La Maison Tea Royal

La Maison Tea Royal was founded in spring 2024 by three winemaker friends from South Styria (Südsteiermark) in Austria. The producer makes non-alcoholic sparkling tea at 0.0% ABV from the South Styria region, building its blends on the techniques and raw materials of winemaking.^[1]

La Maison Tea Royal's three co-founders are Bernhard Schauer, Johannes Firmenich, and Stefan Schauer, three winemaker friends from South Styria. Two of the producer's own estates, Weingut Firmenich and Weingut Schauer, located in the Südsteiermark, supply grapes and Sauvignon Blanc for its beverages.^[1]

La Maison Tea Royal approaches sparkling tea through the hand of winemakers (Winzerhand), as it describes Herbal Garden Tea No. 9. Across the range, the producer draws on its own organically farmed vineyards: grape seeds and grape skins are used to provide tannins and bitter substances, lending the teas structure and body more typically associated with wine.^[1]

La Maison Tea Royal's lineup comprises Blooming Rose Tea No. 7, Herbal Garden Tea No. 9, White Blossom Tea No. 13, and Vin Royal No. 59 Sauvignon Blanc. The first three are alcohol-free sparkling teas at 0.0% ABV, each built around a different tea base: hibiscus and Ceylon black tea for Blooming Rose, green tea and Greek mountain tea for Herbal Garden, and white tea for White Blossom.^[2]

Vin Royal No. 59 Sauvignon Blanc. Vin Royal No. 59 Sauvignon Blanc combines sparkling tea with Sauvignon Blanc into what the producer describes as a light, elegant aperitif. It is made with green tea and Greek mountain tea, and carries 1.8% alcohol, setting it apart from the 0.0% ABV teas in the range. The Sauvignon Blanc comes from the producer's own estates, Weingut Firmenich and Weingut Schauer, in the Südsteiermark.^[2],[3]

La Maison Tea Royal builds its blends on a tea base layered with winemaking-derived tannin and a shared set of floral and herbal botanicals. Each beverage centers on a distinct tea or tea pairing, then takes structure from grape components and aroma from lavender and linden blossom.^[1]

Grape seed and skin maceration. Grape seeds and grape skins, sourced from the producer's own organically farmed vineyards, are used across the range to provide tannins and bitter substances for body and full-bodied flavour.^[1]

• Blooming Rose Tea No. 7 -- grape seeds and skins add tannins and bitter substances for a full-bodied flavour
• Herbal Garden Tea No. 9 -- grape seeds and skins contribute tannins and bitter compounds
• White Blossom Tea No. 13 -- grape seeds and skins contribute tannins and bitter compounds for body and fullness

Oak barrel aging. White Blossom Tea No. 13 is aged in oak barrels after production, which imparts fine tannins and a gentle wood note, adding structure, depth, and a hint of warmth, along with harmonious roasted aromas on the palate.

Tea bases. Each beverage is defined by its tea selection.

• Blooming Rose Tea No. 7 -- hibiscus blossoms form the base with Ceylon black tea, giving a salmon-pink color and fruity citrus note; the Ceylon black tea contributes subtle floral notes (Ceylon being the former name of Sri Lanka until 1972)
• Herbal Garden Tea No. 9 -- green tea (grassy-fresh, mild and gentle) and Greek mountain tea / Sideritis (lemony-minty with a hint of cinnamon) as its two main ingredients
• White Blossom Tea No. 13 -- white tea as the main ingredient, lending gentle elegance with a subtle, floral aroma reminiscent of fresh blossoms and morning lightness
• Vin Royal No. 59 -- green tea and Greek mountain tea

Floral & botanical infusions. Two botanicals recur across the teas. Lavender, sourced from the producer's own orchard, is described as sweetly herbaceous with hints of rosemary, contributing sweet and tangy flavours. Linden blossom contributes floral, warming aromas with notes of anise, chamomile, and elderflower.^[1]

• Lavender (own orchard) -- in Blooming Rose No. 7, Herbal Garden No. 9, and White Blossom No. 13
• Linden blossom -- in Blooming Rose No. 7, Herbal Garden No. 9, and White Blossom No. 13

Blooming Rose Tea No. 7. Fine perlage, a noble salmon-pink colour, and aromas of fresh red berries, herbs, and black elderberry, with a delicate, creamy structure and a hint of honey and linden blossom.

Herbal Garden Tea No. 9. Golden-yellow with lively bubbles, and flavours of Mediterranean herbs, ripe citrus fruits, juicy apples, and hay flowers, described as finely structured and full of elegance.

White Blossom Tea No. 13. Golden color and fine bubbles, with aromas of apple peel, juicy pear, and hay flower on the nose. The palate is faceted with ripe pome fruit and dried herbs, with a dense structure, harmonious roasted aromas, and tannins from the oak barrel.

Vin Royal No. 59 Sauvignon Blanc. Golden yellow with a lively perlage, and tasting notes of citrus, green fruit, and fine herbal notes with a clear, dry structure. The producer positions it as a light, elegant aperitif.^[4]