Low alcohol sparkling wine launched

In line with the proliferation of reduced alcohol wines hitting the UK market, DB Wines have launched Sovio, a sparkling drink designed to “spearhead a new category of ‘mid-strength’ wine”. 

Made using the spinning cone column technique to reduce alcohol content, Sovio has 40% less alcohol than standard wine but retains its flavour and aroma. Described as semi-sparkling, the new brand’s fizz is achieved by the injection of CO2 prior to bottling.

The lightly sparkling wine comes in two styles, white and rosé and is sold in single-serve 200ml glass bottles, although there is a possibility DB Wines will add a still wine version in a 75cl format. At 8% abv, each 200ml bottle contains 1.6 units of alcohol, and Sovio has a residual sugar level of 12 grams per litre. The product is made at Casa de la Ermita’s winery in Jumilla, Spain, and the reduced alcohol wine brand has been approved for sale in the EU under an experimental licence.

“There is a mindset in the UK that lower alcohol means no taste, but we are saying that Sovio is giving you both,” says Iain Stewart, director of sales for DB Wines.

Inspiration for the brand came from the continued popularity of white wine spritzers among female drinkers in Britain who like wine but are keen to avoid becoming intoxicated.

Sovio is currently being trialled in selected on-trade outlets across the UK and is priced between £3.75 and £5.

DB Wines aims to become an authority on reduced alcohol wines and Sovio is the company’s first brand. Anthony Dann is chairman of the firm as well as president of the California-based ConeTech spinning cone technology company. In Britain, Mark Beasley is managing director.

© Patrick Schmitt, the drinks business 18th July 2007