Ripple (wine)

Ripple is a discontinued discount, lightly carbonated, flavored fortified wine produced by E & J Gallo Winery. Ernest Gallo, during a period of expanding his winemaking business into new markets, introduced the brand when a 1959 change to wine regulations allowed mild carbonation in table wine. Ripple was widely popular during the 1970s due to its sweet flavor. Ripple was described as a low-priced, lightly carbonated wine positioned within the emerging U.S. "pop wine" market with marketing aimed at younger consumers. Ripple was made from the cheapest grapes available, Thompson Seedless, and was described as a "groundbreaking beverage", as it contained half the carbonation of Coca-Cola and double the alcohol of beer, and the low price made it attractive to college students and other underaged drinkers. Within the drinks industry, Ripple has been described as an early precursor to later flavored alcoholic beverages, including wine coolers and flavored malt drinks. Some commentary has characterized it as a "wine cooler before the term existed". Although the product has been discontinued, unopened bottles have acquired collector value.