Sometimes it takes something other than wine to remind me what I love about drinking wine.

That was my experience with Marabela Wild Verbena, a zero-proof sparkling tea from the Valdemar family. A sample recently came my way, prompting me to consider what makes a satisfying alternative when I’m taking a night off from wine.

As it turns out, the answer involves more than what’s in the glass.

Disclosure: I received this product as a media sample. All opinions are my own.

An Alternative to My Usual Alternative

Wine is an enjoyable part of my life, particularly at the table. But I typically take a day or two off from alcohol each week.

On those evenings, kombucha is my go-to. I find it satisfying in a way that the non-alcoholic wines I’ve tried haven’t quite managed. I’m open to discovering one that changes my mind, but after tasting Marabela, I have another option.

A sparkling tea doesn’t have to recreate a favorite wine to earn a place at my table. It simply has to offer an experience I want to return to. This one did.

A Winemaking Family Turns to Tea

Marabela was created by siblings Ana and Jesús Martínez Bujanda, the fifth generation of the Valdemar family, whose winemaking history in Rioja dates to 1889. Their wineries include Bodegas Valdemar in Spain and Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, Washington, which opened in 2019.

The siblings chose tea as the foundation for an alcohol-free beverage intended for the table. Its aromatics, tannins, texture, and freshness offer familiar points of reference for wine lovers.

According to the producer’s materials, Wild Verbena combines organic Sencha and Chun Mei green teas and White Peony white tea from China with Moroccan lemon verbena and Walla Walla-grown lavender. The teas and botanicals are brewed and infused, then carbonated with added carbon dioxide.

It’s 0.0% alcohol, with 12 calories and 3 grams of sugar per serving, and is naturally gluten-free and vegan.

In My Glass

Green and white tea flavors mingle with lemon verbena. It’s dry on entry, with a gentle sweetness emerging as it lingers on the palate. I particularly appreciated the fine bubbles, which added to the pleasure of each sip. SRP – $20

A Familiar Ritual

The experience began before that first sip.

The 750-milliliter bottle, cork, and muselet—the wire cage securing the cork—give Marabela unmistakable sparkling wine vibes. Removing the cage, popping the cork, and pouring into a favorite wine glass felt wonderfully familiar.

It reminded me how much I appreciate the ritual around wine. Choosing a bottle, opening it, and sitting down to enjoy it with food all contribute to the pleasure. Marabela let me enjoy those moments on an alcohol-free evening.

At the Table: Peaceful Coexistence

I paired Marabela with Spaghetti Aglio e Olio one night and Salmon Fried Rice the next.

My verdict on both? “Peaceful coexistence.”

That’s how I describe a pairing where the food and drink get along comfortably. Neither gets in the other’s way, and I’m happy to keep eating and sipping. Every pairing doesn’t have to produce a revelation to be successful.

With both meals, Marabela was an enjoyable companion.

Parting Thoughts

I went into this tasting curious about sparkling tea. I came away with a satisfying alternative to kombucha—and a greater appreciation for how much the cork, the glass, and the meal contribute to my enjoyment.

Marabela gave me something different to explore while preserving a familiar sense of ritual.

There’s room for that at my table.

What do you reach for when you’re taking a break from alcohol? Does the ritual matter to you?