PROXY E

PROXY E belongs to BOUCHE's Proxy range, a line of alcohol-free bottlings the Berlin producer builds on a fermented tea base rather than on grapes. BOUCHE describes the Proxys as arriving at complexity through fermentation rather than through alcohol, and positions them as a beverage category in their own right rather than as a substitute for wine. The stated design intent is that they pair with food using the same parameters as classic wine pairing: acidity, residual sweetness, tannins, and carbonation.^{[1],[2],[3],[4]}

PROXY E is made with white tea, fermented honey, sage and silverberry.^[5]

White Tea — Base. White tea forms the tea component of the blend. No further detail on origin or preparation is disclosed for this bottling.^[5]

Fermented Honey — Fermented Component. Fermented honey is declared among the ingredients.^[5]

Silverberry — Botanical. Silverberry completes the declared composition.^[5]

Appearance. The bottling is fizzy, with what BOUCHE describes as fine perlage.^[1],[5]

Palate. BOUCHE characterises the palate as elegant, complex and mineral.^[5]

Structure. Only two structural points are documented for PROXY E.^[5]

• Complexity: described as complex
• Mousse: fine perlage

BOUCHE publishes pairing guidance for the Proxy line by matching a bottling's characteristics to a dish rather than by naming individual cuvées. Among those recommendations, a Proxy with high natural acidity, clean mineral character, citrus aromas, green fruit notes and a long dry finish is directed at light starters, oysters and ceviche. For fish and seafood the producer calls for a lean Proxy with lively acidity and a hint of minerality, and specifies a white-tea-based Proxy with a floral note for monkfish. A Proxy with a slightly resinous, herbal note is proposed for roast chicken with herbs.

Specifications. Classification and format as stated by the producer:^[1]

• Category: fizzy, alcohol-free beverage in BOUCHE's Proxy line, built on fermented tea rather than grapes
• Format: 0.75L
• ABV: BOUCHE states its alcohol-free Pet Nats and Proxy wines contain less than 0.5% alcohol, comparable to non-alcoholic beer

Production. BOUCHE brews its fermented drinks in Berlin, Germany. The company was co-founded by Walker Brengel, Felix Rank and Yannic Poepperling, and its 0.75L product line comprises alcohol-free Pet Nats and the Proxy bottlings, of which PROXY E is one alongside PROXY A, B, C, D and F.