MTV3: An exceptional "wine shop" opens in Helsinki

Non-alcohol consumption is a growing trend. Now a new "booze-free liquor store" has opened in central Helsinki for non-alcoholic drink lovers. 

- This article was published on MTV3 on 29.11.2024. Editors: Hannakaisa Taskinen, Valpuri Haapala, MTV3

The new dietary recommendations state that alcohol should be consumed as little as possible. Non-alcohol consumption has been a growing trend, with more and more people opting for a non-alcoholic drink in restaurants, for example.

The results of a recent international survey also confirm that non-alcoholism is gaining ground, and many people would like to see non-alcoholic ways of celebrating at Christmas. Of the 30,000 people who responded to the survey, almost 2,000 were employed Finns. 

Almost half of Finnish respondents said they thought that non-alcoholic drinks would be a good way to promote inclusion in social events in the workplace.

25% of respondents felt that too many social events at work revolve around alcohol, and 21% of Finnish respondents said they would like more ways to meet colleagues without alcohol. 

Not everyone is enthusiastic about non-alcoholic drinks, with 13% of respondents citing alcohol as the main reason for attending workplace events, but 12% of respondents said they prefer non-alcoholic social events. 

The survey was carried out by market research company Mintel on behalf of catering company Compass Group.

A "booze-free liquor store" called Free Spirit has now opened in central Helsinki for non-alcoholic drinkers. The first non-alcoholic drinks shop in the Nordic countries was introduced to the Finnish news show Huomenta Suomessa. The video interviews Jenny Rostain, the store's managing director, and Anikó Lehtinen, a drinks expert. Among the products on display are the world's most expensive non-alcoholic sparkling wine, non-alcoholic whisky and bubbly tea.