Wincarnis: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|British tonic wine}}

'''Wincarnis''' (which is [[Latin]] for 'meat wine') is a brand name of a popular British fortified [[tonic wine]], and was originally called '''Liebig's Extract of Meat and Malt Wine'''[http://www.pharmj.com/Editorial/20031220/christmas/cheer.html]. It was originally produced by [[Colman's]] (of [[mustard]] fame) in [[Norwich]]. Wincarnis is now marketed as an aperitif wine and produced by [[Hedges & Butler]]. The wine no longer contains meat, although the recipe is a secret.

'''Wincarnis''' is a brand name of a British [[tonic wine]], popular in [[Jamaica]] and some other former British colonies.<ref name="EdNews">{{citation |url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=595292004 |title=Scottish tonic that's a hit in the Caribbean |work= Edinburgh News |date=25 May 2004 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050317043229/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=595292004 |archivedate=17 March 2005}}</ref> The name is derived from "wine ''carnis''", from the Latin meaning "of meat." It is a [[fortified wine]] (17%) now made to a secret recipe of grape juice, malt extracts, herbs and spices, but it no longer contains meat. Wincarnis has a similar taste to sweet [[sherry]].

[[File:The Great Restorative - geograph.org.uk - 532334.jpg|thumb|"Wincarnis: The Great Restorative," advertisement in [[Goodwick]], Wales.]]

==History==

{{stub}}

Wincarnis was produced before 1881<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/palmersindextot59unkngoog/palmersindextot59unkngoog_djvu.txt|title=Palmer's index to "The times" newspaper (1884)|year=1790}}</ref> by Coleman and Co Ltd in [[Norwich]], England. Devised by William Juby Coleman, it was originally called '''Coleman's Liebig's Extract of Meat and Malt Wine'''.<ref>{{cite web

| last = Homan

| first = Peter

| authorlink =

| title = Medicated Cheer

| publisher = The Pharmaceutical Journal

| date = December 2003

| url = http://www.pharmj.com/Editorial/20031220/christmas/cheer.html

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224144949/http://www.pharmj.com/Editorial/20031220/christmas/cheer.html

|archivedate=24 December 2007

| doi =

| accessdate = 2007-09-17 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/features/what-a-tonic-the-tale-of-how-wincarnis-energised-a-nation-1-5060028 |title=What a tonic! The tale of how Wincarnis energised a nation |date=13 June 2017 | first=Derek |last= James |work=Eastern Daily Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613162718/https://www.edp24.co.uk/features/what-a-tonic-the-tale-of-how-wincarnis-energised-a-nation-1-5060028/ |archive-date=13 June 2017 }}

</ref> It was advertised as made with [[Port Wine]], [[Liebig's Extract of Meat Company|Liebig's Extract of Meat]] and [[Malt#Malt extract|extract of Malt]], and called "the finest tonic and restorative in the world".

The brand was eventually owned by Hedges & Butler (part of [[Bass Brewery|Bass]]), which was acquired in 1998 by Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd of Broxburn, Scotland. Wincarnis is currently made by Broadland Wineries in Norfolk, and sold by Macleod.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wincarnis Original |url=https://www.broadlanddrinks.com/brands/wincarnis/wincarnis-original |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=Broadland Drinks}}</ref>

==Markets==

Wincarnis is now marketed as an aperitif wine. In Jamaica it is mixed with [[stout]] and [[milk]]. In Singapore, Malaysia and the Gulf, it is taken by new mothers as a tonic.<ref name="EdNews"/> It is well known by older people in the UK who use it as a tonic when not well. Ian MacLeod Distilleries marketing offers the ingredients:

<blockquote>Wincarnis Tonic Wine is a carefully formulated blend of enriched wine and malt extract with a unique infusion of selected therapeutic herbs and spices including [[gentian root]], [[mugwort]], [[angelica root]], [[balm mint]], [[fennel]] seed, [[coriander]] seed, [[peppermint]] leaves, [[cardamom]] seeds and cassia bark ... is a natural tonic incorporating herbs traditionally recognised for their ability to combat common ailments and alleviate their symptoms. It is rich in vitamins, especially energy-giving Vitamin B complex, and can have beneficial effects on the circulation system and blood pressure.<ref>[http://www.ianmacleod.com/brands/?id=26 Wincarnis Wines – Ian Macleod Distillers]</ref></blockquote>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==See also==

*[[Low-end fortified wine]]

*In the spoof "[[Mrs Wilson's Diary]]" in ''[[Private Eye]]'' magazine, British prime minister [[Harold Wilson]] was portrayed as a Wincarnis drinker.

*In the [[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire Television]] [[British television|British TV]] [[sitcom]] ''[[You're Only Young Twice]]'' the residents of Paradise Lodge often drink Wincarnis.

[[Category:Fortified wine]]

[[Category:British brands]]

[[Category:Drink mixers]]

{{wine-stub}}