Castillo de Salobrena

The name comes from Salobreña, a coastal town in Granada's Costa Tropical region, overlooked by a tenth-century Moorish castle. It's a fitting reference point: the drink has a certain old-world simplicity to it that feels at odds with the slick branding of more recent alcohol-free arrivals.

Worth noting upfront: Castillo de Salobreña is not a dealcoholised wine. It is made from grape and apple juice concentrate, which puts it firmly in fruit drink territory rather than wine alternative territory in any technical sense. The red version includes blackcurrant juice for colour and depth. Both red and white versions are non-carbonated, low in sugar, and gluten-free, available in 1-litre bottles and smaller 20cl formats.

The taste is sweet and grapey, with a mild fruitiness that works well served very cold with ice. It sits alongside food reasonably well, particularly at Mediterranean-style meals where a light, slightly fruity accompaniment makes sense. It won't fool anyone expecting something close to wine, but that is not really the point.

Industrias Espadafor is a substantial operation exporting internationally. Castillo de Salobreña is one of their most recognised products. In the UK, it is available through online specialist retailers and Amazon rather than mainstream supermarkets, which keeps it niche.

At its price point, it represents one of the more affordable options in the alcohol-free drinks category. Whether that makes it worth seeking out depends largely on what you are after. For a budget-friendly, uncomplicated non-alcoholic drink that has been quietly doing its thing for over four decades, it earns its place.