News

Despite widespread cost-of-living pressures and a global trend towards alcohol moderation, younger legal-drinking-age consumers, particularly Gen Z, are increasingly re-engaging with alcohol, according to IWSR’s Bevtrac consumer sentiment tracker. Although overall spending on alcohol has declined across leading global markets, Gen Z’s participation has notably risen, challenging the belief that this generation is turning away from alcohol. Their consumption rates have returned to levels comparable to the general population, and they show a strong interest in trying different drink categories and going out more often than older cohorts. The March 2025 survey found a mixed global picture. India and China…

The Drinks Business has an interesting article that challenges the common belief that alcohol completely evaporates during cooking. While it’s true that heat causes alcohol to evaporate, the process is more complex than often assumed. Scientific tests show that depending on the cooking method and duration, a significant amount of alcohol can remain in food. For example, simmering for just 15 minutes may leave 40% of the alcohol, while even after 2.5 hours, up to 5% can still be present. This is not necessarily a concern for most, as alcohol can add depth, aroma and complexity to dishes in ways…

I noticed a trend, at the London Wine Fair, that producers are increasingly selling directly via their own and wine platforms, and this shift is supported by recent data from IWSR, which projects that the global online alcohol market will exceed $36 billion by 2028. According to IWSR’s Ecommerce Strategic Study, covering 18 key markets including the UK, this represents a 20% increase in value over five years, indicating a move from the erratic pandemic-influenced period to more stable, sustainable growth. The study highlights that digital platforms now influence not only online but also offline alcohol purchasing decisions. Many consumers…

The new free report by Rabo Research explores why Generation Z appears to be consuming significantly less alcohol. Although this report is based on data from the United States, its insights are globally relevant. The cultural, technological, and economic forces shaping Generation Z’s drinking habits are not confined to national borders. Similar patterns are observable in other developed countries, including the UK, where young people are also drinking less than previous generations. Contrary to popular belief that this decline is driven by health concerns or image-conscious social media habits, the research identifies more structural causes. Firstly, much of Gen Z…

I don’t visit UK pubs all that often, but when I do, I rarely find the wine experience enjoyable. Over the past year alone, I’ve been served red wine that had been stored next to warm lights, had small glasses filled nearly to the brim on multiple occasions and even came across a pub that didn’t have a wine list at all, just a few vague verbal suggestions. Mick Steward, writing for the London Wine Fair website, reflects on his reluctance to order wine in pubs despite his long career in the wine trade. He notes that while some pubs…

Wine Australia’s latest Market Bulletin explores a significant global trend in the wine industry: a consistent and widespread decline in wine consumption over recent years. Between 2018 and 2023, global consumption dropped by around 3.1 billion litres, equivalent to approximately 31 billion standard glasses of wine. This pattern of reduction is not limited to one region but is evident across a range of mature and emerging wine markets. Forecasts suggest that if current trends continue, a further billion litres could be lost by 2028, which would amount to a total decline of around 20 percent over a ten-year period.  Source:…

New research on Dealcoholized wine: Techniques, sensory impacts, stability, and perspectives of a growing industry“ is a detailed review examining the production, sensory implications, stability concerns and future prospects of dealcoholised wine. Growing interest in dealcoholised wine is largely driven by health-conscious consumers, social trends encouraging reduced alcohol intake, and legal considerations such as road safety. Consumers increasingly seek alternatives that offer the benefits and enjoyment of traditional wine without the associated alcohol content. The global market for such products is expanding rapidly, estimated to exceed US$10 billion. The review outlines a range of post-fermentation techniques used to remove or…

The latest Drinks Retailing Trends Report offers a comprehensive snapshot of the UK wine sector, with a particular focus on the top-selling wine brands and emerging trends. Among still wines, Yellow Tail now holds the top position with sales of £222.8 million, marking a 9.8% increase over the previous year. It overtakes Hardys, which experienced a steep decline of 18.1% to £173.8 million. Barefoot and Casillero del Diablo follow, with modest gains of 1.5% and 7.7% respectively. However, the most significant shift is the dramatic rise of La Vieille Ferme, also known as “The Chicken Wine”, which surged by 49.4%…

IWSR is reporting that wine markets are increasingly reliant on drinkers aged 55 and above, as younger legal drinking age consumers are drinking wine less frequently. In Australia, for instance, the number of 18–24-year-olds consuming wine at least monthly halved between 2010 and 2023. This trend presents a challenge for wine producers trying to engage Gen Z, a generation that is health-conscious, interested in moderation, and exposed to a wider range of beverage options. Gen Z consumers are less familiar with traditional wine regions and varietals and are sensitive to price increases. They are also moving away from traditional wine-drinking…