Ahead of the festive season many of us stock up on a range of drinks to enjoy ourselves and to offer family and friends that come and visit us. These days many alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, cava and aperitif drinks are also available in non-alcoholic or low-alcohol versions. However, these are often more expensive than the original alcoholic versions of the drink. But why is this the case? Sommelier Alexander De Beck is specialised in non-alcoholic drinks. He told the VRT’s consumer affairs team that high-production costs and economy of scale issues serve to push up the price of non-alcoholic versions of alcoholic drinks.