Suppliers have drafted a social responsibility code for marketing and selling wine in response to a growing trend among binge drinkers to consume wine
The guidelines have been produced by the Wine Trade Action Group, which has 33 members who together supply more than half the wine sold in the UK.
They cover subjects including prevention of under-age purchase, sales promotions and an agreement to work towards unit labelling and displaying a sensible drinking message on bottles.
The action group hopes to persuade retailers to sign up to the new code. Mike Paul, director at Western Wines and action group chairman, said it was an indication of how the industry would like to move forward on social responsibility.
He hoped the guidelines could be incorporated into one code for the whole alcohol industry. “I think generally retailers are very responsible but in any trade you have mavericks,” he said. “But if 30 wine companies agree to do something it will set an example.”
It comes after research commissioned by the action group showed wine was likely to become a bigger factor in problem drinking unless the industry took action.
The findings, based on interviews with 1,311 consumers aged 18 to 34, showed beer was still the most popular tipple to get drunk on, with some 44% saying it featured in their binge-drinking repertoire. However, wine came in second place (25%) followed by vodka (23%) and RTDs (17%).
Although only a small number of binge drinkers said wine was the only drink they consumed, it is increasingly used as an early-evening mood enhancer, particularly by women.
Claire Hu
The guidelines have been produced by the Wine Trade Action Group, which has 33 members who together supply more than half the wine sold in the UK.
They cover subjects including prevention of under-age purchase, sales promotions and an agreement to work towards unit labelling and displaying a sensible drinking message on bottles.
The action group hopes to persuade retailers to sign up to the new code. Mike Paul, director at Western Wines and action group chairman, said it was an indication of how the industry would like to move forward on social responsibility.
He hoped the guidelines could be incorporated into one code for the whole alcohol industry. “I think generally retailers are very responsible but in any trade you have mavericks,” he said. “But if 30 wine companies agree to do something it will set an example.”
It comes after research commissioned by the action group showed wine was likely to become a bigger factor in problem drinking unless the industry took action.
The findings, based on interviews with 1,311 consumers aged 18 to 34, showed beer was still the most popular tipple to get drunk on, with some 44% saying it featured in their binge-drinking repertoire. However, wine came in second place (25%) followed by vodka (23%) and RTDs (17%).
Although only a small number of binge drinkers said wine was the only drink they consumed, it is increasingly used as an early-evening mood enhancer, particularly by women.
Claire Hu
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