Legality test for low-alcohol wine

The legality of a new low alcohol wine is to be tested at the High Court.

The case puts under the spotlight a prohibition on it being sold in Britain, despite Government policy urging more sensible drinking.

Sovio Wines Ltd is seeking judicial review against the Food Standards Agency, which has claimed the drink, with an alcohol content of just 8%, is illegal under EU law. Sovio lawyers will argue at London's High Court that the FSA "acted in excess of its jurisdiction" in imposing the ban.