Blossom Hill Vie reviewer feedback thread - £100 voucher prize draw for feedback NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

This thread is for the 100 Mumsnetters who have been trying the reduced alcohol wine based drink from Blossom Hill – Vie 5.5%.

Here's what Blossom Hill Vie say, “The start of the new year is all about lighter choices – so it’s the perfect time to try Blossom Hill Vie 5.5%vol. Vie is a reduced alcohol wine based drink that has an elegant, light and fruity taste. It is the perfect choice for those occasions when you'd like a drink without the higher alcohol content – like lunch or early evening.

Vie has all the taste you'd expect from Blossom Hill – the nation's favourite wine*– but with only 5.5%vol and 30% less calories than Blossom Hill still wine. Vie is available in White - with hints of citrus, pear and apricot flavours and Rosé - with a floral aroma, ripe peach and strawberry flavours. Both are v. elegant, v. delicate and v. tasty choices – Vie 5.5%.

If you prefer sweeter style drinks, then Vie is perfect for you. We think it’s v. tasty, but would love to hear what you think! For more information about Vie and to explore more of the Blossom Hill range click here"

Thank you to all the testers who are taking part. Below are a few questions for you to answer but please feel free to add any other comments you have too.

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?
2. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?
3. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?
4. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?
5. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

Everyone who adds their feedback to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to be in with the chance of winning a £100 Debenhams Gift Card.

For those of you who didn't get to try Blossom Hill Vie 5.5% (or want to try again!) Click here to redeem your exclusive 50p off coupon.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

*Nielsen GB Total Trade (On's to 05 10 13, Off's to 12.10.13)
The BLOSSOM HILL words and associated logos are trade marks. Copyright BLOSSOM HILL Winery 2013.
Your comments may be used by Blossom Hill in marketing materials, anonymously of course.

1. White - it was a lot nicer than i expected, very refreshing
2. I would describe it as a light fruity taste
3. I am glad to hear it has less calories as i don't feel as guilty!
4. I would certainly recommend it
5. yes i will buy this again, i cannot tolerate stronger wines as much as i used to, and this is perfect for me as its so light but without taking the taste away.

I tried the rose. I love white Zinfandel/ Grenache and this is quite similar so I really enjoyed it. It also had a slight tang!
As above, the rose is like. White Zinfandel. It tastes like full alcohol wine.
I did know it was fewer calories from the add and also the bottle. I am following the slimming world plan so this is great!
Yes, I would recommend to my friends for a night when you fancy a glass of wine but don't want the side effects of standard wine!
Yes, I think the price is fine, and I would buy it!

Thank for the opportunity to try it!

No email

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

White. It was very nice.

1. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

Quite light and refreshing

1. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

I knew it had less calories but not how many

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

Probably. Think I'd better try another bottle just to be sure

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, as above, need to confirm that I like it

Thanks x

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

Vie - Elegant and Fruity - White. OMG it is lovely, I am normally a Lambrini girl, but this is fantastic. It was a shock at how nice it was.

1. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

Absolutely fab, well worth getting a bottle and trying it.

1. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

No I did not, but great news.

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It is just a brilliant lovely wine.

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes absolutely, would buy on a Saturday night to chill after work.

Okay not sure how to add a screen shot but if you get in touch with Michelle mnhq with your postal address and blossom hill will get you a new bottle. HTH

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

rose

1. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

Sweet without being sickly sweet! I only had a few sips as pg, but my mum was visiting and she enjoyed!

1. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

No. Bonus!

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes definitely

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes this is reasonable for a bottle of rose

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

Rose. I enjoyed it. I like that it is lower in alcohol because I don't drink to get drunk. I can have a couple of glasses of this and just feel nicely relaxed. I had a glass with dinner one night but it didn't really go with food, but it was very pleasnat as a drink on it's own.

2. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

Sweet, light, fruity, easy to drink

3. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

No, but this doesn't bother me as I am not restricting my calories

4. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, because I enjoyed it.

5. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, I probably will, but am more likely to buy aldi's version which is just as nice but cheaper as I regularly shop at aldi.

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?
I received the rose, I really didn't like it very much.

2. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?
I thought it had a lot more flavour than some of the low alcohol wines than I've tasted before but I thought that it tasted more like a cheap sweet sparkling cider than a rose wine.

3. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?
I am quite surprised about that as it was very sweet so I would have expected it to be quite calorific.

4. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?
No I have had nicer low alcohol wines/spritzers that taste more like full alcohol wine.

5. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?
No I think that £4.99 is quite expensive for the quality of the product, I've had nicer and much cheaper low alcohol wine and would be more likely to buy full strength Blossom Hill and then make it into a spritzer myself.

Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

I tried to Rose (my favourite wine), it was really nice and had the right amount of sweetness.

How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

Fruity, refreshing,sweet

Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

I didn't know until I received the bottle and this made for guilt free drinking!

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would definitely recommend it! It was yum!

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

Id buy again. It was well priced and yummy!

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

I tried the Rose, it was very refreshing.

1. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

A light alternative to wine, zingy.

1. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

I read that and it certainly appealed to me!

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would recommend the drink to my friends as I enjoyed it!

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

I most certainly would buy it as it's a great option to have when still having a busy lifestyle.

Thanks!!!

Regarding ThedementedPenguin's post, everyone should have received the email but if for whatever reason it didn't get to you please do let me know if you have received a bottle which has passed its best before date along with your address and whether you received white wine or rose. Blossom Hill will then send out another bottle. Blossom Hill have reassured me, however, that the wine should definitely still be drinkable and taste fine!

MichelleMumsnet - I have sent you an email - last night at about 22.20 if that helps!

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

I tried the rosé, I thought it was lovely, fruity, sweet but with a sharp kick. Very palateable.

1. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

I'd describe it as a light, sweet rose with a refreshing, crisp taste. It's a wine that can be drunk whatever the occasion

1. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

I read that in the letter that came with the bottle, it's an added bonus.

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes I would recommend it to my friends as most of us drink rosé and it compares well with the ones we usually drink with the added bonus of being lower calories and alcohol.

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would certainly buy it again as I enjoyed the taste. The price is very reasonable.

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?
I tried the white. I really liked it - was light and fruity without the funny after taste you sometimes get with white wines.

2. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?
I definitely tasted pear and apricot and would describe it as being a light, drinkable fruity wine.

3. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?
No, I didn't know this. Honestly though, the calorie content of wine wouldnt swing it for me, I have to enjoy the taste!

4. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I have a few friends who are breastfeeding and I would definitely recommend this to them.

5. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?
Thats a very reasonable price. If I saw it in the supermarket I would put a bottle or two in the trolly

Which Vie Variant did you try and what did you think

I am happy I got the Rose because I love pretty pink wine although I am myself, pretty much teetotal drinking maybe once a year and barely a swallow. I don't really like the taste of alcohol. However I do want to find a quaffable light wine that I can drink to join in and be sociable because I do feel left out sometimes. I can see that Rose could be seen as more feminine by many men and the bottle design with its Orchid graphic in pinks probably reflects these stereotypes.

My husband doesn't care about the wine being pink and doesn't consider things like this when he buys. So he had no problems trying it.

How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends

Both myself and my husband tasted the wine and here are both our thoughts.

Husband - Sweet w/ a gentle floral nose. Very perfumed in the glass. It reminded him of high quality Turkish Delight made w/ Rosewater. He didn't detect as much strawberry as I did and had he done so would not have drunk it as he dislikes strawberries intensely! He would describe it as a sweeter wine, one for people who do not like dry wines.

Me- I detected the strawberry cut w/ a warmer deeper note immediately. I hadn't read the description deliberately so as to avoid suggestion. I didn't do my usual 'judder' that drinking drier wines normally invokes so it must be pretty sweet! I would describe it as a Rose wine that tastes both exactly as I would hope based upon its pretty colour! It is gentle but the 'cut' stops it being sickly.I would love to make a Granita with this wine.

Would you recommend it to them? If so, why If not, why not

I would recommend it to my friends that I know like lighter wines. I definitely think a lower alcohol wine is a good thing especially considering the huge glasses many people use but I'm not sure I know anybody who would bother that much about the reduced calories. Most of the men I know drink real ale and they worry about the effect this has on their waistline and the bloating. They might enjoy an ale w/ reduced calories but no reduced taste!

What would be the perfect Vie time for you

I have long wanted to find a rose I could drink on picnics, at parties, BBQ's etc. I could imagine drinking this on Holkham Beach on a warmer Winters day, wrapped in a blanket and also in the warmer months. It feels like an 'outdoors' wine. I don't really drink at home but my Husband does and he like me said he thought this would market well in colder months not just Summer. He sees himself drinking this at an outdoor event such as a concert.

Did I know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill Still Wine

No because I know very little about makes of wines. I know now though.

Any Other thoughts you'd like to share

We would buy this again. Only because I actually tolerated the taste better than I normally do. iIt reminded me of the only other wine I've ever liked called 'Villa Lantana'. I've never found that wine again. I don't drink enough alcohol to worry about the alcoholic volume, neither of us drives with any alcohol in our system and again ,the reduced calories is not a factor that affects my buying choice. But I can imagine it appealing to dieters.

MNHQ I've emailed you a couple of times about this, please could you get back to me? Thank you!

Hi Michelle, received all of the emails but still haven't got my wine! Do you think my postie has nicked it?

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

I tried the rose. Please note this is my first review as I noted the bottle was almost a year past its best before date. If I receive a replacement bottle in time, I will review again to see if the taste is different. I love rose normally, particularly sweet ones. This however was really too sweet even for me. I struggled to drink even a quarter of a glass. I didn't realise until I read this thread that it was meant to be sparkling, but had noticed when drinking it that it had a strange feel on the tongue.

1. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

Very (too) sweet and fruity, with a strange slight fizz - like a rose watered down with flat lemonade.

1. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

No, I don't really think about calories when it comes to wine. If you are watching your weight, probably best to avoid booze altogether.

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

Not sure I would, because of the overly sweet taste and the funny 'fizz'.

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

That is about the price we pay for a rose, more if I know I really like it. I would like a low alcohol wine for the occasional treat when breast feeding, but given I didn't really enjoy this I don't think I'll be reaching for it again.

Mines out of date too! Have sent a PM

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

We tried the Rose which was delicious, really enjoyed it.

1. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

It's light and refreshing, slightly sweet, but with lots of strawberry aroma and flavour.

1. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

What a bonus!

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would definitely recommend it, especially for light lunchtime drinking, or to fellow breastfeeding mummies. I think it would be especially great during the summer for barbecues, parties or all fresco drinking. No 'oops, I've over-indulged!' afternoon nap required! ;-)

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, definitely. It's a great price, and would be ideal for the summer, as mentioned above.

Thanks for picking us, really enjoyed the wine!

I tried the rose wine and thought it was really nice.

I'd describe it as fresh and fruity without any unpleasant after taste that you sometimes get with wine.

I didn't know that it was less calories but it makes sense as it is lower alcohol.

I would recommend it to friends as it's a good bottle to share

I look forward to drinking it outside in the summer evenings when the children are in bed.

I would buy it at the advertised price but a special offer always makes it more appealing.

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think

I tried the white is was so nice and light

1. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

nice and refreshing

1. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

yes that sthe first thing i saw and yes it tasted lighter

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

Definitely. I think most people are trying to be health-conscious these days. If you can make a healthier choice and still drink wine, what's not to love? yes I would recommend it to my friends it would be a great healthy win and I think every one would like it

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, I think so

what a bargain at £4.99 I d buy afew bottles

1. Which Vie variant did you try – white or rosé? What did you think?

I tried the rosé, I really liked it. Quite light and refreshing.

1. How would you describe the taste of Vie to your friends?

I'd describe it as light, fruity and tasty without the strong alcohol taste (which I don't like in some wines)

1. Did you know that Blossom Hill Vie has 30% fewer calories than Blossom Hill still wine?

No but I do now.

1. Would you recommend it to them? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes I would, because fewer calories and less alcohol would appeal to my friends who are mums as something they could enjoy a glass of without a raging hangover.

1. The RRP for Blossom Hill Vie is £4.99 per bottle. Do you think you'd be likely to buy it again? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes I would, in fact I'm going to look for a bottle today when I go shopping.

Waitrose doesn't stock it in my region

They have 'full fat' Vie Rose but not the low cal version. Bit reluctant to buy the full fat as so fussy about wine that I'd probably not like it.