THE EXPERT Arabella Woodrow Master of Wine and wine buyer for Forth Wine Given this only has 1.2% alcohol it is not a bad drink. It does not taste the same as a full blooded chardonnay but will appeal to its target market. Without the alcohol it becomes a little insipid. It has some aroma and the balance is OK. It is dry without being tart and it has a reasonable mouthfeel for something without alcohol. The name chardonnay will sell it, but it is not a good advertisement for the grape. The packaging is good and you could do a lot worse with what it is trying to be. Success rating out of 25 ­ 18 THE DESIGNER Matt Thompson Associate director of Blackburn's, a brand packaging designer Many low alcohol offerings fall into the trap of slavishly copying the visual language of the wine marketplace in an attempt to gain credibility. This one boldly behaves differently, with shrink wrap giving a point of difference leaving traditional labelling and the word 'Chardonnay' to suggest a wine link. After gaining our attention, these techniques begin to show their limitations. No emotional triggers, no indication of what or where is Green Ridge, or of the product that lies in store. Looks may induce initial trial, but it is the personality of the brand as well as the product itself that keeps people loyal. Success rating out of 25 ­ 15 The buyer Adam Marshall Licensed trading controller at Nisa-Today's This has recently undergone a packaging revamp which has ditched the old dark green and blue for a more striking silver and yellow. It's a very busy pack that to me lacks definition. I can't help thinking the full wrap sleeve is superfluous and lacks elegance. It has some hints of Chardonnay although it is very subdued. It's pleasant enough and easy to drink. The big question is ­ who will buy this? There is usually a readily available supply of mineral water and a choice of wines to mix with it to make a spritzer, so why buy a ready mixed? On the other hand, as an alternative to soft drinks for glugging in the garden when the sun is out it's not unpleasant. Success rating out of 25 ­ 15 Total score out of 100 ­ 70 {{DRINKS }}

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