First Cola flavoured wine launches in France

A French wine company, Haussmann Famille, has launched the world’s first cola-flavoured wine onto the market. The brand is Rouge Sucette (meaning red lollipop) and is only 9% alcohol, made from 75% grapes and 25% water, sugar and cola flavouring.

“The result is surprising; the balance between the bitterness of the wine and the sweetness of the cola is perfect,” says Pauline Lacombe, Haussmann Famille’s marketing director.

The wine was launched at Vinexpo and will target the “Coke generation” of younger drinkers as a way of easing them into the wine category. It also hopes to attract women and the more sweet-toothed Asian consumer.

The French are developing a thirst for flavoured wines – according to industry estimates, 30 million bottles will be sold in the country this year, up 50% on 2012.

Rouge Sucette Cola goes on sale throughout France in July priced at €2.95 a bottle and is being considered for a listing by UK supermarket Sainsbury’s.