Wincarnis

Wincarnis (which is derived from Wine Carnis Latin for 'of meat') is a brand name of a British tonic wine, popular in Jamaica and some other former British colonies. 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.

History

Wincarnis was produced before 1881 by Coleman and Co Ltd in Norwich, England. It was originally called Liebig's Extract of Meat and Malt Wine. It was advertised as made with Port Wine, Liebig's Extract of Meat and extract of Malt, and called "the finest tonic and restorative in the world".

The brand was eventually owned by Hedges & Butler (part of 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.

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. It is well known by older people in the UK who use it as "tonic" when not well. Ian MacLeod Distilleries marketing offers the ingredients:

"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."

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.