Wincarnis vs Sanatogen
Two heritage British tonic wines that were once household names, sold as restoratives in the early twentieth century. Today one is thriving abroad and the other has almost disappeared from UK shelves.
In short
Wincarnis (14% ABV) is a Norwich tonic wine made with malt and botanicals and still widely exported. Sanatogen (15% ABV) is a simpler, fruitier British tonic wine that grew out of a German tonic brand and is now hard to find.
| Wincarnis Tonic Wine | Sanatogen Tonic Wine | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Tonic wine | Tonic wine |
| Country | United Kingdom (Norfolk, England) | United Kingdom |
| Producer | Broadland Wineries (Broadland Drinks), Norfolk, for Ian Macleod Distillers | Accolade Wines Ltd (now part of Vinarchy) |
| Strength | 14% ABV | 15% ABV |
| Caffeine | Not published by the producer | Not published by the producer |
| Sweetness | Sweet | Sweet |
| Bottle sizes | 750 ml | 700 ml |
| UK availability | Specialist retailers | Hard to find |
| Style and flavour | Rich and sweet in the manner of a cream sherry, with a malty, almost biscuity depth. Warm spice from cardamom and cassia sits over a gently bitter, herbal finish that points to the gentian and mugwort in the recipe. | Sweet and fruity, with red berry and darker fruit flavours and a distinctly medicinal, herbal edge. Lighter in body than port, and simpler than Wincarnis or Buckfast. |
Which should you choose?
- Choose Wincarnis if you want the more complex, malty and herbal style, and one you can still buy easily.
- Choose Sanatogen if you remember it, can find a bottle, and like a lighter, fruitier tonic wine.
Read the full profiles of Wincarnis Tonic Wine and Sanatogen Tonic Wine, including sources.