Global wine insights company Wine Intelligence‘s 2019 report highlights future opportunities for organic wine in Australia.
The Global SOLA: Opportunities in Sustainable, Organic and Lower Alcohol Wine 2019 report focuses on key opportunities for alternative wines in 15 different countries worldwide, including the UK, US, Canada, China and Australia.
Out of the array of alternative SOLA wines available, opportunities for organic wine in Australia remains the highest – surpassing “preservative-free”, ”sustainably-produced” and ”lower alcohol” wine.
Despite this, Wine Intelligence advised that many wine trade members have noted confusion amongst consumers regarding wine labels and types: “While organic wine is perhaps the most recognised alternative wine type by both the trade and consumers, trade members indicate that consumers continue to misunderstand the definition of organic wine, often confusing it with other alternative wines and believing that wine is naturally organic as it ‘comes from the ground.”
However, there is still strong support for the “free-from” wine labels overall; “Preservative free wine has overall higher opportunity than sulphite free wine, most likely due to the fact that consumers are not necessarily aware what sulphites are, and that preservative free is more in-line with labelling and messages on food and drink in general.”
These findings support growing consumer concerns regarding health, lifestyle and the environment, with many consumers opting for “free-from”, chemical or additive-free and environmentally friendly alternatives.
“As concern for the environment is widening around the globe, such as concerns over climate change, consumers are most likely drawn to environmentally friendly wines as they are reassured the product they are purchasing had a low impact on the environment.”
Richard Halstead, COO of Wine Intelligence, stated, “As a highly visible and valued agricultural product, wine is on the frontline of trends relating to health, wellbeing, and the environment generally. This report supports the widespread belief within the wine industry that the 21st century consumer is going to require a lot more genuine progress in terms of developing sustainable and environmentally sound wine production techniques, delivering a product that aligns with their need to live a healthier and more balanced life.”
Regarding the global report findings, he added: “As a highly visible and valued agricultural product, wine is on the frontline of trends relating to health, wellbeing, and the environment generally. This report supports the widespread belief within the wine industry that the 21st century consumer is going to require a lot more genuine progress in terms of developing sustainable and environmentally sound wine production techniques, delivering a product that aligns with their need to live a healthier and more balanced life.”
