Cash and carries go with the low

Two cash and carry stores have recently added lower alcohol wines to their portfolios, consolidating the continued interest in the demand of these specialist styles.

Low alcohol brand Sovio has secured a listing at Booker stores, while rival cash and carry outlet Makro has recently listed Brown Brothers’ Cienna Rosso, a 7.5% abv sparkling wine.

The producer of Californian brand Sovio, TFC Wines, says the listing in Booker supports the brand’s “incredibly successful” sales performance in Tesco this year.

Speaking of the listing, Tony Dann, chairman of Sovio, said: “We want lighter style wines to be available to as many people as possible. By stocking Sovio, Booker will help to ensure more consumers are able to enjoy the great taste of wine.”

The Californian 5.5% abv wines, which include the Sovio Sparkling White Zinfandel and Sovio Sparkling Chardonnay, will be sold at £14.99 for six 75cl bottles, or three for £10 in the cash and carry’s Premier stores.

“We are extremely excited about this new opportunity,” added Dann.

Meanwhile, Australian producer Brown Brothers will launch its 7.5% abv Cienna Rosso Sparkling Wine into Makro next month.

Gail Gilbert, European sales and marketing manager for Brown Brothers, said: “We are excited about adding the Cienna varietal to our innovative wine portfolio in Makro.

“Based on the feedback we‘ve had to date, we’re confident that the new Cienna Rosso will be a hit with consumers in the UK market.”

Cienna Rosso, which is made in Victoria, will be available at £8.99 per 75cl bottle.

Jane Parkinson, 16.08.10