Wine is top tipple for women bingers

Wine is emerging as the drink of choice among the growing legions of female binge-drinkers.

Pressure group the Wine Trade Action Group (WTAG), a committee of 33 wine companies, has revealed the alarming trend in independent research published last week.

The IPOS and MCM research defines binge-drinkers according to the government standard of drinking more than six to eight units 10 times a month, but also doubles this to reflect what most 18-35-year olds consider a more realistic amount.

The findings revealed that women binge-drinkers were on the increase and that 25 per cent of those asked claimed wine now "features in their binge-drinking repertoire". Close to half (48 per cent) of women were found to breach a 12-unit threshold at least once a month.

"A lot of people will be very surprised by the fact that wine is now being considered in this way," said Mike Paul, WTAG chairman. "Many think wine is not a problem but it could become one.

"But it is not easy to find a solution. We will do all we can in terms of the way we market wine to young people, and work to get a responsible message out there, but cannot control price promotions or glass sizes."

WTAG, which was formed in January this year, commissioned the research had been to identify typical patterns of binge-drinking, and the types of drinks most commonly consumed, focusing on London, Nottingham and Manchester.

WTAG has drafted its own social responsibility code of practice and is working with The Portman Group, which last week broadcast a cinema advert emphasising the problem of women binge-drinkers.