Company: Bottlegreen
Rsp: £2.59
Competition: Shloer


The consumer
I found this less fizzy and more fruity than its main competitor. You could definitely taste the fruit more because there aren’t so many bubbles in the way. I often buy Bottlegreen when I’m driving and can’t drink alcohol, partly because it gives the impression of natural ingredients and therefore being healthier. A sparkling version for special occasions when you can’t drink is a welcome addition. You pay 30p to 60p less for Shloer, which made me think a bit, but it’s a good product so they can probably get away with it. Four stars (out of five)
Glenn Rogers, MD, Allen & Heath, Cornwall


The retailer
The Bottlegreen brand has good standout on shelf but for a new flavour the restriction of the bottle colour being green works against it as it gets lost in the range and hides the red colour of the product. In terms of taste it’s OK but nothing special. Considering that this is aimed at the adult soft drinks market, it tastes more like a younger, standard fruit carbonate and although I would anticipate it selling well initially to Bottle Green loyalists, I would be surprised if it gained much in repeat purchase. Three stars
David Wright, soft drinks buyer, Asda


The Grocer
Bottlegreen’s move into sparkling grape juice is a challenge to the dominant position of Shloer in adult soft drinks. It is, however, a more premium offering, which Bottlegreen says is blended using traditional wine-making skills, and tastes less sweet than its main rival. The overall packaging is sophisticated, too. Bearing in mind Bottlegreen’s recent strong sales growth, I think the time is right for it to give Shloer a run for its money. Four stars
Anna-Marie Julyan, products reporter

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