Why Not?

• If wine gums contain no wine, where does the name come from? It was thought that the flavors of the candy were distinctive and lingered on your pallet long after they had been eaten--much like a glass of wine. Hence, each piece of wine gum in a pack will have a name such as port, sherry, burgundy, champagne or claret. Pieces come in five shapes: kidney, crown, diamond, circle and rectangle. They are made from gelatin, sweeteners, flavoring and coloring.
  
  

Popular in Britain

• The candy is one of the most popular treats in England, and there are several brands, including Maynards, Bassett's and Waterbridge. Wine gums have been made in Sheffield since 1991, and prior to that they were produced in Vale Road, London. According to Cadbury, which owns Maynards, Britons enjoy red and black wine gums most.
  
  

Significance

• Maynards long ago was purchased by Cadbury in the United Kingdom and accounts for approximately 50 million pounds and $80 million in sales. In July 2010, Cadbury began an advertising campaign to support "Fruit Duos"--a limited edition featuring six flavors: strawberry/lime, strawberry/blackberry, blackberry/apple, apple/pear, tangerine/pear and tangerine/lime. A new character, Maynard the Moose, was introduced to sell the product.