WSTA raises concerns over lower alcohol wines

15th September 2011, 9:51am

Research commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) suggests the wine industry needs to address concerns about quality and taste of lower alcohol wines if it is to attract more consumers to the category.

Figures found that 55% of red wine drinkers (51% of white wine drinkers) said they had concerns about the taste of lower alcohol wines, and 41% of red wine drinkers (36% of white wine drinkers) had concerns about the product quality of lower alcohol wines.

The findings come from the YouGov Omnibus Panel (August 2011) and are based on a sample of 1,693 British adult drinkers.

The poll was then asked what would encourage them to buy lower alcohol wines. The main priorities were satisfaction about product quality and the ability to taste and compare before buying emerged.

Commenting on the research, WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles said: "These figures will be of interest to both the wine trade and to policymakers who are looking at ways of encouraging a wider range of lower alcohol products.

"While there's plenty of evidence to suggest consumers are interested in lower alcohol drinks these findings suggest there's work to do to convince drinkers about the taste and quality of products coming onto the market."

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