The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has won its campaign to get more low-alcohol wines on the shelves of stores.
After a campaign that lasted for 18 months, the WSTA said new European Union regulations will mean consumers get access to much more choice.
Wines made using reverse osmosis and “spinning cone” techniques – which reduce naturally occurring alcohol levels – are now allowed to be marketed across Europe.
Jeremy Beadles, WSTA chief executive, said: “We are delighted that the European Commission has changed the rules to allow producers and retailers the opportunity to offer customers a wider range of reduced alcohol wines.
“Customers have been saying for some time that they want more choice and these rule-changes should allow the industry to meet that demand.”
Asda recently said that sales of Champagne have risen at its stores, which is an anomoly as alcohol sales are generally falling.
Under the new law, producers implementing the techniques cannot make wine with an alcohol content of more than 2%.
The WSTA said last week that consumers are cutting back their spending on wine and focussing instead on promotions as the credit crunch begins to make its mark.
