Traditional English fruit wines are getting a modern makeover as Fuller, Smith & Turner relaunch their range of Gales Country Wines.

The brewer inherited the brand as part of the Gales Brewery portfolio when it bought the company in 2005 and says the wines, which have a cult local following, have a wider nationwide potential.

The original range of 24 wines has been cut to 12, including damson, apricot, sloe and blackberry.

Made from grape juice and fruit the wines will sell for about £5.99 to £6.99. The range has been repackaged to give them a more modern and striking look, binning the old green glass sherry-style bottles for clear glass and adding a new label highlighting the fruit.

"We are aiming at cask ale drinkers nationwide, as it was this market that initially took to the brand in the south of England," said Richard Oldman, business development manager. "We also want to bring in younger consumers by promoting the wines as a long summer spritzer-style drink."