UAE | Health

Halal wine anyone?

Muslims and non-drinkers who may have felt left out at parties can now raise a toast with ‘halal' wine and champagne

  • By Faisal Masudi, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 February 23, 2012
  • XPRESS

  • Image Credit: © XPRESS/Pankaj Sharma
  • Visitors to Gulf Food said the halal ‘wine’ tasted like the real deal

Dubai Muslims and non-drinkers who may have felt left out at parties can now raise a toast with ‘halal' wine and champagne.

Zero-alcohol drinks companies at the Gulfood show in Dubai this week said these beverages, which taste and look like regular drinks, are quite popular among Muslims and also health and safety conscious non-Muslims who like to party without getting drunk.

"If you don't drink, but at the same time don't want to feel left out at parties, our non-alcoholic drinks are just right," said Rashid Gacem, a businessman behind Belgium's Night Orient brand of alcohol-free festive drinks.

A couple of visitors who tasted the ‘Black label' grape-must ‘Champagne' and Chardonnay French ‘wine' said they tasted similar to real liquor.

Another ‘celebration drinks' brand offering "all the fun without the alcohol" — UK's Pure Heaven line — is doing well across religions and age groups, said Dr Rami Ranger, chairman of brand owner Sun Mark.

Drink to bird spit

A drink containing bird spit and nest flakes leaves you healthy and glowing, according to Singapore refreshments brand Kim. Saliva used in nest-making by swallows or swifts is available in bottled form, said Kim's international sales director, Christine Lim.

She told XPRESS, "Everybody loves it, especially the ladies, because it makes your skin beautiful."

Kim, which costs about $2.30 (Dh8.5) a bottle, is now eyeing a foothold in the UAE.

Comments (6)

Share your views

  1. Added 14:31 February 23, 2012

    We never felt left out at parties. we are satisfied with the halal food.

    Mohamed Saleem, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 13:57 February 23, 2012

    Don't think this does any good to the muslim community. Toasting is associated with alcohol and not normal drinks. Why come up with an idea like that and make a big hype, when you can just have a soft drink????

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 12:56 February 23, 2012

    I don't think Muslims need to search for an alcohol substitute. I do beleive you take a pure glass of water and act like you are drinking alcohol. I beleive Muslims should refrain from all replica's of Haram things as well.

    Mujeeb, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 12:00 February 23, 2012

    I don't get it. You feel left out at parties and Halal Wine comes to rescue which is tastes like the real thing but has no alcohol... wouldn't it be the same thing, if at such parties you go for soft drinks or juices in the first place? there is WINE and then there is GRAPE JUICE... there is nothing called HALAL WINE!

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 10:55 February 23, 2012

    please dont write this kind of news. anyone will think that this is an advertisement.

    mansoor, rak, United Arab Emirates

  6. Added 08:13 February 23, 2012

    I dont think this is a healthy issue. I feel this is just dragging muslims and non-drinkers in a wrong way.

    Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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