Accolade Wines &Then range

Source: Accolade Wines

The drinks will roll into retailers and the on-trade in June

Accolade Wines is launching a new alcohol-free wine brand.

Called &Then, the brand will debut with two variants: Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Chardonnay boasted a “full-flavored palate layered with stone fruits and a touch of oak”, while Cabernet Sauvignon was “bursting with dark berry fruit characters and hints of oak and spice”, it added.

They will roll into retailers and the on-trade in June (rsp: £8/750ml).

Made with high-quality grapes sourced from South Australian cool climate vineyards and bottled using “revolutionary” technology, the drinks offered “a truly elevated zero-alcohol wine experience”, claimed Accolade.

The wine had been treated with “extra care” throughout the press to ensure more of the aroma, body and flavour of full-strength wine was retained, which meant the drinks required “significantly less sugary additives”, compared to other alcohol-free wines, it added.

The NPD would tap the trend for moderation, said Accolade.

Accolade Wines Europe marketing director Tom Smith said the launch came “at a time when health and wellness is on many shoppers’ minds”.

“Mid-millennials in particular are looking for stylish and contemporary zero-alcohol alternatives without compromising taste or enjoyment – which is another big step in wine being able to compete with other zero-alcohol categories,” he added.

It comes as Accolade is making concerted efforts to lure in millennial consumers by expanding its alcohol-free offering and launching new, convenient formats.

Over recent weeks it has unveiled a trio of non-alcoholic wines – as well as a trio of canned wines – under its biggest selling brand, Hardys.