Cienna Rosso (Brown Brothers)
Launched: April 2011
Waitrose this month started stocking Cienna Rosso (rsp: £9.99), a sparkling red wine with an abv of 7.5%. The cienna grape was created by crossing sumoll, from Spain, with cabernet sauvignon, resulting in a wine with a "creamy palate with plenty of acidity and juicy flavours," according to Gail Gilbert, European sales and marketing manager for Brown Brothers Wines Europe.

"Its Waitrose listing demonstrates how major retailers are recognising the importance of offering a broad range of innovative styles and lower-alcohol options," she adds.

Banrock Station Moscato (Constellation Wines)

Launched: March 2011
Constellation launched two lower-alcohol wines last month. Banrock Station Moscato and Banrock Station Pink Moscato (rsp: £5.45) are both 5.5% in strength and are already going down a storm in Australia, according to Clare Griffiths, vice president of European marketing for Constellation Wines.

Perrier-Jouët (Perrier-Jouët)
Launched: March 2011
The brand celebrated its 200th anniversary in style, unveiling what it calls a 'Living Legacy Champagne'. For £10,000 the purchaser receives two vintage 1998 magnums encased in coffrets designed by artist Daniel Arsham. One bottle is to be enjoyed now while the other will be laid down at the Perrier-Jouët cellars for up to 100 years for the inheritor to enjoy.

Prince WIlliam Champagne (Chalié Richards)
Launched: March 2011
Chalié Richards aimed to cash in on the royal nuptials with its limited-edition Prince William Champagne (rsp: £25). It has owned the right to use the royal brand for more than 20 years but hitherto has not listed any wines in the mults. Its latest tipple is available in Tesco and indie wine merchants.

Focus On Wine & Champagne