FAQs about our halal beverages

How can wine be halal?

Wine is the conversion of grape juice (or other vegetable extract) by fermentation. This is referred to as ‘vinification’, and is a well-known process amongst wine producers.

Wine becomes halal when the alcohol in it is removed. This can be achieved by the ‘spinning cone’ process. 

What do you mean by ‘fermentation?’

Fermentation is an ancient technique that has been used for thousands of years to produce alcohol and preserve food. 

During the metabolic process, micro-organisms (such as yeast) break down sugar and other carbs into alcohol and acids. These acids and alcohol then act as a natural preservative. 

Today, fermentation is used to produce foods such as wine, cheese, yoghurt and kombucha. 

What is the ‘spinning cone’ process? 

The spinning cone process is an innovative and thorough method of removing alcohol from wine. 

It uses a combination of centrifugal force and nitrogen gas to separate and preserve the wine’s distinct flavours and aromas. It is the fastest and most effective way of extracting all the alcohol from wine.

How it works:

  • The finished wine is fed into the top of a spinning cone column.
  • The rotating cone uses centrifugal force (force generated from the centre) to transform the wine into a thin film.
  • Nitrogen gas is fed into the bottom of the column. When it meets the film, it extracts the wine’s flavours and aromas, and protects them from oxidisation. 
  • To remove the alcohol, the remaining liquid is passed through the column again, this time at a higher temperature.
  • The flavours and fragrances are recombined with the dealcoholised wine, then blended with unfermented grape juice to replace lost volume.

The Islamic community clearly states that wine is haram and prohibited by ‘default’. How do you address this age-old belief? 

The first point to remember is that it is alcohol that is haram and strictly prohibited in Islam teachings. Not ‘wine’ as a general concept.

We appreciate that this is a sensitive topic within our community, and one that will always be open for debate. It’s one of the reasons we’re so passionate about educating fellow Muslims about the dealcoholisation of our products, and the process involved.

These days, many Muslims are open to the idea of socialising in any environment, but without compromising on their beliefs and values. The same was true for our founder, Azhar. 

After spending many years in a corporate environment, Azhar struggled to feel fully included at champagne-fuelled company parties. He began searching for high-end, non-alcoholic drinks (other than juice and soft drinks) that would help him feel truly part of these events. You can read more about Azhar’s journey here

With a product that tastes so similar to the ‘real deal’, how do you guarantee that your drinks are halal?

The alcohol content in our products is below 0.5%, the recognised standard for non-alcoholic drinks in the UK. It may come as a surprise to learn that this content is actually less than what is found in soft drinks and juices

What’s more, unlike many non-alcoholic drinks providers, we do not chemically extract or chemically produce our drinks. This assures that all our drinks are 100% halal.

Just before the London Halal Festival in August 2017, Azanti was claimed ‘Fatwa’ from Regent Park Mosque. Were you pleased with the Muslim community’s response at this event?

Receiving Fatwa from Regent Park Mosque was a pivotal moment for Azanti. As well as being essential for our business, it also held huge importance for our personal principles and beliefs. We were extremely proud to share this with the Muslim community at the festival. 

Needless to say, we’ve been delighted with the positive response. Many of the Muslims we met at the event were discovering the distinct flavours of wine for the first time. Their excitement and intrigue was humbling. 



What does ‘fatwa’ mean?

‘Fatwa’ is a ruling on a point of Islamic law, given by a recognised authority. Azanti’s was granted by the highly-esteemed Regent Park Mosque, and has been essential in certifying our products as 100% halal.

General FAQs

There are many said health benefits associated with drinking wine. Do they still remain in non-alcoholic wine? 

Yes. In fact, removing the alcohol from wine actually increases its health benefits. 

Consuming wine (red wine in particular) is widely believed to have health benefits because of the polyphenols (micronutrients) it contains. Polyphenols are known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Unfortunately, it is a common misconception that drinking red wine reduces blood pressure and the risk of these diseases. This is because when the alcohol is present in wine, it cancels out the polyphenols and its blood pressure-lowering effect. When it comes to consuming alcohol, there are actually more risks to your health than there are benefits.

Thankfully, our alcohol-free wines offer a delicious alternative, with added health benefits to boot!

What are the health benefits of drinking dealcoholised wine?

Because of the polyphenols active in non-alcoholic wine, consuming it can reduce the risk of heart attacks by 14% and strokes by 20%.

Non-alcoholic red wine is also a great source of resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound that has been linked to cancer prevention, reduced risks of heart disease, increased ‘longevity’ and anti-ageing. It’s a great drink to enjoy as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. 



Many people enjoy wine mainly because of the alcohol and the effects it has. How will your products appeal to them?

While the effects of drinking alcohol may have their temporary perks, we believe that the ‘aftermath’ and associated health risks cancel them out. 

From morning-after ‘beer fear’, to risky behaviours, to the long-term risks of cancer, heart  disease and stroke, the consequences of alcohol can cause serious harm to your mind and body.

People like to conform to society, to feel involved, included, and ‘part of the crowd’. This is one of the reasons drinking culture has become so popular in western society. By drinking something other than a soft drink or juice, our customers can enjoy all the benefits of social inclusion, without compromising their health, or religious and ethical beliefs. 

Our products offer luxury, flavour, and a high-end label —  all without the hangover at the end. They’re the ideal alternative for anyone wanting to live life to the full. 

 

Can dealcoholised wine be used as an alternative for alcoholic wine in cooking?

Absolutely! In fact, our non-alcoholic wines are opening a whole new dimension of possibilities for chefs and foodies nationwide.

Wine is usually added to stews, casseroles, and gravy to give it depth of flavour and richness. Because our wines taste so similar to the alcoholic blends, they can help achieve exactly that.

Other than Muslims and designated drivers, who else will your non-alcoholic wines appeal to?

There is a huge UK market for non-alcoholic drinks, and one that is quickly growing with time.

In an increasingly health conscious world, consumers are becoming more and more aware of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption. Our non-alcoholic beverages are an ideal solution for gym bunnies, sports players, fitness fanatics, and anybody else looking to improve their health. They’re also a great alternative for people at risk of high blood pressure.

For those looking to start a family, our non-alcoholic drinks can be enjoyed by expectant mothers and women who are nursing. The lower calorie content of non-alcohol wine and beers also makes them perfect for anyone looking to control their weight.

Our drinks are designed to be enjoyed and embraced by everyone, whatever you age, religion, health status, or circumstances. With such a diverse range of styles and flavours, we have something for everyone to enjoy.  

What is the inspiration behind Azanti?

It all began with our founder, Azhar Paul. 

With a successful career in finance, Azhar was no stranger to elaborate company events and the clinking champagne flutes they are often remembered for. 

But while his colleagues always made him feel welcome, Azhar struggled to feel involved with London’s prolific drinking culture. What’s more, he found that premium non-alcoholic drinks options were disappointingly limited, with many products lacking quality and depth of flavour. 

So, joined by his practising Muslim wife, Tara, Azhar set out on a journey to discover great-tasting, ethically-sourced beverages that everyone can embrace and enjoy— whatever your age, religion, health needs or circumstances.

You can read more about Azhar’s story here

How have your non-alcoholic drinks been received around the world? 

Azanti is now exporting to 36 countries worldwide, from the UK and Europe to the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. The response so far has been phenomenal. Our drinks have been embraced by recovering alcoholics, expectant mothers, Muslims, health-conscious drinkers, and many more. 

As we begin the next chapter of our story, we’d like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful customers, our partners, and the communities in which we work. We can’t wait to share the rest of our journey with you!