Alcohol content cut for Brits

Australian winemakers are slashing the alcohol content of their overseas ranges in an attempt to woo British customers.

Australian brands, including Banrock Station, are releasing the low-alcohol wine in Europe and cutting alcohol content to as low as 5.5 per cent - less than half the normal figure.

Australian red wines traditionally have an alcohol content of 13.5 per cent but some brands can carry as much as 18 per cent, according to The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Australian winemakers have marketed the move as a way for customers to enjoy their wine without worrying about the drive home.

Makers have also said the wines will help dodge negative effects. including hangovers and heart disease.

The move comes as Britain continues to battle escalating alcohol issues among the middle class including violence and alcohol related disease. "Light" wine is selling for as little as $8.60 per bottle.

Wine experts in Europe have slammed the move saying low alcohol content wines failed to pass the taste test and would promote people to drink more to get drunk.

The low-alcohol wine trend has emerged a year after Australia’s favourite beer, Victoria Bitter returned to its full alcohol content of 4.9 per cent after the brewer cut it to 4.6 per cent in 2009 to save tens of millions of dollars a year by avoid Australia’s alcohol tax.

VB, which was Australia’s top selling beer for 19 years, announced in September 2012 to return to full strength after the watered-down version was outrun by rival XXXX Gold

Source: The Herald Sun, 26 August 2013