Night Orient Non-Alcoholic Merlot 750ml

Night Orient is the alcohol-free brand of Univers Drink in Liège, Belgium. Arnaud Jacquemin founded the company in 2009, starting with an alcohol-free sparkling drink before adding still dealcoholized wines made with European production partners.

The producer labels it an alcohol-free drink based on dealcoholized red wine. It is made from Merlot as a wine first, then dealcoholized to 0.0%. At 20.9 calories per 100ml, it is the lightest of Night Orient's wines on calories.

Night Orient describes a fairly intense ruby color, raspberry, blackcurrant and violet, and a smooth, dense palate with a long finish. The producer says it is best drunk young and picks up spice with time.

Against Night Orient Chardonnay, the Merlot is the red, with more depth and a warmer serving temperature; for meat dishes and red-wine meals, choose the Merlot.

The producer recommends a light chill, 10 to 12°C, so take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before pouring. It says the Merlot suits almost any dish, especially meat in sauce and game.

Find more non-alcoholic wine and spirits and our cocktails, mixers and non-alcoholic drinks. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery across NYC.