Silver Swallow is a sophisticated, non-alcoholic sparkler

The first thing you’ll notice on tasting Silver Swallow non-alcoholic sparklers is their refined palate and their very low sugar content. 

Peruse their website and you’ll learn that co-founder and CEO Genna Woolston is also very candid about the health challenges that led her to create these products.

Unlike other products that get dumped into the market to capitalize on a trend, Silver Swallow sparkling wine alternatives are expressions of a cultivated sensibility. There’s also a deep belief that being alcohol abstinent shouldn't exclude anyone from a sophisticated social experience.

The company uses a rare, hand-picked white tea from Yunnan, China as the base for its beverages called Silver Swallow. It could also do double duty to describe the experience. 

Genna and her food scientist life/business partner Andrew Roberts, have created two fermented products: one white and one a rosé. 

The blanc has, as does the rosé, rowanberry and passion fruit extracts and the flavours are delicate, mineral forward and leave no cloying sensation at the finish. The white will also remind some of kombucha with an elevated acetic acid element.

With my preferences, I enjoyed the rosé a little more with its notes of strawberry and the rounding/colouring effects of black carrot. 

Interestingly the nose unfolds in aromas of pear and rosehips and that was a bit of a surprise. That rosehip component also made itself known on the palate. 

Finally, I was supremely impressed by the quality of the Silver Swallow website. It’s smartly laid out for easy reading and the photography is both professional and arresting. You’ll also be pleased by the numerous, thoughtfully constructed mocktail recipes created for year-round enjoyment. 

If you’re someone who loves to entertain, I can only recommend these wine alternatives for those guests that are making dietary changes or are designated drivers. They’ll thank you for the introduction. 

You can purchase directly from Silver Swallow or visit Knyota, Ottawa’s specialist for non-alcoholic adult beverages. You’ll find them on Bank St. close to the Sparks Street mall.