A raft of new lower-alcohol wines were unveiled at the London International Wine Fair.

One of the most innovative was Vinni, a 5.5% abv moscato in a cider-style 568ml bottle that has a crown seal and is positioned like a beer or cider. Australian Vintage, which owns Vinni and the McGuigan brand, said Vinni was expected to retail at £2.99 and feature in two-for-£5 promotions at times. It will also be sold in eight-packs.

The brand’s innovative positioning would stand out from existing low-alcohol lines and help the category grow, said Paul Schaafsma, Australian Vintage general manager UK and Europe. “There are about 10 or 15 low-alcohol wines on the market at 5.5 % abv that look and taste the same - how do they differentiate themselves other than by price?” he said.

Another lower-abv product at the fair was Val D’Orbieu’s Cap Soleil grapefruit-flavoured wine drink. The 10% abv product, pitched as an aperitif, is made from syrah rosé French wine, sugar and concentrated pink grapefruit juice.

The company plans to launch a standard 75cl bottle and a three-litre pouch in the UK priced at £6.99 and £15-£18 respectively.

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