FAQ

What does Native Grape actually taste of?

The grapes ensure a really fruity and fine flavour and they are the basis for the so-called fermentation aromas, which are produced in the course of the fermentation with kombucha cultures.
Native Grape White impresses with its shimmers of lemon yellow. Its fragrance reminds one of vineyard peaches and fresh grapes. The youthful flavour with a racy acid note appears light and refreshing.
Native Grape Red shines in a garnet red colour. The bouquet offers a light touch of herbs and reminds of cranberry and red wine grapes. On the palate, it convinces with a beautiful sweetness accompanied by harmonious acid and a mousse of liveliness.

Can Native Grape be compared to non-alcoholic wine?

Definitely not. Native Grape is a non-alcoholic fermented grape juice – namely the first one worldwide. Native Grape and wine have the grape and its processing into grape juice in common. To produce non-alcoholic wine, the alcohol is evaporated under a vacuum from the finished wine. In contrast, for the production of Native Grape we have found a biotechnological way to remove the alcohol during the fermentation. So the natural balance can be kept.

Where can I purchase Native Grape?

If you want to try Native Grape, you only have to click on “Source of supply” and you will find out where you can buy Native Grape in your immediate vicinity. Native Grape isn’t available in your region? Then ask in your favourite bar or your favourite shop if they are interested in adding Native Grape to their range. 
For orders to your home, you can easily order in our online shop.

What does the brand Native Grape stand for?

Native Grape is authentic, individual, has its distinct character and offers a unique taste of adventure for all that are looking for the special pleasure.
Connoisseurs who decide for Native grape are trend-conscious, live todays’ lifestyle and are value-oriented. Native Grape feels at home in Burgenland as well as in the big metropolises. It addresses the creative, intellectual individualists who are really concerned with sustainability. Native Grape addresses people who go their own way using their brain, those who have class and taste.

How are the grapes for Native Grape selected?

Just as with good wine, the grapes for Native Grape are selected in a special way and harvested with care. As Native Grape is no wine by law, its grape varieties cannot be indicated on the label. However, we can tell you that the grapes of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are best suited for the production of Native Grape ;-)

What are the ingredients in Native Grape?

Native Grape consists of 60% grape juice, which is fermented with kombucha cultures - a blend of yeasts, lactic acid bacteria and acetic acid bacteria - in the course of the production process. During the fermentation, valuable organic acids as well as carbohydrate splitting enzymes and sparkling carbon dioxide are created. To achieve an ideal interplay of sweetness and acidity and to reach consistent quality, water, citric acid and carbon dioxide is added to the fermented grape juice and then it is filled into glass bottles.

Can I enjoy more than a bottle of Native Grape?

Even in larger quantities, Native Grape can be consumed harmlessly.

Markus, how did you come up with the idea of producing Native Grape?

During my studies, I already dealt with the fermentation of different products, like yogurt, beer and, of course, wine. Looking for a non-alcoholic alternative to wine, I came across kombucha. In this more than 2000-year-old Asian process, fermented tea – sweetened with beet sugar – is produced with the help of a blend of yeasts and bacteria. My brother and I simply used grape juice instead of tea, making use of its natural grape sugar as starting product.

Which micro-organisms cultures are used for the production of Native Grape?

We deal with kombucha cultures - a mixture of acetic acid bacteria, yeasts and lactic acid bacteria. These form a symbiosis and are necessary for the fermentation process.

What does the process of fermentation look like?

Fermentation is the targeted use of friendly micro-organisms to transform foodstuff. Formerly used to preserve foodstuff, fermentation is being rediscovered in our society. Alcohol, organic acids, carbon dioxide and new interesting fermentation aromas are produced through fermentation – leading to a complex flavour, which is unique for Native Grape.

Does Native Grape contain any living micro-organisms?

With the help of yeasts and bacteria, the grape juice is transformed. After the fermentation, those are extracted by filtration. In that way, a consistent flavour, steady quality and an alcohol content of a maximum of 0.5 Vol. % can be guaranteed as there is no fermentation process in the bottle. However, the valuable organic acids and enzymes are preserved.

Why do I find sugar in Native Grape?

Sugar is absolutely necessary for the fermentation process. Natural sugar of the grapes is exclusively used for the fermentation of Native Grape. The sugar functions as nutriment for the micro-organisms. Without it, the fermentation would not work out. The remaining sugar is the natural residual sugar. Native Grape contains about 40% less calories than conventional wine or grape juice.

Does Native Grape contain alcohol?

Through the process of fermentation, inevitably a minor alcohol component is produced. The alcohol component is up to a maximum of 0.5% vol., which can be compared to the alcohol component in natural grape juice. Consequently, Native Grape can be declared as alcohol-free beverage, which can also be consumed without hesitation by children.

Does Native Grape contain sulphur?

No, it is only allowed to use sulphur in the wine production and therefore you will not find any sulphur in Native Grape.

Why is Native Grape offered in dark one-way glass bottles?

Native Grape is a high-quality natural product with a unique flavour, produced and bottled in compliance with the highest quality standards. To meet the highest requirements regarding flavour and quality standards, we have decided for disposable bottles. From an ecological point of view, the decision for one-way bottles compared to deposit bottles can be seen as a quite neutral way, as the recycling rate for glass is quite high especially in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
We use brown glass bottles as these bring a special light protection for our high-end product and so build the basis for the preservation of the flavour as well as of the natural colour.

Where does the wonderful colour of Native Grape come from?

The colour (garnet read and lemon yellow) comes exclusively from the used grapes. Native Grape does not contain any artificial flavours, nor any colours or preservatives. Neither will you find any artificial sweeteners nor any added artificial vitamins.

Is Native Grape vegetarian?

Yes, both Native Grape White and Native Grape Red are vegetarian.

Is Native Grape vegan?

Yes, both Native Grape White and Native Grape Red are vegan.