By all accounts 2022 is set to be one of the biggest years on record for the UK trade.
To capitalise on this, it’s crucial to offer your customers what they want. To help venues wade through the murky and constantly shifting waters of 2022 wine trends, PROOF Insight have produced MODE. MODE is an award-winning, pioneering research tool that expertly analyses the latest drinks lists of industry-leading venues, covering wine, beer, and spirits. Read on for some of the key insights from the year so far.
Rose & Orange wines
Provence rosé has been at the forefront the rosé revolution. Evoking scenes of the French Riviera, the elegant light pink-hued wine with ripe fruit and a dry finish is the perfect accompaniment to warm summer days. The fashion for rosé continues unabated and now stretches throughout the seasons. MODE-tracked menu listings also include rosés with more substance that can be drunk all the way through the Autumn and winter months and can also stand up to heartier dishes. These include Mourvèdre-dominant blends and vintage rosés from Rioja as well as darker-hued wines that tip more towards the red-wine end of the spectrum. Check out the Don Jacobo Rioja Rosado for a great example of a rich, deeper expression of rosé.
Orange wines, too, are having a moment in some of the top restaurants in the UK. In 2021, 1 in 2 MODE-tracked restaurants have an “Orange” wine, suggesting this style could soon be in the must-list category. The Luis Felipe Edwards Macerao Orange Wine is a great option for venues looking to capitalize on this emerging trend.
Sicilian Wines
Once known as the land of Marsala, Sicily is emerging as an Italian region to watch. Listings from this island have almost doubled since 2019. Bold Nero d’Avolas are appearing in menus across most Wine MODE-tracked venues. Ripe rosés from the island are also performing extremely well with almost four times as many listings as before 2021.
As Sicily possesses many meso-climates and terroirs as well as the right climatic conditions for organic and sustainable winemaking, the island is primed to offer exciting variety to drinkers along with the organic/sustainable factor. The brand Allumea produces a range of vegan friendly, organic wines from Sicily which are both delicious and accessible for the unfamiliar wine drinker.
Alternative grapes from Australia
The wine lists of MODE tracked venues are peppered with southern European varieties from Australian producers. Unencumbered by regulations, Australian winemakers are experiment with a range of European grape varieties to discover what best suits the hugely varied meso-climates. Chalk Hill, a winery in the South Australia region of McLaren Vale, have wines made from non-traditional varieties like Vermentino and Barbera. The collection, which is produced as small batches by the celebrated family-owned estate, present a great opportunity to introduce your customers to the diversity of Australian wine.
Other trends to watch
PROOF Insight have identified several key trends amongst customers in addition to those picked up during the MODE project. By speaking to a wide range of consumers and looking at sales data from across the UK on-trade market, the team at Proof have noted a strong movement towards greater diversity in sparkling wines. Whilst Prosecco still dominates, other origins like English Sparkling are beginning to chip away at the Italian region’s share of the market. In the premium On Trade, we are seeing the inclusion of styles like Crémant and Cava, alongside classics like Champagne and Prosecco. Pink Prosecco, too, has been a resounding success since launch in 2020 - already worth over £60 million in the off trade. Indeed, sparkling Rose is gaining share over sparkling white at all price points. Pink Champagne is up 41% in in value in the off trade vs. 27% for White.
Consumers are also increasingly pre-occupied with the ethical and environmental status of their drinks. While convenience is still king, customers are willing to switch to products that are as ethically produced where it’s easy to do and where they see value in the higher price point. 51% of on-trade customers would like more sustainability information to be included on drinks menus. Venues who would like to court these conscious consumers need to make the ethical choice an easy one by calling out environmental credentials of their products and through clear communication around the value of sustainable products. Soothe their moral struggle and offer convenience without the culpability.
To keep up to date with new and emerging trends or better understand the ever-changing on-trade customer, check out PROOF Insight Reports. Or contact them today to tap into their incredible resources to support your business’s specific needs.
About the author
Gabrielle Hutson
Gab found a love for wine (and spirits and beer and coffee!) during her years on the hospitality scene around Australia. The desire to dip her toes into a bigger wine and hospitality industry drove her to London and today she writes, reads and talks non-stop about wine for Matthew Clark's website and social channels.
