Brut Dargent is a well-established French sparkling wine brand, and Free is their dealcoholised entry. What sets it apart from a technical standpoint is the de-alcoholisation method: vacuum distillation via centrifugal cone column, a 30-hour process that removes alcohol without heat or chemical addition. The result is a wine that retains more of its original aromatic structure than most, and it shows. 100% Chardonnay gives it a recognisable character — white flowers and citrus on the nose, clean and direct without being simple. The palate is creamy and soft, with a good mousse and more body than you'd expect from something sitting at 0.5% ABV. The finish is longer than most AF sparkling wines manage. At around £7 a bottle it's one of the more affordable options in this style, and the quality-to-price ratio is solid. Available at Frazier Jones Wine and independent retailers. If you've been put off by AF sparkling wines that taste thin and one-dimensional, the Free Chardonnay is worth trying as a counterpoint.