Accolade Wines is extending its Hardys, Banrock Station and Stone’s brands into the canned ready-to-drink cocktail market.

The new Sparkling Collection, which rolls out to Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and One Stop next month, is designed to appeal to existing wine drinkers and attract more 25 to 35-year-old women to the brands.

Hardys Strawberry and White Peach Bellinis and Banrock Infusions, a blend of wine and summer berries, both have a 5.5% abv and an rsp of £1.85/250ml. And Stone’s Ginger Punch, a 5.4% abv mix of ginger wine and lemonade, will be available in a limited-edition Union Jack can, priced at £1.85. The drinks join Accolade’s two Echo Falls Spritz cans.

Wine-based products had the potential to command a third of the RTD can market in the next three to five years, claimed Accolade head of innovation Stephen Loftus.

“We’re looking to grow the wine and RTD sectors by offering something unique and exciting,” he added.

Accolade will be backing the launch with in-store, social media and print activity throughout June and July and is supporting Stone’s Ginger Punch next month with in-store displays in Morrisons in the run-up to the Diamond Jubilee.

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