Wild Idol

The brand was founded in 2021 by an English winemaking team, and development of the process took more than two years. Wild Idol's sparkling wines are produced without creating alcohol at any stage: a cryo-stabilisation process is applied to the grape must (the freshly pressed grape juice), meaning fermentation is prevented from the outset rather than alcohol being removed afterwards. The must is then blended with filtered water and natural wine vinegars to build mouthfeel and flavour, before refined carbonation brings the bubbles to over five bar of pressure.

Grapes are sourced from southwest Germany: Müller-Thurgau for the white sparkling and a blend of Merlot and Dornfelder for the rosé. Wild Idol is the first naturally alcohol-free sparkling wine to declare vintages. The range of sparkling whites and rosés is available in half bottles and magnums.

The brand reports that 70% of its customers are women seeking alcohol-free alternatives, and it draws consistent interest from sober-curious drinkers and during Dry January. Wild Idol is stocked in over 300 hotels and restaurants. On the sustainability side, corks are made from upcycled offcuts, bottles are produced with cullet recycled glass, and boxes are printed with natural soy inks. Wild Idol is a member of the 1% for the Planet initiative and donates 1% of its annual sales to environmental causes.