It seems that UK retailers are focusing to pour their resources into promoting low-alcohol wines.

Supermarkets and retailers are gearing up to stock a wider range of low-alcohol wines in the run-up to Christmas, in response to growing consumer demand and increasing health concerns about drinking.

The latest research confirms that British drinkers are unwittingly knocking back more units of alcohol than they were nearly 10 years ago because of the prevalence of extra-strong lagers and high-alcohol wines.

An industry event this week will bring producers and retailers together to look at how they are expanding their ranges of low-alcohol wines and beers, which traditionally have fed a niche market, and what might be the potential for growth to meet changing and increasingly sophisticated consumer tastes.

Wine experts from supermarkets, including Tesco and Sainsbury, will also consider the finding, which suggests that consumers who want to buy low-alcohol wines prefer better-tasting products. Shoppers have also complained that it is difficult to find these drinks on supermarket aisles because wines are traditionally grouped by country of origin and colour, not alcoholic strength.

Important changes in European regulations, which have traditionally hampered the growth of this market, are also set to increase the pace of change. It is now legal to sell wine which has had its abv (alcohol by volume, expressed as a percentage on labels) reduced by up to 2% through the use of two specialist techniques, reverse osmosis and the “spinning cone” method.

Taste has always been a problem as the processing required to lower the alcohol content of wine has had a detrimental effect on its flavour.

But sales are edging up. According to the latest figures from the market researchers Nielsen, the broader category of low-alcohol drinks, which includes no-alcohol beers, wines and ciders, has seen sales growth of £25.2m in the last 12 months, a rise of 11%.

Health charities believe that the increasing popularity of higher strength wines, especially those from Australia and South America, has contributed to problem drinking levels. Some of these wines have an abv as high as 14% or 15%. Low-alcohol wines typically have abvs of 9% and lower.

To satisfy the consumer demand for lighter alcohol wines successful South African brand Arniston Bay has launched The Lighthouse Collection which offers numerous health benefits and value for money.

While this collection of fruity lighter style wines – befitting the brand’s easy-drinking persona – has considerably lower alcohol levels (10% to 11%) it doesn’t compromise on taste and the wines have a rich impressive flavour profile typical varietal aromas and good acidity. It’s ideal for people watching their waistlines or for occasions such as having a drink over lunch and then heading back to the office.

In keeping with the brand’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint (Arniston Bay also produces an eco-friendly wine pouch which takes up less space in a landfill than glass bottles) The Lighthouse Collection boasts lighter packaging making it a winning option for consumers with a conscience.

Source: guardian.co.uk