On the face of it a simple sweet made from gelatine, sugar and flavourings is an unlikely British institution, but we include it for good reason – several in fact.
Wine gums are part of our national vocabulary – “He’s been on the wine gums again,” for example; or the current advert for a cheap German car where studenty grandson patronises his Nan with a jibe about them including real wine in her wine gums.
Add to that the Maynards ad campaign in the 90s – “Hoots, mon there’s juice loose aboot this hoos,” with a manic dancing Scotsman and talking moose-head. Classic.
Thirdly, there is a pleasing air of mystery about the history of the product, claimed to be the invention of Charles Gordon Maynard in 1909. Has there ever been wine in them? If not, why are they called wine gums? (The most common explanation is that Maynard was a teetotaller and they were meant to distract drinkers from the evils of the bottle; brilliant idea). And why along with versions stamped with Burgundy, Claret etc are there ones with gin and brandy, obviously spirits?
Lastly, they are surely the most debated sweet: which brand rules? When to eat them, fresh from the packet and still gummy, or aged and a bit tougher? Which flavour is best (all right-thinking people agree blackcurranty-black)? Personally I’d always go for Lions from the sweet-shop jar, preferably when it’s nearly empty, the gums hard and maddening in the mouth.
A warning: there is no wine in wine gums, but they are addictive. All the cool kids are eating them so you give it a try; you buy a few rolls, then next thing you’re secretively eating full bags on short car trips. Soon you’re doing Midget Gems. Of course you can stop anytime, but not just yet.
More British Institutions
Afternoon Tea
Allotments
April Fools Day
Big Ben
Binge Drinking
Black Cabs
Bonfire Night
British Sense of Humour
Brown Windsor Soup
Burns Night
Cadburys
Castles
Changing the Guard
City of London
Coronation Street
Cowes Week
Cricket
Crufts
Dad’s Army
E-Type Jag
Eccentricity
English Country Garden
Fish and Chips
Fish Fingers
Fox Hunting
Full English Breakfast
Gin and Tonic
Glastonbury
Glorious Goodwood
Grand National
Grouse Shooting
Harrods
Highland Games
Hogmanay
James Bond
John Bull
King Arthur
Land Rover
Lloyds of London
London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally
Marks and Spencer
Monty Python
Morecambe and Wise
Old School Tie
Oxbridge
Panto
Picnics
Pimms
Point-to-Point
Punch and Judy
Queueing
Real Ale
Red Arrows
Red Telephone Boxes
Remembrance Poppies
Robin Hood
Rolls Royce
Royal Ascot
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Savile Row Suits
School Discos
School Sports Day
Seaside Piers
Speakers’ Corner
Stag Nights
Stiff Upper Lip
Strawberries and Cream
Street Markets
Summer Festivals
Sunday Roasts
The Archers
The BBC
The Beano
The Boat Race
The Brass Band
The British Bobby
The Bulldog
The Church of England
The Cup Final
The Curry House
The English Rose
The Garden Shed
The Honours System
The Kilt
The Last Night at the Proms
The London Bus
The Mini
The National Trust
The NHS
The Oak
The Pub
The Queen’s Speech
The Rolling Stones
The Royal Christmas Message
The Spitfire
The V Sign
The Village Fete
The Weather
Travelling Fairs
Trooping the Colour
Village Greens
Wedgwood
Wellington Boots
Wimbledon
Wine Gums
Yeomen of the Guard
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