Raisin wine that wasn't...

[Wiirone]

Anyone from southeast London remember the Co-op selling own brand Raisin Wine during the 60s and 70s? It wasn't wine or even alcoholic but a very sweet, deep red type of soft drink that you had in small quantities. I remember my grandmother buying it for us at Christmas and we pretended we were drinking real wine. It doesn't seem to be sold anymore (probably falling foul of the trade description act and full of banned additives!) and the supermarket cannot even seem to trace ever having sold it.
I have asked this question here before but wonder if any new readers know of it.

[boxtops]

Here's how to make your own http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/reques97.asp

[woofgang]

boxy that's an alcoholic drink, the OP said that the drink he remembered wasn't

[boxtops]

That's true - everything I've googled for raisin wine says it (or its other name, straw wine) is from grapes and IS wine.

[boxtops]

This must be the same OP! http://wiki.answers.c...in_late_50s_early_60s

[Buenchico]

Chestnut Locks states here that, while it was known as 'Raisin Wine', it was actually 'Raisin Cordial':
http://chat.allotment...p?topic=60227.10;wap2

That led me to Pogo6863's post here, which reminds me how old I am (because I can remember the same things!)
;-)

[boxtops]

so could it be Raisin Cordial, according to this thread? http://chat.allotment...p?topic=60227.10;wap2

[Buenchico]

Snap!

[boxtops]

:-)

[Wiirone]

Oops, never thought of it as a cordial. It was just poured into little glasses and given to us children to be drunk undiluted! Was too young to be bothered with reading the bottle but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a cordial.

[Quirkylexi]

Hmm unfortunately I'm not old enough to remember that but you could always stick the kettle on and make ur darling a lovely Devine cup of tea ;)

[Wiirone]

Make it yourself :) I'll have a digestive ta x

[Quirkylexi]

Cheeky weasel :/ ly x urs is much nicer and I have incredibly sore tootsies

[Wiirone]

Stop abusing my thread darling Toad :) x

[Prudie]

I don't recall the brand but certainly was given raisin wine every Xmas as a child and would pretend it was alcoholic. vague memories of a mustard yellow label and can just remember the taste as I'm typing this.

[Quirkylexi]

Ok time to behave darling people will think were nucking futs xx

[Wiirone]

Thanks so far everyone. Some things shouldn't have been meddled with and Co-op raisin wine is one of them.
Parma Violets on the other hand... :p yuk!

[woofgang]

the word cordial while it often means that it should be diluted, doesn't always.

[Speth]

Yes, I do indeed remember it. In fact I found your question because i was searching for it myself. We didn't have it as pretend wine, since children were permitted wine in my parents' house (in small amounts) but we had it as a wonderful drink in its own right. And I wish i could still get it.

And yes, it was from the Co-op. We lived in London so it was available in London co-ops and possibly not elsewhere.

[Speth]

Yes indeed. I grew up in East Dulwich and the Co-op there sold raising cordial at Christmas. Wonderful. We didn't have it as 'pretend wine' but loved it for itself and wished they would sell it all year round. Wish it was still sold now!

[tishbee]

IVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THIS ALSO ,AS MY NAN USE TO GIVE IT TO US ALSO AT CHRISTMAS I DID FIND IT AGAIN AROUND 8 YEARS AGO BUT AGAIN THE SHOP CLOSED DOWN THE BEST LEAD I HAVE AT THE MOMMENT IS ...IT WAS CALLED" TYLEHURST PRIORY RAISIN FLAVOURED SACRAMENTAL FROM A COMPANY AMETHYST.ORG .UK I WAITNG FOR A REPLY FROM A PLACE THAT USE TO STOCK IT ..FINGERS CROSSED !