The growing popularity of mid-strength and low-alcohol beer is something winemakers want to replicate to meet changing consumer tastes, but up to now they have struggled to create a product that drinkers can get on board with. That could be about to change.

Treasury Wine Estates, Australia’s top producer, has invested $15 million over the past two years in specialist equipment at its Bilyara winemaking complex in South Australia’s Barossa Valley to improve the process of making a low-alcohol wine. And later this year the company will roll out a new low-alcohol brand called Sorbet.