Beverage Industry logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Beverage Industry logo
  • NEWS
    • R&D News
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Reader's Choice Poll
  • CATEGORIES
    • Alternative Drinks
    • Beer
    • Bottled Water
    • Cannabis Beverages
    • Carbonated Soft Drinks
    • Energy Drinks & Shots
    • Juice & Juice Drinks
    • Plant-Based Beverages
    • Sports Drinks
    • Tea and Coffee
    • Wine & Spirits
  • R&D
    • Beverage R&D Features
    • Ingredient Spotlight
  • PACKAGING
    • New Packages
    • Packaging Equipment
    • Packaging Material
  • OPERATIONS
    • Distribution
    • Plant Focus
  • TOP LISTS
    • Beer Market Report
    • Executive of the Year
    • State of the Beverage Industry
    • Top 100 Beverage Companies
    • Truck Report
    • Wholesaler of the Year
  • MEDIA
    • eBook
    • Podcast
    • Polls
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Annual Manual
    • Contract Packaging Guide
    • Take a Tour
  • MORE
    • Classifieds
    • Channel Strategies
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
      • Membrane Technology Forum
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Market Insights
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archived Issues
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Wine & Spirits

2017 State of the Beverage Industry: Steady growth in wine, spirits

Dark spirits, sparkling wines lead category

wine
(Images courtesy of Tom Gore Vineyards and Rock N Roll Tequila)
Top spirits chart
Top 10 spirits by individual brand, according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI).
Top table wines chart
Top 10 table wines by individual brand, according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI).
wine
Top spirits chart
Top table wines chart
July 12, 2017

Within the wine and spirits markets, dark spirits, sparkling wines and red blends are leading growth, according to analysts. The whiskey segment saw volume increase 6.8 percent to 21.8 million cases and revenues grow 7.7 percent to $3.1 billion in 2016, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Distilled Spirits Council.

The spirits industry experienced accelerated growth for the seventh straight year, with supplier sales up 4.5 percent, volume up 2.4 percent and retail sales of nearly $78 billion in 2016. Much of the growth has been fueled by high-end and super-premium Irish whiskeys, which grew 736 and 3,456 percent, respectively, since 2002, according to the association.

“Increased growth of premium Irish whiskey reflects the upward trend of adult consumers’ interest in luxury spirits products,” Distilled Spirits Council Senior Vice President Frank Coleman said in a statement.

Other segments also experienced strong volume growth, including cognac, up 12.9 percent; tequila, up 7.1 percent; and vodka, was up 2.4 percent for annual sales of $6 billion last year, the association says.

The overall spirits category amassed $6.9 billion in sales, a 5.1 percent increase compared with the previous year, and case sales were up 5.8 percent to more than 54.6 million for the 52 weeks ending May 14 in U.S. multi-outlets and convenience stores, according to Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI). Although smaller in comparison to other spirit segments, ready-to-drink premixed cocktails were up 23.5 percent to more than $310 million in sales for the same time period.

Premium and super-premium positioning, along with flavor innovation, have led to “notable growth” for the dark spirits category, with fruit, spice, sweetened, vanilla and dessert flavors among the top choices of millennials, according to Chicago-based Mintel in its October 2016 “White Spirits – US” report.

Mintel’s Senior Food and Drink Analyst Billy Roberts noted the importance of the millennial consumer base in this market. “Older millennials are core dark spirits consumers, have broader beverage repertoires in general and enjoy new or culinary experiences, all of which positions them as active dark spirits drinkers,” he said in Beverage Industry’s April issue.

The wine category also is benefiting from consumers’ interest in fine wine as the market has grown “at mid-single-digit rates on dollars [and] smaller single-digit rates on volume as consumers continue to trade up to more expensive wines,” said Danny Brager, senior vice president of beverage alcohol for New York-based Nielsen, in Beverage Industry’s February issue.

Susan Viamari, vice president of Thought Leadership for IRI added: “The wine market is on a positive growth trajectory during the past several years. Imported wines outplaced domestic through 2015 and the first half of 2016,” she says. “Dollar sales in 2016 increased 5.9 percent [for] domestic and 4.4 percent [for] imported. In 2015, domestic wines grew 8 percent and imported grew 6.2 percent.”

IRI data notes that table wines had sales of more than $10 billion in U.S. multi-outlets and convenience stores for the 52 weeks ending May 14, a 3.6 percent increase year-over-year, while sparkling wines and Champagnes generated sales of more than $1 billion, a 9.7 percent increase for the same timeframe.

Analysts also highlight the rise of red blends and consumers’ fascination with bubbles. “Cabernet Savignon, red blends [and] Pinot Grigio have led the way,” said Eric Schmidt, director of alcohol research at New York-based Beverage Marketing Corporation, in Beverage Industry’s February issue. “… A category that continues to outperform the market is sparkling wine, both U.S. sparklers and ones from abroad, including Champagne, Cavas and Proseccos.” BI


Top spirits

(Individual brands)

DOLLAR SALES
% CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR
CASE SALES
% CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR
Smirnoff Vodka $323,252,924 0.4 2,507,808 -0.1
Jack Daniels American Whiskey $307,471,860 4.6 1,227,424 4.0
Crown Royal Canadian $269,535,344 7.9 890,697 4.5
Captain Morgan Rum $232,071,429 1.7 1,497,118 3.3
Fireball Canadian $192,168,417 15.2 1,054,105 14.4
Bacardi Rum $190,071,681 -4.1 1,495,280 -2.3
Jim Beam American $184,388,104 7.6 1,026,746 6.6
Tito's Vodka $184,077,506 55.6 954,232 55.9
Absolut Vodka $131,120,453 -1.6 650,753 -1.1
Jose Cuervo $127,373,397 3.3 749,380 3.3
Category Total* $6,930,003,838 5.1 54,674,496 5.8

*Includes brands not listed.

Source: Information Resources Inc. (IRI), Chicago. Total U.S. supermarkets, drug stores, gas and convenience stores, mass merchandisers, military commissaries, and select club and dollar retail chains for the 52 weeks ending May 14.


Top table wines

(Individual brands)

DOLLAR SALES
% CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR
MARKET SHARE
% CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR
Barefoot $672,663,593 3.2 10,099,980 3.7
Sutter Home $369,132,754 2.9 5,637,827 1.6
Franzia $340,586,964 1.8 12,411,705 1.2
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi $339,257,784 3.4 5,133,297 3.8
Yellow Tail $267,000,322 -2.5 3,998,515 -1.0%
Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve $192,917,503 -3.1 1,331,133 -4.1%
Apothic $185,878,725 23.6 1,629,322 22.9
Black Box $181,104,866 38.8 3,010,873 38.6
Chateau Ste. Michelle $178,685,833 4.4 1,505,575 3.9
Menage á Trois $175,272,436 3.8 1,501,400 3.0
Category Total* $10,072,316,284 3.6 126,586,742 1.8

*Includes brands not listed.

Source: Information Resources Inc. (IRI), Chicago. Total U.S. supermarkets, drug stores, gas and convenience stores, mass merchandisers, military commissaries, and select club and dollar retail chains for the 52 weeks ending May 14.

KEYWORDS: champagne sparkling wine Vodka Whiskey

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla shakes

    Classic flavors provide reliable, consistent results for beverage-makers

    Classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry...
    Ingredient Spotlight
    By: Chloe Alverson
  • Free Spirits Instant Bar Bundle

    Lifestyle trends drive growth for non-alcohol category

    As lifestyle trends continue to drive growth for the...
    Wine & Spirits
    By: Lauren Sabetta
  • Younger generation displays unique habits when it comes to beverage consumption

    Generation Z shakes things up in beverage

    Experts share that Gen Z is changing the standard on what...
    Beverage News
    By: Chloe Alverson
Manage My Account
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Beverage Industry audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Beverage Industry or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Fourpeople toasting with cocktails made with low-sugar ingredients, celebrating healthier drink options.
    Sponsored byCargill

    What’s Hot in Sugar Reduction: Beverages

  • chocolate milk
    Sponsored byCargill

    Sweetening the Future for Dairy and Dairy-Alternative Beverages

  • woman pouring a drink
    Sponsored byFFP

    Building a Beverage System: Meeting Consumer Demand for Precision Wellness

Popular Stories

Sting Energy

PepsiCo, Sting Energy unveil global partnership with Formula 1

PepsiCo + poppi

PepsiCo completes acquisition of poppi

people drinking Wynk

Mindful drinking prompts growth for THC beverages

Vote for your favorite new product

Have your say in what makes it to the top this month!
Vote for your favorite new product and help us celebrate excellence.


VOTE NOW!

Events

April 16, 2025

2025 State of the Industry Series: Alcoholic Beverages

On Demand In Beverage Industry’s annual State of the Industry: The Alcohol Beverage Market, analysts at S&D Insights LLC delve into these trends and how they’re shaping the industry.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Retail Coffee Segment

What retail coffee segments will fare well into the next year?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Beverage News

    Black Box Wines adds rewards program

    See More
  • Bacardi

    Mahesh Madhavan assumes CEO position at Bacardi

    See More
  • Beverage News

    Bacardi Ltd. to purchase Patron tequila

    See More
×

Elevate your expertise in the beverage marketplace with unparalleled insights and connections.

Join thousands of beverage professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing