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Wine gums

Wine gums are chewy, firm, fruit-flavoured confectionery that originated in the United Kingdom.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Wine gums are a chewy, firm, fruit-flavoured confectionery that originated in the United Kingdom. Despite their name and wine-related flavour labels such as sherry or port, they do not usually contain wine or alcohol. They are widely sold in the UK, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and other Commonwealth countries.

Description

Wine gums are chewy, firm sweets with a dense texture and fruit-flavoured profile. They are typically made from sugar, glucose syrup, gelatin or starch, and flavourings.

Origin and history

Wine gums originated in the United Kingdom, with sources commonly attributing their early development to the Maynard confectionery business in the late 19th or early 20th century. Maynards later became closely identified with the product.

Name and ingredients

The name refers to wine-like or adult-oriented flavour associations rather than alcohol content. Multiple sources state that wine gums contain no wine or alcohol, even when individual pieces are labelled with drink names.

Availability and brands

Wine gums are sold in the UK, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and several European markets. Major brands include Maynards, Bassett's, Haribo and Lion.

Key facts

  • Wine gums are a firm, chewy type of sweet, often described as a pastille or gummy candy.
  • They originated in the United Kingdom and are strongly associated with British confectionery.
  • The sweets usually contain no alcohol, despite their name and flavour labels.
  • Common flavour names include port, sherry, champagne, claret and burgundy.
  • Wine gums are especially popular in Canada and other Commonwealth markets.
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Canadian context

Wine gums are a familiar confection in Canada and are commonly sold there as part of British-style candy offerings.[1]

Frequently asked questions

Do wine gums contain alcohol?
No. Sources consistently state that wine gums are usually alcohol-free and do not contain wine.
Why are they called wine gums?
The name refers to a wine-like, more refined flavour image rather than actual alcohol content.
Where did wine gums come from?
They originated in the United Kingdom and are widely associated with British confectionery.
What are wine gums made of?
They are typically made from sugar, glucose syrup, gelatin or starch, flavourings and colourings.
Which brands make wine gums?
Common brands include Maynards, Bassett's, Haribo and Lion.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_gum
    Supports: Definition, origin, ingredients, market popularity, and common brands
  2. Sweets and Candy — https://www.sweetsandcandy.co.uk/blogs/post/truth-about-wine-gums.html
    Supports: Wine gums are alcohol-free and ingredient description
  3. Waterbridge — https://waterbridge.net/blogs/news/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-wine-gums
    Supports: Origin attribution and alcohol-free nature
  4. Appleton Sweets — https://www.appletonsweets.co.uk/blogs/news/all-you-need-to-know-about-wine-gums-the-sweet-facts
    Supports: No alcohol claim and common flavours
  5. Gourmet Boutique — https://www.gourmetboutique.net/blogs/tasting-room/17249971-maynards-wine-gums-post-by-mithu
    Supports: Shapes and formulation details
  6. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maynards
    Supports: Maynards as confectionery manufacturer associated with wine gums
  7. Sporked — https://sporked.com/article/what-are-wine-gums/
    Supports: History, product description, and brands