Breakthru Experts Predict 2017’s Beverage Industry Trends

Dec. 28, 2016

In the beverage industry, 2016 was a year of innovations and resurgences, from the continued boom of flavored spirits to the rises of rosé and rye whiskey.

 

What will be in store for 2017? Our Breakthru experts serve up their predictions for what might be the most important trends of the year. 

 

 

Less Oak, Less ABV

Wines with less oak (Italian and Spanish white wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay) and lower alcohol levels in classic red wines (California and Oregon Pinot Noir, Spanish Tempranillo, Italian Sangiovese, California Cabernet Sauvignon) are showing up on more and more wine lists. It all comes down to this: consumers want balanced wine. A balanced wine is more clearly able to translate the sense of place, rather than winemaking, into the bottle.

— Andrew McNamara, Master Sommelier, Breakthru Florida Vice President of Wine Development

 

Booming Bubbles

Consumers are realizing that Champagne and sparkling wines are the reason for the celebration. Prosecco continues to be popular, as are Cava and California sparkling wines. Wine drinkers are looking for a greater sense of place, and more and more they are going to the most famous of all sparkling wines–Champagne–to find it. Larger and smaller Champagne producers alike are embracing the trend towards single region, single village and single varietal Champagnes that display a sense of place.

— McNamara

 

Alternative Wine Regions

I think small production, alternative regions and style wines will continue to grow as wine drinkers become savvier. Easy access to information and a growing generation of non-loyal wine drinkers will drive this trend.  People are looking for Pinot Noir from Patagonia, and Etna Rosso and Nebbiolo from Valtellina.

— Nathan Harnish, Breakthru Beverage Minnesota Beverage Specialist

 

 

 

Just Peachy

Peach has now become the number one selling flavor type, surpassing raspberry. Peach growth is now four times the category growth rate and is expected to continue to outpace at these rates well into 2017.

— Darin Harris, Breakthru Arizona Vice President of Strategy & Capabilities

 

Whiskey and Vodka Growth

Tennessee whiskey and Irish whiskey are pushing growth. It’s important to keep in perspective that though the Irish segment is growing at 19% in 2016, it is only 1/6 the size of Tennessee whiskey (+8%).  Additionally, the Tennessee whiskey category has substantially more differentiation and brand accessibility, so I expect domestic whiskey to potentially increase growth rates in 2017. I don’t think we’ll see the Irish whiskey category growth recede next year, but the door is certainly open for additional entries into the Irish segment.*

 

For as much hype as there is for the whiskey category, vodka is growing just as fast and is responsible for half the growth dollars for all spirits here in Arizona. Over the last half year, the vodka and whiskey categories are responsible for 91% of all spirit dollar growth in the state.*  

— Harris

 

 

*Nielsen Statistics