Nick Martin

We're going to see more and more of these dissembling pieces from the legacy bev-alc world. In addition to some relatively minor factual inaccuracies, this anonymous diatribe rails against the use of "additives" in de-alcoholized wine. The question of additives is one for which the NA industry ABSOLUTELY needs to embrace transparency, precisely because the legacy bev-alc world has largely not. Perhaps I'm tilting at a straw man here, but I'd bet dollars to donuts that this same anonymous author would bristle at questions about vineyard treatments, chaptalization, cultured yeasts, acidification, de-acidification, and various other adjustments. The whole thing reads like the same argument many of these same legacy figures launched against natural wines - in reverse, but with the same goal - "we must protect our completely commoditized wines from any innovation whatsoever".

38

14 Comments

Further to Robert Joseph post on this: 50% Tax on a £9 Bottle of Wine in 2025 🍷—Where's the Balance? This image is eye-opening. Starting February 2025, half the price of a £9 bottle of wine will go to UK tax (£3.00 Duty + £1.50 VAT). That leaves just £1.00 for the wine itself—including farming, harvesting, and production. Breakdown of the Costs: 📊 VAT: £1.50 📊 Duty: £3.00 📊 Retail margin: £2.25 📊 Bottling/packaging: 80p 📊 Logistics/shipping: 45p 📊 Farming & wine: £1.00 As a wine professional, it’s clear this disproportionate structure impacts: Winemakers who see shrinking returns for quality production. Consumers paying higher prices for less value. Small producers who struggle to compete. OH AND THEY LEFT OUT THE DISTRIBUTOR, AGENT.... if there is one. I love wine and believe in responsible taxation, but this raises important questions: How can we protect sustainable wine production? Are we doing enough to preserve value for both winemakers and buyers? How might this impact wine culture and smaller businesses in the UK? Would love to hear your thoughts—how do you feel about 50% of your wine budget going to tax? 🍷 #WineIndustry #Taxation #UKWine #Sustainability #SupportWinemakers

12

2 Comments

Time for Tequila but but will it be Going Going Gone for Gin ! Tequila and Gin, two equally deserving beverages, have ascended to become the top two contenders in their respective categories based on global volumes. While both categories exhibit growth in a somewhat indistinguishable manner, they vary significantly in their trajectories. The data suggests that Tequila might experience a more rapid surge compared to Gin, and one cannot ignore the factors contributing to this trend. Gin has established a presence in various countries and markets, exerting a significant influence on global sales, primarily in the UK and Spain. However, for brands to flourish and establish a strong foundation in the industry, it is essential to invest in critical markets such as the US that have lower profit margins but a promising outlook. The expansion of agave spirit volumes into other crucial markets can only happen when demand from the US reaches a halt. What distinguishes their paths to success is their reliance on different factors that directly affect sales. For instance, gin is driven by specific consumer preferences and maintains its categories and flavours without much experimentation while tequila offers consumers a diverse array of product types, including aged spirits. A majority of gin products remain un-aged and depend on innovation and various ingredients to convince consumers to make a purchase. This limitation suggests that future industry entrants should focus on creating a well-invented, creative range of products that cater to a diverse consumer base. Additionally, tequila's status as an aged spirit results in higher prices. Notably, with the US market's dominant role and tequila's prevalence, prices are influenced, pushing the agave spirit into the premium and ultra-premium price range. However, gin justifies its pricing by highlighting the need for aging to compete with high-end spirits. Over time, Tequila has evolved into a high-end sipping drink at sophisticated gatherings, associated with a polished and glamorous character that positions it as a highly regarded beverage. One significant distinction is that tequila's authenticity and production processes are not easily validated, giving it a sense of preserved luxury. In contrast, gin attracts attention due to its locally sourced ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship, but it can be produced anywhere globally, which diminishes its "special" element. It is evident that tequila will continue to outstrip gin in terms of growth nevertheless, tequila companies should diversify their presence by expanding into markets like the US and Mexico to generate momentum, while gin-based brands should prioritise investment in strategies and elements that make gin exceptional and distinguish it in the market. Suntory Global Spirits Gin Punch DIAGEO India Bacardi Glenfiddich

23

2 Comments

Most proud of the team WineGB today to support the people in our industry. To mark #worldmentalhealthday, we’ve released a free safeguarding toolkit to protect the health, well-being, and rights of workers in the UK wine industry and wider alcohol sector. This one-stop-shop for safeguarding information, support, and processes is also accompanied by a separate guide on ‘what to do if you have been assaulted or experienced a safeguarding offence’. This launch was inspired by two important events: On 26 October, a law change will mean that businesses will have a positive duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Within a year of its publication we could response to a survey from Curious Vines and Proof Insight stated that one in three women working in the industry have faced harassment while working, the figure reducing to one in every two for 18 to 34-year-olds. We are committed to helping not just our industry, but the wider alcohol sector to create an inclusive and equitable environment for all workers. Significant and particular thanks to the support from our partners Paris Smith LLP, Emma Rix who has crafted this resource, the members of our people group and our Chair Sam Linter. On launch Queena Wong of Curious Vines said: “WineGB are taking a leading role in guiding the UK wine industry to provide a safer work environment for all. The efforts to prepare the toolkit and also offering it free to the industry shows how seriously they have taken on board the issues around safeguarding. There is much to be done in this arena, and this is an incredible first milestone to celebrate on the cusp of the survey anniversary as it is progress towards creating safer more thriving worlds in wine for everyone.” Anjali Douglas of Women in Wine said: “It has been sobering to understand just how low the bar is regarding the passive acceptance of harassment, bullying, abuse and neglect in the wine industry. Many of the issues outlined in this document constitute criminal offences that nobody should experience full stop, let alone in their place of work. WineGB has taken a valuable step in creating this ‘one-stop-shop’ policy document, looking at the nuances of this issue from roles in hospitality to agriculture, from individuals to large workplaces, and making it available to all. I hope it will be embraced across the industry and will mark the beginning of a new standard set – a zero tolerance, process driven approach to harassment and safety at work.” Download the toolkit here:

13

1 Comment

"[The report] identified critical areas where digitalisation can drive growth and innovation within the wine sector, ensuring businesses remain competitive and responsive to market demands. [...] A clear digital strategy and defined processes are crucial for successful digitalisation, highlighting the importance of a strategic approach. Wine businesses acknowledge the necessity to invest in digital skills and capabilities, with 72% of experts recognising the need for continuous learning and development." ProWein The Drinks Business James Evison https://lnkd.in/dpCgBiPZ #wine #wineindustry #winetech

6

How many distilleries in Scotland still use their own maltings to produce their own barley? This is a frequently asked question, which can leave one or two ‘whisky experts’ in a spin. The ‘Whisky Map’ app can help to answer the question quickly. 15 clicks is all it takes to configure the filter settings so that the result is available both as a map and as an alphabetical list. I can now manage the 15 clicks in 12 seconds, the multimedia youth of today can do it in 5 seconds and people from the pre-digital age should be able to do it in 30 seconds.

37

6 Comments

The big boys of tequila continue to blaze a trail for smaller independent brands to benefit from. And whilst growth may be slowing slightly globally (influenced heavily by the US and Mexico), demand for the top ten global brands remains buoyant according to the latest league table from IWSR. Jose Cuervo remains in top spot, significantly ahead in terms of sales from Don Julio and Patron and the rest of the 1m case plus pack.   The UK market is looking pretty peachy too, after 12.5% year on year growth in the off-trade (thanks NeilsenIQ), online sales growth topping 16% and a whopping 50% growth in sales of tequila-based RTDs.   Simple serves – “tequila and tonic” have become a thing, particularly as consumers looked to expand their drinking repertoire from gin – the step from gin to tequila is not as challenging on the palette as some other spirits, and celeb interest has created further interest. Whilst tequila is becoming more firmly cemented in the UK’s off-trade market, it’s not yet reached the levels of consumer familiarity of the US. But, this is changing as can been seen by the explosion of brands in the UK. VIVIR Tequila El Sueño Tequila   https://lnkd.in/e5sKN33q

37

3 Comments

A brief return to a previous passion... The Maths of Wine Don’t Work—And It’s Time for a Change The core issue is this: the maths of wine don’t work in the current format—anywhere in the world. Once a retailer, whether digital or traditional, becomes involved, the original mission starts to crumble under the pressure of growth and profit. It becomes impossible to achieve fast growth as a retailer without negatively impacting the winemaker, the quality of the wine, and ultimately, the wine drinker. The very system that often was meant to serve both producers and consumers begins to compromise on its founding principles. Now, let's be clear—no one is acting maliciously here. It's not about anyone being the "bad guy." It’s simply the reality of the system. When the inevitable collision occurs between the “Wine Maths”—the economic realities of wine production—and the company’s need for rapid expansion, the mission is sacrificed. The focus shifts from supporting winemakers and delighting consumers to meeting the demands of growth and profitability. The very thing that many set out to avoid becomes the core of the business—not out of choice, but out of necessity for survival. So, in a modern world, what is the answer? The answer is simple: No middleman. Just a direct connection between the producer and the customer. And guess what? It appears that Winemakers are catching on and doing it for themselves (check out the video attached). Why am I sharing this? Well, as far as I can tell, this isn’t about recreating the same old system under a different name (like we have seen over and over again). This is about creating a pure, unbroken link between the winemaker and the drinker. It’s about ensuring that winemakers retain control over their craft and that wine drinkers receive the quality and value they deserve. The winemakers have the talent and the wine. The wine drinkers have the desire and the means to buy it. Nothing else is needed—except a direct, unfiltered connection between the two. After all these years, I still believe that the only way forward for winemakers and wine drinkers is to set wine free. Free from the constraints of the traditional market, free from the failing economics, and most importantly—free from the middleman. So, here’s what I encourage you to do: Follow this new movement. Follow WOM on Instagram (https://lnkd.in/ga4hc46W). Connect directly with the winemakers where you can. Let’s support those who prioritise craft, quality, and integrity. I'm hoping more Winemakers realise the digital tools now available to them, which allow them to connect directly with customers and, in fact, make them a part of their story. #VivaLaWineRevolution #SetWineFree

36

8 Comments

How to open a bottle of sparkling wine. Opening a bottle of sparkling wine can be tricky at times. If you do it wrong, you'll have the cork flying out and your wine spraying everywhere. And we definitely don't want our sparkling wine to go to waste! So here's how to open a bottle of sparkling wine without the wine showers. #sonalholland #masterofwine #sparkling #wine #champagne #celebrations #winetips #wineexpert 

57

2 Comments

Are we just talking to ourselves? Many people recently have suggested that the wine industry is really just focussed on those within the industry - we are talking to ourselves. If that’s true , then we can learn a lot by considering a typical political campaign. A campaign does NOT focus on just one city, or group of people, no matter how big. You need to understand the population – all of it. Let’s say the number of regular wine consumers in the US is about 30% of the population. That would be like trying to win the US presidency by focussing exclusively on Boomers (sound familiar?) or focussing all your efforts on Sydney to become the Australian Prime Minister. The wine industry has become very good at looking to itself to guide production. Maybe it’s time we expand our focus and start looking beyond our current consumers, to the whole population. This is exactly what Robert Joseph proposes in his new book, The Wine People, where he considers the wine industry from the perspectives of 200 different personas, both inside and outside the wine industry “bubble”, collating decades of his observations and experience throughout his career into priceless wisdom. This book is full of fresh ideas and perspectives to help to break the bubbles in the wine industry. Competition is fierce for the minority of the population still drinking wines. Are you doing anything to target the majority? Explore further—click here: https://lnkd.in/g-NZ7Vex #wineindustry #winebusiness #winebubble #wine #rethinkingthewineindustry

175

27 Comments

They still don’t get it. But then again, it’s the usual suspects… The global wine market and in particular the consumer have changed. Thinking about making money in wine like it was done the past 300 years, quite frankly, is fatal. Thinking about it differently is THE opportunity! Wine price points are not likely to increase much in a market where there is an oversupply. That means more innovative ways of increasing margin is required along the entire value chain. The USP lies there and must be shaped accordingly. Marketing and positioning the entire wine value chain as THE competitive force as opposed to focusing only on individual brands, is the more plausible way forward. Selling wine based on colour, smell and taste is no longer a strategic advantage as most brands sold globally adhere to high quality standards already. Selling underlying values of what the brand stands for and being able to demonstrate and verify it via the value chain, is better. Like trust. Like commitment to the environment etc. Besides, subjectivity to the hoity toity palate is what got us into trouble in the first place. Young and future drinkers don’t care about it. The issue of margin is an industry structural and cultural challenge and requires a radical collective mind shift. New business models to remove duplication of costs like for example with compliance and the replacement of intermediaries such as agents with automated B2B and B2C business processes where the wine consumer is part of the grape to glass winemaking journey, is what the global wine industry should enable. Unlearning how to sell wine to be successful in a fast changing digital post-COVID market environment where Gen Z and Millennials demand to know where what they consume originates from, must become the absolute priority. Convert the primary wine value chain into a credentialed market place where the producer makes most of the money. In other words, integrate production directly with sales and distribution to increase margin for a better more sustainable NET FARM INCOME - NFI (currently at less than 1% in the South African wine industry; a South African wine producer currently makes less than 1% annual net returns on their investments). At the current rate that grape farmers are pulling their vines out, in 3 to 5 years the total hectares under vines in South Africa could well be less than 60 000. This is not a consolidation strategy. This is mayhem and will lead to large scale retrenchments and unemployment. Adapt or die…

2

'𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝'𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲'* *in the world's best bars That's our strategy and in a true David v Goliath analogy we're taking on the gigantic cognac houses in our mission to be #1. It's going to be a gargantuan task, but one that we believe is needed if we to create a world where we can enjoy a cocktail without giving the planet a hangover. Hamish Smith editor of CLASS Bar Mag says of Avallen Spirits | BCorp: 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑐 𝑖𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑜𝑟𝑦 – 𝑓𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑖𝑡. 𝐸𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐴𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ‘𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑡-𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒’ 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑠, 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎 𝑏𝑢𝑧𝑧 𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑦. 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐴𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 – 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑜𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟, 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑢𝑟. 𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑔𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑖𝑓𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝐴𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡. 𝐼𝑡𝑠 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑦-𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑐𝑘 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑦 – 7% 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 – 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑡. 𝐴𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠. 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚, 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 – 𝑖𝑓 𝑤𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑓𝑢𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 – 𝐴𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛. We're super proud of what we've achieved so far with Avallen Calvados, and it's onwards and upwards to become the World's Best Selling Brandy (in the world's best bars). #Avallen #Calvados #PlanetPositive #Sustainability #BrandyRevolution #CognacVsCalvados #BartenderBuzz #BestOfTheRest #SustainableSpirits Mangrove Global Ltd. Stephanie Jordan-Balmforth Donna Callaghan drinks99 Dalcassian OTC Group Noble Spirits Zev Rovine Selections Spivi Danmark L'Explorateur du Goût Rémy Cointreau LVMH Campari Group

12

1 Comment

In the UK’s case, per capita consumption of wine peaked in 2009 and has been in decline ever since, except for a small temporary boost during Covid. On a per-adult basis, the UK now drinks about 14% less wine than it did in 2000.

1

Best piece I've read on dealcoholized wine.. "Wine is a product of the transformation of grape sugar into alcohol, and it derives all these characteristics from a grape variety, an origin, a climate, a human process, creativity and so on…. How is it possible to imagine destroying such an ancestorial art to reconstruct it artificially using chemistry and making it a bad copy?!"

2

1 Comment

Another interesting article re whisky this time from Just Drinks. This one tackles the thorny issue of using peat in whisky making. The use of peat is becoming more controversial and problematic in particular because peat bogs are not a renewable sustainable resource and are a massive sink for carbon. This is and will continue to be an ever increasing issue. This article is worth a read LongshotInsights | Longshot Ventures Ltd https://lnkd.in/e3-y8yXq

4

Market Update : Georgian Wine Shines in the UK: Sales and Recognition on the Rise! Following stellar performances at recent UK wine competitions, Georgian wines have achieved new levels of recognition and success. With 28 Gold, 146 Silver, one Platinum Medal, and a Trophy, the accolades speak volumes about the quality and diversity of Georgian wine. The first half of 2024 has been record-breaking, with Georgia exporting 54.5 million litres of wine, valued at USD 156.7 million, to 61 countries. The UK is among the top contributors to this growth, showing a notable export increase of 28% in volume and 17% in value compared to the same period last year (source: National Wine Agency of Georgia). 📊 Georgian wine’s journey in the UK is just beginning, and it’s clearly on a path to continued success! For more details, check out the full blogpost here: https://lnkd.in/dR56EiMb

1