Review: Saint Viviana
Hello, all! I apologize for the hiatus from my usual blogging. For those of you that did not already know, I was out of town on vacation (getting engaged!!)! Fortunately, this vacation did give me an opportunity to visit a non-alcoholic bottle shop that I’ve spent months admiring from afar – The Open Road in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! I also picked up some new goodies, specifically Saint Viviana.
Before we get into the wine review, I have to tell you all about this amazing bottle shop. Imagine every non-alcoholic brand you’ve ever wanted to buy in one place. Imagine shelves and shelves of new alcohol alternatives anxiously awaiting discovery. Imagine a fridge full of pre-chilled, ready to drink beverages waiting to be opened. Doesn’t that sound like a dream?! Well, I’m here to tell you it can be your reality (see pictures below). Stores like this exist all over the country – you just have to find yours!
The Open Road was the first non-alcoholic bottle shop that I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. I was like a kid in a candy store, or honestly a newly sober adult in a candy store (I’m sure any of my fellow, newly sober friends can relate because the sugar addiction is REAL). Anyway, as I was saying, these bottle shops are the perfect stop on any sober or sober curious journey. I was actually quite overwhelmed, to be honest. Since the alcohol alternatives market is still fairly new, most of us aren’t used to so many options. For anyone that’s a bit on the indecisive side, I recommend bringing a friend and/or going in with a plan. I would also suggest setting a spending limit, because I could spend thousands of dollars in that store. Options are awesome, but they can add up quickly ($$$). While I adore this store and will definitely be going back, I’m happy that I don’t live close by (as is my fiancé).
I was so excited to try Saint Viviana because I’ve been seeing it all over Instagram lately! The BOHO bottle design really caught my eye. It’s simple, but very well done. I also like that the labels are basically the same for both bottles, except in color.
Saint Viviana – Cabernet Sauvignon
First up is the Saint Viviana Cabernet Sauvignon. First impressions – it looks and smell like a Cab. I don’t really get any sweetness in the smell, which is always a good sign (for me, at least). My first sip and I’m impressed. It actually has a dry aftertaste, which is so hard to find in alcohol-free wines! I think the bottle describes the flavor best: “This Cabernet has a bright nose of ripe blackberry and plum.” The flavor does seem bright at first with some deeper fruit flavors, then the richness of the “coffee, vanilla, and toast notes round it out.” The taste does linger in your mouth, as with most alcoholic red wines.
Overall, this is one of the better alcohol-free red wines I have tried! I could actually see it pairing well with a nice steak (one of my essential criteria for cabernets). After researching the wine a bit more, it’s no wonder I like it so much since it’s from the Paso Robles region, which was my go-to when I was drinking. Another bonus is the low calorie content – at 30 calories per bottle and less 0.5% alc. by volume, you can drink this entire bottle completely guilt free.
Rating: 8.5/10
Price: $29.00
Store: Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop (The Open Road in Pittsburgh, PA)
Saint Viviana – Sauvignon Blanc
On to the Sauvignon Blanc! Color wise, it looks accurate as a very light yellow. WOW – this smells just like the real thing! I’m honestly not sure if any NA wine has enticed me as much as this one, purely by smell. The aroma is very fruity, like most Sauv Blancs. I’m getting hints of grapefruit and other citrus. While it tastes very fruity, it’s still somewhat dry. It’s definitely not overly sweet. It’s crisp and fresh with the taste once again lingering in your mouth, making you crave that next sip.
I’m a big fan of this! It’s probably one of the best alcohol-free Sauvignon Blancs I’ve tried! To put it in perspective for anyone that is still drinking alcoholic wine, it’s a bit less aggressive than a typical alcoholic Sauv Blanc. I would compare it to drinking an alcoholic (“normal”) Sauvignon Blanc with ice in it – a touch watered down, but not enough to take any of the flavor away. So if you typically put ice in your Sauv Blanc or cut it with some soda water for more of a wine spritzer, I think you’ll love this wine from Saint Viviana! I would also recommend this to anyone new to non-alcoholic wines. It’s still the same taste and the same fruity aroma, just a bit toned down. (Disclaimer - this is true in comparison to real, alcoholic wine, not other alcohol-free options).
Rating: 9/10
Price: $29.00
Store: Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop (The Open Road in Pittsburgh, PA)
Overall, I would happily buy both of these wines again (and I hope eventually they will come to a store near me)! If you haven’t had a chance to try Saint Viviana, definitely add it to your list! I’m sure they will only continue to grow in popularity! And if you’re ever in Pittsburgh, stop by The Open Road!