Ôpia

Ôpia makes its grape-based drinks without fermentation. Their taste comes from infusions and complex grape maceration. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes behind the range are grown organically in the South of France. A September 2017 announcement presented ÔPIA as the first range of 0% alcohol beverages made without fermentation from organically farmed grapes.^[1],[2]

Ôpia also states that no animal-based products are used in its production process. According to the company, it avoids the common wine-fining practice of clarifying with egg whites.^[3]

Ôpia markets the Rosé as a non-fermented, non-alcoholic wine made from Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. A photographed Chardonnay Effervescent label describes that product as an organic, carbonated, non-fermented Chardonnay grape juice. The retailer Alcofree describes the Cabernet Sauvignon as an unfermented drink that does not originate from fermented wine.^{[4],[5],[6],[7]}

Night harvest. Ôpia harvests its grapes at optimum ripeness during the night, so that cool temperatures preserve aromatic finesse.^[8]

Cold skin maceration. For the white and pink cuvées, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed, and the skins are macerated cold at around 4°C for 8 hours before pressing. The stated aim is to extract polyphenols, anthocyanins, tannins, resveratrols, minerals and aromatic headnotes.

• Chardonnay -- cold skin maceration at around 4°C for 8 hours before pressing
• Chardonnay Effervescent -- same cold maceration at around 4°C for 8 hours
• Cabernet Rosé -- same cold maceration at around 4°C for 8 hours

Hot pre-fermentation maceration. The Cabernet Sauvignon undergoes a hot pre-fermentation maceration at about 75°C. This step accelerates the extraction of colouring matter and tannins.

Maturation with seed infusions and French oak. After maceration, aromatic complexity is built by maturing with infusions of organic seeds and French oak.

• Chardonnay -- matured with organic seed infusions and French oak
• Chardonnay Effervescent -- matured with organic seed infusions and French oak
• Cabernet Rosé -- matured with organic seed infusions and French oak
• Cabernet Sauvignon -- aged with organic seed infusions and French oak

Dosage and carbonation. For the Chardonnay Effervescent, a dosage liqueur made from organic Chardonnay musts is added before bottling, which Ôpia likens to champagne production. Pressure comes from natural carbonated gas injected at low temperature, which the company says produces delicate, persistent bubbles.^[8]

Grapes. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes are grown organically in the South of France.^[9]

Production standards. The entire ÔPIA range is pasteurized at bottling by what Ôpia calls natural methods, without chemical preservatives. The company gives it a storage potential of 5 years. Ôpia states that the range is free from artificial colours, aromas, preservatives and sulfites. It also states that its grapes and production process comply with specifications set by the certifying body Ecocert. The Chardonnay, Chardonnay Effervescent, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rosé each carry USDA Organic certification. No&Low notes that the Cabernet Rosé may contain natural deposits as a result of its production method.^{[6],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12],[13],[14]}

Chardonnay. The Chardonnay shows a pale yellow hue with clear green glimmers. The nose gives acacia flower and white peach with touches of citrus and vanilla. The palate is fresh, with pleasant acidity and a very long finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep ruby red. Its nose shows jammy fruits, blackcurrant, morello cherry, vanilla and clove. The palate is dominated by fruit over a firm tannic structure. Spicy, peppery notes lead to a long, lingering clove finish.

Cabernet Rosé. The Cabernet Rosé is pale pink, bright and clear. Its nose combines redcurrant, blackcurrant and raspberry with delicate floral and spicy notes. The palate is elegant and fresh, underpinned by pink grapefruit. No&Low describes it as off-dry and clean with a crisp finish. The same retailer pairs it with summer salads, grilled vegetables and Mediterranean dishes, and suggests it as an aperitif.^[11],[15]