Wine Industry Blossoming in a Warm Climate
Posted on Mon 13th Jul 2015 at 12:52
Enthusiasm for wine has never been higher. A recent YouGov poll for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, for example, surveyed more than 2,000 people and found that that 54% of people had drunk wine at a restaurant in the last four weeks, making it the most popular choice of beverage with dinner.In pubs, furthermore, wine and spirits sales now account for almost half the beverages sold - with wine performing particularly well in gastro-pubs and new openings. Data produced by CGA Strategy for the Wine and Spirit T
Data produced by CGA Strategy for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association shows that not only have wine and spirits sales increased from 44.1% to 49.1% from 2010 to 2014, but that beer and cider have been directly hit, losing a corresponding 5% of sales in the same period. The Association's CEO, Miles Beale, commented that 'it makes clear business sense for pubs to respond to the growing popularity and importance of wine and spirits in attracting business'. The onus is therefore on the on-trade to curate first class wine lists that draw in new consumers to their premises. Although the most popular wines remain Pinot Grigio and Merlot, however, wines from the new world and other lesser-known areas are experiencing huge growth, suggesting that there is much custom to be gained from consumers who know a bit about wine and are keen to explore in the comfort of a known pub or restaurant. When you're reviewing your current list, it's also worth bearing in mind that further research has demonstrated a clear desire for better quality wines in the market. According to the Liberty Wines Premium On-trade Wine Report, values of higher quality wines were up 10.5% in premium outlets for the year to July 2014. As David Gleave MW, MD of Liberty Wines, has commented: "although consumers tend to stick to styles and varieties they know and trust we are increasingly seeing them trade-up to wines further down the list". With consumers growing more refined in their tastes, there has never been a better time to talk to your Stobi wine wholesaler Signature Wines to ensure you have great quality wines - particularly those that offer you a good profit margin, such as those which come from lesser-known wine regions like Macedonia. One other interesting finding from this research was that sales of rose have risen 30% across the premium on-trade wine market, and it now accounts for one in 10 bottles of premium wine sold in gastropubs and restaurants. With its reputation now as a year-round wine, this is a great style of wine to add to your stock. If you'd like to sample our new Stobi Rosé, which we import direct from the beautiful vineyards of Macedonia, please do get in touch.