Jacob’s Creek launches lower alcohol wines
AB-InBev are not the only one to adjust (read: lower) the alcohol content of some of their products. As of February 2012, one of the major Australian wine brands, Jacob’s Creek, has introduced a range of four wines with lower alcohol contents: sparkling or still sauvignon blanc, vermentino, and shiraz rosé, which sit between 9.5 percent and 10.5 percent ABV. The wines are sourced from vineyards noted for lower sugar levels at early ripeness with grapes picked in the early hours of cooler nights.
Despite the recent growth of reduced alcohol wines in the UK, with supermarket chain Sainsbury’s having committed itself to doubling its lighter alcohol range by 2020, Jacob’s Creek is careful to differentiate its Cool Harvest range from the light wine category, which suffers from a bad image.
As with light beers, these light wines at 5.5 percent ABV are perceived of as lacking in body and flavour.
Still, winemakers are well aware that consumers want lower alcohol levels, but they do not want to compromise on flavour.
The Jacob’s Creek Cool Harvest range was first introduced into the Australian market late last year.
In the UK, the range will be available with a recommended retail price of GBP 8.49 (EUR 10.50/USD 13.50) per bottle.
The Jacob’s Creek brand is owned by France’s drinks group Pernod Ricard.
