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.
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…)
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…)
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.
With wildfires, climate change and overcrowding in California, Oregon — and most notably Pinot Noir — is having a moment.
Oregon ranks third as the largest wine producer in the United States, behind California and Washington.
From 2016 to 2017, Oregon added 88 vineyards, totaling 1,144 wineries. The total planted acres of grapes for wine increased by 3,000, or 10.5%, from 30,435 to 33,361.
California, of course, will always remain the dominant wine producer, but with its wildfires putting some wineries out of production for five years or more, Oregon is having its chance to shine.
Every election cycle it seems there’s another state that has legalizing marijuana on the ballot. As more states legalize recreational cannabinoids, legislators and alcohol producers are tussling over cannabis-infused alcohol.
Recreational cannabis is currently legal in 10 states and the District of Columbia, while a further 13 states have decriminalized possession. California ranks as the largest legal market, where the market research firm BDS Analytics reported that $2.51 billion worth of cannabis was sold in 2018.
When legalized marijuana started to gain popularity, some wine and spirits producers feared it would hurt alcohol sales. However, others have found that they can take advantage of new laws and are finding ways that cannabis can complement their wine sales. Let’s take a look.
The experience of buying wine and spirits is no longer limited to the liquor store. Consumers can buy almost anything online, but for years the alcohol industry was slow to transition sales online because of strict state laws.
As the laws are relaxing and online is more dominant than ever, the transition to selling online has happened and is growing rapidly. Let’s examine this trend and how alcohol suppliers can take advantage of it.
Craft distilleries are popping up across the country. The 1,835 distilleries that now exist is a growth of 15.5% from 2017 to 2018, which is substantial and catapulting the industry out of a “niche” category.
Craft distilleries are also selling more units, which each, on average, selling 4,096 cases in 2017. That’s up 0.9% from the previous year, according to Wine Magazine. (more…)
Family wineries are on the rise and are being noticed more by consumers. With the rise of the DTC channel and enotourism, the family-owned winery finally has a shot to compete with the larger brands.
Consumers are looking for authentic experiences that match their values, and family-owned wineries are delivering. Let’s take a look.
For some wineries, farming organically has always been a way of life, but others are adding organic wine to their portfolio to keep up with consumer demand.
In fact, more than 1 billion bottles of organic wine are set to be consumed around the world in 2019. While it still only accounts for 3.6% of all consumption, that number is expected to continue to grow by 2022.
The organic wine segment has been growing over the past few years, as consumers are focused more on what they eat and drink.