The short version
- El Nuevo Día reported that French Bloom celebrated its official launch in Puerto Rico with the visit of U.S. vice president Guillaume Bonnassies
- The brand uses organic French Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines and a three-stage vacuum distillation process to remove alcohol while preserving aromas
- El Vocero reported the company was founded after one founder sought elegant non-alcoholic options during pregnancy
- French Bloom has expanded to over 60 countries, won World's Best Sparkling Wine Awards in 2022 and 2023, and received a minority investment from Moët Hennessy in 2024
Launch in Puerto Rico
French Bloom, a French producer of non-alcoholic sparkling wines, held its official launch event in Puerto Rico. El Nuevo Día reported that the event included a visit by Guillaume Bonnassies, the brand's vice president for the United States. The products are distributed exclusively by Méndez & Co.
According to both outlets, the available options in Puerto Rico include the cuvées Le Blanc and Le Rosé, as well as Villa Amera, which features notes of bitter orange and can be used to prepare non-alcoholic spritz drinks. The launch took place at La Bodega de Méndez in Guaynabo and featured a multi-course gastronomic experience prepared by chef Edwin Antongiogiorgi.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Guaynabo travel guide
Company background and production
El Vocero reported that French Bloom was founded in 2019 by Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger, Constance Jablonski and Rodolphe Frerejean-Taittinger after one founder experienced limited non-alcoholic options during pregnancy. The company uses organic French wines made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes harvested early to preserve acidity.
Bonnassies explained to El Vocero that the dealcoholization process involves three stages of low-temperature vacuum distillation, going further than many competitors who stop after two stages. Part of the wine is aged in new French oak barrels and part in stainless steel tanks for more than six months before the alcohol is removed. The company states its products contain no added sugars, colorants or preservatives and target flexi-drinkers who alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Growth and recognition
Both El Nuevo Día and El Vocero reported that in less than five years French Bloom has reached more than 60 countries. The brand received recognition as the best non-alcoholic sparkling wine at the World’s Best Sparkling Wine Awards in 2022 and 2023. In October 2024, Moët Hennessy acquired a minority stake in the company through a strategic alliance.
The outlets noted that the products are positioned as alternatives for social occasions, meals and celebrations for consumers who wish to moderate or avoid alcohol consumption.
Where the sources differ
El Nuevo Día and El Vocero largely agree on the launch details, product names, distribution by Méndez & Co., the three-stage distillation process, the founders' names, the company's rapid international growth to over 60 countries, its awards in 2022 and 2023, and the 2024 minority investment by Moët Hennessy. El Vocero provides more detail on the personal story behind the founding, the specific aging of wines in barrels and tanks, the early harvest for acidity, the three-stage process explanation from Bonnassies, the target flexi-drinker consumer, and the specific dishes served at the Guaynabo tasting event. El Nuevo Día briefly mentions the use of vacuum distillation at low temperature and the Villa Amera spritz application.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify the exact date of the Guaynabo launch event, the retail or restaurant locations where the products will be sold in Puerto Rico, their prices, projected sales volumes on the island, or any planned future activities or expansions beyond the initial launch. No information is given on consumer reception or feedback from the press and blogger attendees.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting French Bloom llega a Puerto Rico con su propuesta de espumosos sin alcohol
- Reporting French Bloom: De una necesidad personal a los espumosos sin alcohol
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día and El Vocero both covered the French Bloom launch in Puerto Rico, agreeing on core facts about the brand and its arrival while El Vocero supplied additional background on the company's origin story, production details and tasting menu. All information in the article rests on these two reports.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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