by Meredith Galante | Oct 8, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
Millennials love trying new things, and restaurants are catering to their desires.
If you’re grabbing dinner at Italian eatery Aunt Jake’s in New York City, you’ll see a wheel on your menu. It prompts you to choose a spirit, then choose between sweet or spicy, and finally, a garnish, produce, or syrup. The restaurant asks customers to trust them with the rest. Out comes a fancy, never-before tasted cocktail custom-made for the patron.
Restaurants are pulling out all the stops with their menus to attract new customers by impressing their taste buds with specialty cocktails and expert-curated wine menus. This is providing a big opportunity for wine and spirits producers. Here’s how you can capitalize on this trend. (more…)
by Meredith Galante | Oct 1, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
Consider this list: John Legend, Drew Barrymore, Steph Curry, Jon Bon Jovi, and Sarah Jessica Parker. What do all of these people have in common?
We’re not talking about the Oscars or an A-List Hollywood party. All of these celebrities and stars share something besides being famous: they all make wine.
Actors, singers, and sports stars are putting their big names behind smaller wineries — or creating their own brand — to celebrate their love of wine and spirits. Stars are taking their fame, pairing it with their love for spirits and helping brands increase sales.
Celebrities are making money off the spirits, too. Just take George Clooney’s Casamigos which sold for $1 billion to Diageo in June 2017.
But who is buying these products, and are they any good? (more…)
by Meredith Galante | Sep 24, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
American drinkers are looking for a unique, refined taste in their spirits, and they’re looking to Asia to find it.
The Asia-Pacific alcoholic spirits market is estimated to grow by 4.42% between 2018 and 2026, according to Inkwood Research.
The top three Chinese spirits brands are now valued at more than $1 billion, and looking to expand globally. More and more U.S. drinkers are turning to Asian spirits, which they see as exclusive and high-end. Here’s how you can take advantage of this trend.
(more…)
by Meredith Galante | Sep 17, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
George Clooney has a strong allure with many Americans, but the latest fascination they have with him is what he’s drinking.
Celebrities and consumers are taking an interest in agave-based spirits since Diageo’s $1 billion takeover of George Clooney’s top-end tequila brand, Casamigos. Diageo reported that tequila sales rose 37% last year, thanks to the rising popularity of its Don Julio label.
Agave spirits have been growing in popularity, but in 2019 they’re finally getting their time in the spotlight. Let’s examine this trend and how distilleries can capitalize on it.
(more…)
by Meredith Galante | Sep 10, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
When vodka comes to mind, it’s easy to think basic and mainstream — not refined and classy.
But if spirits snobs think “flavorless” vodka doesn’t have a place in the craft cocktail era of 2019, they’re very wrong.
Spirits sales are rising, with millennials driving the uptick. Even with this group’s desire to experiment and try new things, vodka remains the king of the spirits. Let’s examine this drink’s staying power and how spirits suppliers and distributors can capitalize on it.
(more…)
by Meredith Galante | Sep 3, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
First it was rosé, now it’s orange wine? 
Maybe you’ve walked by a restaurant and saw diners drinking what looks like a Fanta orange soda from a wine glass. But it’s not soda, it’s orange wine.
It may seem like a new fad, but this “trend” is actually 8,000 years old. Orange wines primarily come from the country of Georgia (not the state – that’s peach), and exports have risen 54% in the last year.
(more…)
by Meredith Galante | Aug 28, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
Perhaps most drinkers can’t tell the difference between a glass of prosecco and Champagne, but nevertheless they are buying more bubbly — and it’s not just to celebrate.
In social circles, drinkers may interchange “Champagne,” “sparkling wine,” and “prosecco,” but there are distinct differences in where it’s made, how it’s made, and what grapes are used to make it. Let’s look at some of the trends in Champagne vs. prosecco, and what wine suppliers and distributors need to consider in their sales process. (more…)
by Meredith Galante | Aug 20, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
Too many hot, red flames have burned through California wine country destroying vines and potential delicious vintages. Temperatures during harvest season in the mountains of Spain are not the same as last year. Wine makers are not trying to get political — but climate change is affecting their crops and the wines you’re drinking.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that temperatures will increase between 3.6 and 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century, and this is affecting how wine grapes grow. How can those in the wine industry react to this change? Technology can help. Let’s examine. (more…)
by Meredith Galante | Aug 13, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
Social media influencers encourage their followers to buy clothes, beauty products, and now wine.
Wine labels are moving beyond traditional Facebook and Instagram pages and are now reaching out to influencers. The social-media stars look like they live an envious life, and sipping some sauvignon blanc by the pool adds to that allure.
Three out of four businesses are on social media — causing customers to expect an online presence rather than appreciate it as an added bonus.
Social media is allowing customers to have conversations around wines and helps the brand project the lifestyle you could have by drinking their product. Let’s examine the impact social media is having on the wine industry and how suppliers can use influencers to increase sales.
(more…)
by Meredith Galante | Jul 30, 2019 | Wine & Spirits |
As hot as summer is, rosé is even hotter as the summer drink of choice.
Rosé saw a 48% growth in the last year to $466 million in sales, according to Nielsen.
Customers are consuming rosé any way they can: rosé by the glass, sparkling rosé, frozen rosé, rosé wine gummy bears and lollipops, and rosé beauty products all captured the fancy of consumers of both genders eager to enjoy the playful side of this classic drink.
While peak rosé was definitely the summer of 2017, the wine is still winning summer. Let’s take a look and examine how wine suppliers can best capitalize on this pink trend.
(more…)
