“What do we take? Beer or wine? » This is often the big debate before a party. Bernard loves red wine, while Nathalie prefers good Belgian beers. Without forgetting Sophie who loves sweet white wine. An aperitif that quickly becomes more intoxicating by the choice than by the alcohol. But recently a solution appeared at your favorite wine merchants: a mixture of beer and wine, la vière. Yes yes. But be careful with homemade recipes, you don’t mix beer and wine in the same glass. “Vière is the co-fermentation of grape must and beer must [les jus extraits avant fermentation]. We combine the two to age them together and create the wine,” explains Gabriel Frelet, production manager of the French brewery. Gallia.
Behind this innovation are real commercial and scientific calculations. “Wine and beer do not have the same fermentation time to create this alcohol. We must therefore anticipate to create the best aroma of the two,” adds the brewer. “Behind, we also want to work with winegrowers from France. We all love wine and beer here, we made the choice, with this range, not to have to choose. »
Two French favorite drinks in one
“In this continuity, the aim of this drink is to bring together beer and wine lovers in accordance with consumer expectations. Indeed, following various market studies, it appears that wine and beer are the two favorite drinks of the French, we have seen that the market shares of beer have only increased since 2017. At the same time, beer is the No. 1 alcoholic drink among 18-35 year olds in 2020, which is the target of this product,” explains Christopher Hermelin, the house’s oenologist. Nicholas which has just released its HIP range! made from Burgundy white wine.
“A successful mix”
But behind the idea that many young French people have tried in the evening, is the taste there? At Nicolas, they worked on a recipe “to combine the exotic, lemony and floral notes of hops with the freshness of the wine, thus creating a perfectly balanced and thirst-quenching drink,” explains Christopher Hermelin. “We have several ranges of wines, with rosé, red, white, etc. They are different tastes but they match,” says Gabriel Frelet of Gallia.
And the tasters approve in Toulouse! “It’s super refreshing. It’s a good after-work drink,” comments Vincent, 33. This merchant will not forget this first tasting. “It’s light in alcohol, [environ 6 %], it is a successful and quite fine mixture. Honestly it’s good! » As for the twins Mathilde and Blanche, barely adults, same story: “I really love beer but it can be a good combo between acidity, taste, bubbles… It’s nice, it’s original. »
A niche product
If the wine has found its consumers, they will however have to wait before enjoying it on the terrace of a bar. “It’s a niche product at the moment. Even if we have retained the best of beer and wine, it is still difficult to plan ahead,” explains Gabriel Frelet. At Gallia, in fact, it is almost impossible to find their ranges outside of their cellar and a few bars.
Don’t miss any of our wine news
“It is still too premature to take stock of the situation. We should be able to do a first one at the end of June, beginning of July with the good weather arriving and Euro 2024. In any case, being in line with current trends and consumer expectations, it’s a safe bet May she meet her success! », rejoice the Nicolas wine merchants. While waiting for their development, avoid, however, mixing beer and wine in the same glass.