IWSR data: Luxury spirits rise bucks market trends

Growth spots in the global spirits industry are offering an encouraging counter-picture to the moribund health of wine sales – although the category is having to come to grips with challenges impacting long-term premiumisation trends and the instability of major markets such as China.

Cognac sales slump for Moët Hennessey in Q1

Data released from parent company LVMH shows that its wine and spirits division Moët Hennessey has seen a year on year drop in revenue when comparing to Q1 2025 to Q1 2024, driven by a poor performance for its cognac and spirits brands. The luxury goods giant believes this revenue fall is partly due to the ongoing ripple effects of tariff uncertainty.

Bordeaux sees average market prices drop 18%

Analysis from fine wine consulting agency Wine Lister, shows that Bordeaux wines have seen their average market prices drop by 18% over the past 12 months.

South America Report: Chile’s new premium icons

For decades, Chile has been synonymous with value-for-money wines, pushing out reliable, well-structured reds and crisp whites that have found homes on shelves across the world. But at the heart of this wildly diverse country is one of the more impressive stories of terroir exploration to emerge in the 21st and latter 20th century.

Winecap: High demand growth expected for fine wine

The wine investment firm Winecap in its UK Wealth Report 2025 has revealed that 96% of British wealth managers expect demand for fine wine to grow in 2025, more than any other luxury asset.

Gallo doubles down on premium following 2024 slowdown

Californian specialist E&J Gallo is continuing to invest significantly in its luxury portfolio despite moderation headwinds coming thick and fast and the on-trade suffering in mature markets.

Napa Valley remains steadfast in its global outlook

Connor Best of Napa Valley Vintners, speaking at the recent Premiere Napa Valley tasting in London, explained that the premium wine region's outlook will stay resolutely outward-looking despite the potential impact of global trade wars.

Nick Gillett: Flavoured spirits – top tipples or faddy favourites?

Flavour. When it comes to food and drink – it’s the most important thing. As a producer, you can be entirely carbon neutral, use the finest ingredients, have the sharpest packaging – but if your liquid isn’t up to scratch, you won’t last long. But beyond that, producers are now using flavours to expand their ranges, tap into new markets, and attract new demographics of drinkers to their brands. As a man who has sampled thousands of liquids and has reasonably good taste (although I’m sure my colleagues might not agree, especially when it comes to taste in music or fashion!) here’s my reckonings about flavour trends in the spirits industry.

Champagne Day 2023: Recovery for the world’s top sparkler

Champagne appears to be holding onto its status as everyone’s favourite premium sparkling wine, new figures reveal, as the category continues an export drive dating back more than 20 years.

Chile ramps up focus on innovation at London tasting

First time visitors to this year’s Wines of Chile annual tasting in London could be forgiven for thinking that this is a country in a permanent state of evolution, often operating at the fringes of established viticulture to drive a rolling agenda of innovation.

Friday read: Can sustainability and luxury co-exist?

Ecommerce and premium offer opportunities in ‘challenging’ wine market

The latest analyses of the global wine market by IWSR offers some positives, though set against the prediction that the trend to drink less and drink less often will continue.

Jascots marks growth of premium range

Jascots Wine Merchants has recorded strong results for 2022, laying growth at the door of new business and an ongoing focus on range premiumisation.

Rioja's white exports grow, but overall market dips

The growth of Rioja’s white wines is paying dividends for the region in the export market, finally making good on a promise that the DO is able to diversify its portfolio abroad. However, things are looking a little less rosy globally in 2022, with uncertainty in various key markets leading exports to take a tumble.

Friday read: The big spending squeeze – are your brands ready?

Yvette Flower, strategic planner at ZEAL Creative, looks at the future of premium beer, wine and spirits sales, and how brands can insulate against the rising tide of inflation.  

Demand for super-premium wine and spirits heading for potential slump in US

A new report issued by Rabobank, the multinational banking and financial services company, has examined the potential for a looming US recession to shrink the hitherto booming market for luxury brands.

Tequila’s star continues to rise as supermarkets sales double

Tequila is stealing a march on other spirits categories, with an impressive 94% growth spurt in two years underpinning the rise of the Mexican spirit in the UK.

Fever-tree bar Edinburgh airport

FEVER-TREE BAR EDINBURGH AIRPORT

The drinks trend casualties in the cost-of-living crisis

As we hover on the edge of a possible recession, with inflation reaching a 40-year year high in June, it’s no surprise that UK consumers are tightening their belts.

DTC sales give Gusbourne post-pandemic boost

The latest financial results from English wine producer Gusbourne have reinforced the strong position of the category within the UK market.