Beyond the Grape: What Is Fruit Wine —And Why You Should Try It
It all begins with an idea.
When most people think of wine, their minds go straight to the vineyard: rows of grapevines, sun-drenched hillsides, and the familiar flavours of pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, or merlot. But what if we told you that wine doesn’t begin and end with the grape?
Fruit wine — made from everything but grapes — is quietly redefining the world of fine drinking. Crafted from apples, plums, feijoas, peaches, berries, and more, these wines bring a fresh, aromatic twist to an age-old tradition.
At Mirabelle, we believe fruit wine is more than a novelty — it’s a celebration of flavour, sustainability, and creativity.
What Exactly Is Fruit Wine?
Put simply, fruit wine is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from fruit other than grapes. It follows the same basic winemaking principles: yeast ferments the natural sugars into alcohol, creating a nuanced and flavour-rich result.
But unlike grape wine, where the flavour profile is often shaped by subtle terroir and oak ageing, fruit wine explodes with vibrant aromas and bold, juicy notes. Think tart plum with a hint of spice, or sun-ripened peach with a soft floral finish.
Depending on the fruit, the wine can be dry, sweet, or somewhere in between — making it incredibly versatile.
How Is Fruit Wine Different from Grape Wine?
How Is Fruit Wine Different from Grape Wine?
While both fruit wine and grape wine go through the same basic fermentation process, they differ in some important ways — from the base ingredient to the flavour and even their cultural roots.
First, the fruit itself.
Traditional wine is made solely from grapes, which are naturally high in sugar and tannins — ideal for fermentation and structure. Fruit wine, on the other hand, is made from a variety of fruits such as plums, peaches, feijoa or apples - also known as cider when carbonated, each bringing a unique taste, colour, and aroma.
Second, the flavour experience.
Grape wines tend to offer earthy, dry, and complex profiles shaped by ageing and terroir. Fruit wines lean more aromatic and expressive, often vibrant and juicy, with floral or tangy notes depending on the fruit used. They are far from one-dimensional — a good fruit wine is balanced, elegant, and layered in its own right.
Third, the cultural presence.
Grape wine dominates in global commerce and tradition, but fruit wine has long flourished in home gardens, regional celebrations, and small-scale artisanal settings — especially in across Asia and Europe.
And lastly, sustainability.
Many fruit wines — including ours at Mirabelle — are made from fruit that might otherwise go to waste: oversized, seconds, or surplus harvests. It’s a way to capture the best of the orchard while reducing waste and celebrating seasonal abundance.
At Mirabelle, we craft our wines only from whole, locally grown fruit, with no concentrates or artificial flavours. We treat each fruit with the same respect a traditional winemaker would give to grapes — and the result is elegant, complex, and refreshingly unexpected.
Why You Should Try Fruit Wine
Unforgettable Flavour
If you’ve never tried a fruit wine before, get ready for a tasting experience unlike any other. Our feijoa blends finish like sunshine in a glass, our plum mulled wine warms and comforts you on a cold winter evening .Perfect Pairings
Fruit wines pair beautifully with food — from cheeses and charcuterie to spiced curries, chocolate desserts, and picnic platters.Naturally Lower in Sulphites
Many fruit wines are easier on the body, with fewer additives and lower tannins than traditional wines.Sustainably Crafted
We often use seconds or oversized fruit that would otherwise go to waste — capturing their beauty rather then letting them rot on the ground or feeding them to livestock.
A New Tradition in the Making
Fruit wine isn’t new — it’s been quietly fermenting in European gardens, Nordic forests, and Asian kitchens for centuries. But today, it’s having a renaissance. Consumers want bold flavours, natural ingredients, and meaningful stories. Fruit wine delivers all three.
So next time you’re browsing for something to sip — or gift — think beyond the grape. You might just discover your new favourite wine in the process.
From Seoul to Stockholm: Why Fruit Wine Is Taking Over the World
It all begins with an idea.
Walk into a trendy bar in Tokyo, a cosy kitchen in Warsaw, or a summer festival in Berlin, and chances are you’ll find a bottle of fruit wine being shared. Once seen as a rustic curiosity, fruit wine is now having a global moment — beloved for its variety, seasonality, and bold, expressive flavour.
At Mirabelle, we’ve always believed fruit wine deserved the spotlight. And now, from Asia to Europe and down to New Zealand, it finally is.
A Global Tradition, Reimagined
Fruit wine isn’t a trend — it’s a time-honoured tradition with deep roots around the world. Let’s take a little tasting tour:
🇰🇷 South Korea: Maesil-ju & Fermented Elixirs
Koreans have long embraced maesil-ju, a plum wine made from green maesil plums and honey. Smooth, sweet, and slightly tart, it’s often enjoyed chilled after meals. Fermented fruit drinks — including peach, raspberry, and even omija (five-flavour berry) — are also used medicinally and ceremonially.
🇯🇵 Japan: Umeshu & Culture in a Glass
Japan’s umeshu (plum wine) is a beloved staple, known for its golden colour and balance of sweet and sour. Many families make their own at home each season. It’s enjoyed on ice, with soda, or warm in winter — a ritual as much as a drink.
🇸🇪 Scandinavia: Berry Wines & Nordic Heritage
In Sweden, Norway, and Finland, people have long crafted wines from wild berries: lingonberry, cloudberry, bilberry. These rich, earthy wines reflect a connection to the land and the forest. Often made in small batches, they’re a point of pride and tradition.
🇵🇱 Eastern Europe: Garden Wines
In countries like Poland and Hungary, cherry, blackcurrant, and plum wines are a part of rural culture — often made in family kitchens. Each bottle tells a story of harvests, heritage, and hospitality.
So Why Is Fruit Wine Trending Now?
As global tastes shift toward sustainability, experimentation, and sensory experience, fruit wine ticks all the boxes:
Flavour diversity – Each fruit brings a different story: floral, spicy, tangy, mellow.
Lower-alcohol appeal – Many fruit wines are naturally lower in alcohol than traditional wines, making them ideal for mindful sipping.
Eco-conscious values – Made from seconds, surplus, or non-grape crops, fruit wines support local growers and reduce food waste.
Artisanal lifestyle – Small-batch production, seasonal releases, and natural ingredients resonate with a new generation of drinkers.
The New Zealand Shift
In New Zealand, wine culture has long revolved around grapes. But change is in the air — and on the palate.
More Kiwis are seeking:
Flavours that match the fruit-growing abundance of Aotearoa
Lighter, fruitier options for casual gatherings
Locally made, sustainable products with heart
That’s where fruit wine shines.
At Mirabelle, we’re proudly part of this movement. Our wines celebrate New Zealand-grown fruit, with flavours that are fresh, balanced, and unforgettable — from the sun-warmed tang of feijoa to the deep spice of plum. No concentrate. No shortcuts. Just real fruit and real craftsmanship.
🍷 A Taste of the Future
Fruit wine isn’t replacing grape wine — it’s expanding the world of what wine can be. It invites curiosity, encourages exploration, and suits a modern, flavour-forward lifestyle.
Whether it’s a gift, a weekend treat, or your new house favourite, fruit wine brings something special to the glass — and to the conversation.
Curious to see why the world is sipping fruit wine?
Discover our handcrafted blends and taste the global trend, grown right here in New Zealand.
Winter in a Glass: The Story Behind Mulled Wine — And Why Ours Is Magical
It all begins with an idea.
There’s something about winter that makes you crave warmth beyond a blanket or a fire. You want a flavour that hugs you back — something rich, spiced, and just a little nostalgic. That’s where mulled wine comes in.
A seasonal classic with roots as old as wine itself, mulled wine is more than just a drink. It’s a ritual. A memory. A moment.
At Mirabelle, we’ve reimagined this tradition with our Winter Magic Mulled Wine — a fruit wine twist on an ancient favourite, crafted from plum, spice, and everything nice.
🔮 What Is Mulled Wine?
Mulled wine is essentially red wine gently heated with spices and aromatics — think cinnamon, star anise, cardamon, fresh orange and Vanilla. Sometimes it’s sweetened with honey or sugar and enriched with spirits for extra warmth.
It’s designed to be served hot, filling the room with festive aroma and the glass with comfort. Think Christmas markets in Germany, ski chalets in Switzerland, or snow-dusted gatherings in Scandinavia — mulled wine is their shared heartbeat.
🏺 A Toast to History
The tradition of warming and spicing wine goes back over 2,000 years. The first recorded mention of mulled wine dates to Roman times, when soldiers heated wine with herbs to survive the cold and improve the taste of rough vintages.
As the Roman Empire spread, so did the recipe — evolving in every region it touched. In the Middle Ages, it was believed to promote health and good digestion. In Victorian England, it became a refined parlour drink known as “claret cup,” popularised in cookbooks and festive tales.
By the 19th century, mulled wine had woven itself into wintertime culture across Europe, especially in Germany (as Glühwein), the Nordic countries (glögg), and the UK.
✨ Mirabelle’s Twist: Winter Magic
At Mirabelle, we wanted to honour this centuries-old tradition — but also bring our own philosophy to the glass.
Winter Magic Mulled Wine is made from our rich, full-bodied red plum wine, blended with warming spices and gently sweetened with black currant. The result is deep, spiced, and utterly soothing.
No artificial flavours. No added spirits. Just whole fruit, balanced spice, and a little wintry wonder.
You can heat it gently in a pot or pour it straight into a slow cooker for a no-fuss treat to share. We love serving it with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick
🌿 Why It’s So Special
1. It’s made from real fruit wine — not bulk grape wine.
Many commercial mulled wines are made from cheap, over-processed grape blends and artificial flavourings. Ours begins with our handcrafted plum wine — already bold, tangy, and full of natural depth.
2. It’s sweetened naturally.
We use black currant’s, fresh oranges and just a little extra sugar.
3. It’s ready to serve.
No mixing or measuring needed. Just heat, pour, and sip. Perfect for entertaining or a quiet night in.
4. It’s seasonal and limited.
Just like winter, it doesn’t last forever. Our mulled wine is only available during the colder months.
❄️ When to Enjoy It
Around the fire after a long day
At winter gatherings, festivals, or dinner parties
After a hike, a storm, or a Sunday roast
Any time your soul needs a little thawing
🍷 The Magic of Fruit & Spice
There’s a reason mulled wine has endured for centuries — it warms more than just your hands. It’s a sip of history, a dash of celebration, and a reminder that winter can be just as wonderful as summer, if you know how to taste it.
With Winter Magic, we invite you to experience that wonder in every bottle.
Ready to feel the warmth?
Try Winter Magic Mulled Wine →
Crafted with real fruit. Spiced with care. Served with soul.