When it comes to Maynards vs Taveners Wine Gums, which bulk sweet option is best for your display? Find out here as we compare both to help you make a decision.
Wine Gums are one of those sweets that never goes out of style. Adults love them, and kids love to believe they’re sampling actual wine flavours (even though we all figure out at some point that wine gums have no alcohol in them at all).
The chances are - no matter how old you are - that you’ve indulged in your fair share of wine gums. Maybe they were your go-to after-school sweet, or you never pass a pick-and-mix counter without adding them to your bag.
Perhaps you want to make sure your customers have the best selection of wine gums available or are stocking up for an event.
Two brands stand out: Maynards and Taveners. Both are household names with long-standing reputations, and they’re also available with huge bulk discounts at Appleton Sweets.
The Heritage Factor

We covered the complete history of wine gums in a previous post, but here’s a short overview:
The sweets were created in 1909 by Charles Gordon Maynard. Because his father was a teetotaller, Maynard had to convince him that the rich sweets contained no alcohol.
While Maynards already existed, the creation of wine gums propelled the company into the globally renowned brand it still is today.
While Mondelēz International officially merged Maynards and Bassetts into a combined brand in 2016, the company is still synonymous with wine gums.
Taveners
Taveners was established in 1904 by William Henry Tavener. While he’d initially started making sweets in the late 1800s, they were a side hustle to his pickling and sauce business. Ask anyone today, though, and they’ll almost always associate the brand with confectionery.
Taveners has a long-standing reputation for creating traditional sweets, and the company is still going strong today.
So, while the brand didn’t create wine gums, they’re still one of the core creations offered by Taveners.
Texture and Taste
This is where we see the biggest difference between both brands. Maynards are known for their soft and slightly spongy texture. Taveners have the retro feel because the wine gums are harder and chewier.
Fans of the sweets will also notice differences between the taste of each brand - even though they’re quite subtle.
For example, Maynards are known for their rich, deeper flavours that create the full-bodied taste of wine, while Taveners has more of a traditional fruity taste.
Presentation and Display
Both Maynards and Taveners Wine Gums come in bulk bags, but the presentation and display differences are clear. Maynards come in a signature red bag, with white and yellow elements, creating an eye-catching display.
However, if you’re looking to create a jar or pick-and-mix display, Taveners have a slight edge. The sweets come in vibrant colours and have a uniform design.
Price and Profits
When deciding which sweets to stock, price and profit margins are key considerations; in most cases, Taveners Wine Gums tend to be cheaper than Maynards.
For example, we offer a 3kg bag for just £9.99 while a 1kg bag of Maynards Wine Gums can cost £7.50 to £9.99 depending on where you shop.
So, if affordability and profit margins are your priority, Taveners wins this one.
Shelf Life and Handling
Both options are great for sweet shops, but it’s important to remember that wine gums struggle in humidity and heat.
For this reason, it’s important to store them out of direct sunlight and fill jars when needed, instead of putting everything on display.
Other Wine Gum Brands
It’s worth mentioning some other great options if you want to stock up on wine gum sweets. If you’re looking for traditional options, Lion Wine Gums have a harder texture and focus more on liquorice notes rather than traditional blackcurrant.
Many sweet shops cater for customers with unique dietary preferences, and that’s where De Bron Sugar-Free Wine Gums are an excellent option. They’re suitable for individuals with diabetes, or those who want to reduce their sugar intake.
Which Should You Stock?
Maynards are unquestionably the go-to option for customers who want a tube or sharing bag of wine gums, but Taveners is the best solution for sweet displays, as you can reduce your costs, get creative, and increase your profits.
So, it’s not a case of choosing one over the other, because both are ideal for confectionery stores.
If you’d like to stock up on wholesale wine gums, Appleton’s has a range of options available at low prices. With no minimum order amount and free UK delivery on orders over £500, our wholesale confectionery is suitable for everyone.
Please get in touch with us today if you need advice.