Editor's letter

Welcome to the latest issue of Just Drinks magazine

Wine, the laggard of alcohol-free, is slowly starting to make inroads. 

Left behind as spirits and particularly beer have tapped into the growing interest in moderation (or giving up alcohol entirely), wine has suffered from a lack of blockbuster brands and the challenge of actually making non-alcoholic options. 

However, the quality of alcohol-free wine is improving and demand is starting to build. What’s needed now, as Chris Losh reports in this issue, is support from the off- and on-trades. 

Elsewhere, we speak to the managing directors of Moma Foods (about oat milk’s growth in a stagnant UK alt-dairy market) and of Highland Spring (about the ESG scrutiny facing bottled water). 

Finally, we unpack the rising demand for aseptic packaging formats and hear about the buzz for ‘clean label’ energy drinks.

Dean Best, managing editor