Wine Innovation results released

the drinks business has announced the results of the Innovation Masters for 2011.

The competition is engineered to reward the novel in the world of wine, from new blends, improved winemaking, as well as original packaging.

In the design category, the likes of the Amour de Deutz wowed the judges, along with the striking appearance of Crown Estates Tokaji Essencia.

Notable among the medal winners for innovative winemaking was an “icewine” made from frozen apples, a “summer red” from Gallo, and Freixenet’s new Mia range of lower alcohol wines for women.

Among the labels commended for quality and originality were McGuigan’s The Semillon Blanc, a Semillon designed to entice Sauvignon Blanc drinkers, and Funambule, a new brand whose name, which is French for a tightrope walker, references its “perfect balance”.

The competition highlighted the focus on new product development in the lower alcohol category, with the likes of Banrock Station Light, Blossom Hill Vineyard Collection Aromatic & Delicate, Astoria’s 9.5 – named after its abv – and the aforementioned Mia, all featuring, and gaining medals.

Speaking to db on the potential of the lower alcohol sector in UK retail, Julian Dyer, wine buyer at Sainsbury’s said, “This has a big future and at Sainsbury’s we’ve made a commitment that by 2020, we’ll double the sales of lighter alcohol wine and reduce the average alcohol content of own brand wine and beer.

Medals awarded for tasting

 Medals awarded for design and packaging