Are brands’ moves to lower-abv drinks really about meeting consumer moderation trends or more to do with saving on the bottom line? Consumers will notice either way, says Jo Gilbert You might have heard the word ‘mid’ thrown about a fair bit recently – and not necessarily in the context of the burgeoning mid-strength alcohol category, which is quickly establishing itself as a…

While the moderation trend is significant, nuances and motivations vary around the world, the IWSR has found.  Richard Halstead, COO of consumer insights at IWSR, explained that claimed spending on alcohol generally continues to shrink because of “embedded moderation” and persistent economic pressures.  This is especially true, he noted, in Canada, South Africa, China and the US. However,…

Alice Chrystal, senior analytics executive at NIQ, gives the lowdown on the mid-strength opportunity As consumers continue to try to find a balance between enjoyment and health, mid-strength alcoholic beverages are gaining momentum. Across spirits, beer, cider and wine, the trend towards moderation is reshaping the landscape of the UK drinks industry. Added to this are the UK alcohol duty reforms…

For the adventurous drinker, world whisky makers are unlocking a whole new universe of flavour. But not everyone’s along for the ride. Kristiane Sherry discovers why some experts predict big things – but others remain cautious about the uncharted territory. It was the April Fool’s Day joke that wasn’t. In a coordinated press release, Stauning, Kyrö and other European rye whisky makers used…

Every year, the English Wine world gets bigger and more sophisticated. But, as the industry expands, will it change? Luma Monteiro investigates The English wine industry is absolutely booming, and the 2024 vintage is shaping up to be a landmark year. Wine GB recently reported over 1,000 registered vineyards and 220 wineries, signalling just how much the sector is expanding. With more than…

A new report commissioned by The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) has found that alcohol consumption per adult in Ireland fell by 4.5% last year.  The report, which was compiled by economist Anthony Foley, illustrates a continued downward trend that has been recorded over the past 25 years.  The average consumption per adult now sits at 9.49 litres of pure alcohol,…

Marcelo Papa, acclaimed technical director at Concha y Toro, has spent nearly three decades at the heart of Chile’s wine industry. Now, with an unrelenting focus on terroir-driven production, Papa is at the forefront of a transformation in Chile which produces wines not only consistent and scalable, but lean into the fine details of micro-regions and unique sites.  Concha y Toro is one…