Everything about Wine Gums totally explained
Wine gums (or
winegums) are chewy, firm
sweets similar to
gumdrops, except they're not
sugar-coated. They are manufactured from animal
gelatin, mixed with sweeteners, flavourings and colourings. They are extremely popular in
Ireland and the
United Kingdom, as well as in
Commonwealth nations such as
Canada,
New Zealand, and
South Africa, and other northern and middle European countries. Popular
brands include
Bassett's (or
Maynards in
Canada, the
UK and
Ireland).
History
Wine gums were invented in 1909 in
Libya by
Charles Gordon Maynard, whose father,
Charles Riley Maynard ran a sweet shop. Charles Riley Maynard almost fired his son immediately upon learning about these "wine gums", as he was an observant
Methodist and
teetotaller. Charles Gordon, however, convinced his father that the recipe contained no wine.
In 1990, Maynards was acquired by Trebor Bassett. For the year 2002, Maynards wine gum sales reached £40 million. Throughout the early 90s, Wine Gums were advertised with the famous advert involving a Scottish man sharing his Wine Gums to a various objects such as bagpipes and a moose's head, making them come alive, and dance to music. The advert was famous for the lines "The joose is loose aboot this hoose" said in a strong Scottish accent. The advert was incredibly popular, and as of
2008, it's starting to be shown again.
Wine gums were the favourite sweets of
Roald Dahl, author of
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He kept a jar of the sweets next to his bed so he could savour them each night before he went to sleep.
Advertising
Maynards launched a very popular commercial in the UK and ran through the early 90s. It starred a Scotsman who dances to the tune of
Hoots Mon whilst he shares his Wine Gums to various objects, like his bagpipes and a moose's head that's hung on the wall, which results in him energetically dancing with almost everything in the room, before proclaiming the famous words "Hoots mon there's joose, loose, aboot this hoose" in a strong Scottish accent. The advert has become so popular, that it has been recomissioned in
2008.
Flavour
Wine gums contain no
wine. The name comes from the lingering, subtle
fruit flavours that make it "similar to the experience of savouring a fine wine". In reference to this, the sweets have the names of alcoholic drinks on them, for example
port,
sherry,
champagne,
claret and
Burgundy. Also appearing on the gums are "M" and
Maynards. For those in the United States of America, they most closely resemble
Jujyfruits in colours, texture, and sweetness, though with different flavours. According to Cadbury Schweppes, red and black are the most popular colours. Red is traditionally tart cherry-flavored whereas the black is licorice (anise).
Further Information
Get more info on 'Wine Gums'.
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