Charity Edition Angel Wings – non-alcoholic

Engelsflügel Charity Edition. Red berries, herbal freshness and 50 cents for a good cause.

The Engelsflügel Charity Edition is a dark red, sparkling PriSecco from the Jörg Geiger Manufaktur, made from an apple juice base and co-developed by people with cystic fibrosis. No de-alcoholised wine, no alcohol-free sparkling wine, no lemonade.

The Engelsflügel Charity Edition is an alcohol-free aperitif made from fruit juices, herbs and spices, with which the Manufaktur supports the Mukoviszidose e.V. association. Compared to an alcohol-free sparkling wine, it is missing something crucial: it never contained alcohol. Nothing was removed, nothing had to be replaced. What sparkles in the glass has been designed from the outset as a standalone drink.

Wild berries, mint freshness and a spicy finish

Engelsflügel smells of delicate red fruits and wild berries, with a cool, menthol-like freshness on top. In the glass, it shines a deep dark red. The first sip is fruity, followed immediately by slightly tart notes.

On the palate, a refreshing acidity keeps the fruit lively. The herbal spice becomes more pronounced towards the middle. A lingering elegant spiciness remains, suggesting ginger among the spices.

Peach and blackcurrant provide the fruit, while aronia gives a dark, slightly astringent edge. Astringency is the puckering sensation in the mouth that blackthorn or strong black tea also leaves behind. It curbs the sweetness and makes the sip taste drier.

Among the PriSecco classics, Engelsflügel is on the spicy side. The original red PriSecco, fruity and made with sour cherry and redcurrant according to the Manufaktur, still uses these ingredients to this day. Engelsflügel is significantly darker and more tart, with blackcurrant, aronia and herbs.

Anyone expecting a dry, wine-like aperitif will find Engelsflügel too fruity. According to the nutritional information, it contains 8.5 g of sugar per 100 ml, almost exclusively from the juices. The still, alcohol-free food companion with Sauvignon Blanc from the same Manufaktur is significantly more tart.

With game terrine, red curry and duck breast

Engelsflügel is best enjoyed at 8 to 10 °C in a slim sparkling wine glass, as an aperitif or with spicy starters. The Manufaktur suggests serving it with game terrine and lingonberries. The berry notes in the glass pick up the fruit accompaniment, while the acidity cuts through the fat of the terrine.

Unusual but harmonious is the house's second recommendation: red curry from Asian cuisine. The spiciness of the curry meets the ginger spiciness in the finish, while the fruit sweetness catches both. A red Thai curry with coconut milk and duck is a good starting point.

Our tip: Try Engelsflügel with pan-seared duck breast and red cabbage or with wild boar salami on a bread board. The dark fruit stands in for a young red wine. On the other hand, it is not intended for delicate fish dishes or oysters, as its herbal spiciness overpowers the subtle aromas.

On warm evenings, it also works as a long drink. Pour it over two or three ice cubes in a wine glass and add a sprig of thyme. The herbal note in the glass is thus enhanced, while the sweetness recedes slightly.

You can pour about six 125 ml glasses from one bottle. Once opened, it is best to seal it with a sparkling wine stopper and keep it chilled to preserve the carbonation.

A PriSecco from Schlat with a story of its own

Engelsflügel is one of the PriSecco classics from the Jörg Geiger Manufaktur, which has been developing sparkling alcohol-free compositions from fruit juices since 2003. The name stands for "sparkles like Secco". Secco is Italian for dry and is a common term in Italy for sparkling wine.

The PriSecco brand has been registered since 2007, according to the Manufaktur, two years before the Prosecco designation of origin was protected. The very first PriSecco was born out of necessity. The trees of the Champagne Bratbirne bore no usable fruit in the debut year, so another old pear variety was used.

The recipe for Engelsflügel was created together with children and people with cystic fibrosis. They created their favourite PriSecco with the Manufaktur. Jörg Geiger subsequently developed this favourite into the finished drink.

Apple juice forms the basis with 42 percent, complemented by pear juice. Both come from Swabian meadow fruit, i.e., from registered orchard meadows around Schlat on the Albtrauf. The WiesenObst e.V. association and the external body ABCERT monitor compliance with the requirements.

Old apple and pear varieties from standard trees bring more acidity and tannins than table fruit. This is an advantage for an aperitif, as it needs tension rather than mere sweetness. For the preservation of these meadows, Jörg Geiger received the Cultural Landscape Award of the Swabian Heimatbund in 2001.

Every bottle contributes to the donation total

For every bottle of this edition, 50 cents goes to the Mukoviszidose e.V. association, according to the Manufaktur. It has published the annual totals since 2017. They rose from 3,930 euros in 2017 to 12,800 euros in 2025, totalling 88,615 euros.

This makes Engelsflügel a gift with double the meaning. It is perfect for an invitation where not all guests drink alcohol, and also as a thank you to people who value social commitment. The story behind the label tells itself as you pour it.

Together with a game terrine or a glass of lingonberries, it becomes a small gift for the host. It is also an obvious choice for companies that want to give their customers an alcohol-free thank you with a social connection. The donation is part of the product and does not need to be explained separately.

A dark red glass with herbal freshness and a donation in the background. Engelsflügel shows that a good aperitif can also have an impact beyond your own table.