Beverage Industry reported on July 28 that Riboli Family Wines expanded its Spritz Del Conte line with Hugo Spritz, a wine based cocktail, and a Non-Alcoholic Negroni Spritz. Beverage Industry quoted Riboli president and CEO Steve Riboli saying spritz demand is tied to accessibility and mindful drinking.
The launches point to a common theme: producers are building around occasions. Fizz, aperitivo hour, dinner, and celebration now have more lower alcohol and no alcohol options competing for the same moment.
For readers comparing wine style bottles with aperitivo drinks and spritzes, Solubrae explains the wine side in its guide to what alcohol-removed wine is and why it can still taste like wine.
