Harpers reports that IWSR expects global alcohol consumption to keep declining until 2031 before recovering towards 2025 levels by 2035, but wine faces a tougher outlook than several other categories. IWSR forecasts wine volume sales to fall 14% between 2025 and 2035, compared with smaller projected declines for spirits and beer, and continued growth for RTDs.
Trends
-
French Beer Overtakes Wine Consumption
The Drinks Business reports that beer has overtaken wine consumption in France for the first time in modern history, with Brasseurs de France putting beer consumption at 22.1 million hectolitres and the OIV putting wine at 22.0 million hectolitres. The shift reflects a wider decline in wine consumption, changing habits among younger drinkers, pricing pressure and the growing casual appeal of beer in a country long defined by wine culture.
-
UK Pub Wine Sales Face Pressure From Duty and Falling Demand
The Morning Advertiser reports that wine sales in pubs remain under pressure, with NIQ and CGA data showing still wine and Champagne down 8% last year, and sparkling wine down 6%. The article points to duty increases, pricing pressures and consumer caution, but also highlights operators using staff training, preservation systems, broader lists and more by-the-glass options to make wine feel more approachable and profitable in pubs.
-
Global Wine Trade Hit by Tariffs, Climate and Weak Demand
Reuters reports that global wine exports fell to their lowest level since 2009, while consumption dropped to its weakest level since 1957, according to OIV data. Exports declined 4.7% by volume to 94.8 million hectolitres, while global consumption slipped 2.7% to 208 million hectolitres, with US tariffs, economic pressure, climate disruption and changing consumer tastes all weighing on the sector.
-
Vineyard Survey Shows Growers Removing Acreage As Costs Rise
WineBusiness.com reports that its 2026 WineBusiness Monthly Vineyard Survey found 18% of respondents had permanently removed vineyard acreage in the past year, underlining the pressure on growers from rising costs and wider market challenges. The survey frames removals as one response to difficult economics in grape growing, alongside broader concern about how growers are adapting to cost inflation and weaker demand.
-
Ocado Data Shows Mid-Strength Wine Demand Rising
Harpers reports that Ocado data shows mid-strength drinks demand is growing sharply, with category sales up 71% over two years and searches up more than 400%. Mid-strength wine was singled out as especially strong, with sales up 151% year on year, as consumers increasingly look to moderate rather than cut out alcohol.
-
White Wine Extends Its Lead Over Red
Wine-Searcher reports that white wine is continuing to pull away from red, arguing that the shift is now visible not just in anecdotes but in production and sales data across multiple countries. The piece says white now accounts for 49% of all wine made globally, with OIV data showing red’s share down from about 48% in 2000 to roughly 43% today, while white production has risen and consumption has jumped by 57.5% in the US, 29.3% in Australia and 20.3% in the UK, making this one of the clearest signs that consumer preferences are moving towards fresher, lighter styles.
-
Low & No Survey Launched to Let Industry Inform Policy
Harpers reports that Club Soda has launched what it calls the first benchmarking survey for the low, no and mid-strength sector, with the aim of gathering data that can shape UK policymaking. The article places the move in the context of planned government action on alcohol labelling and support for the no and low market, and says key debates this year include what should count as alcohol-free and whether such drinks should be regulated more like alcohol, including on age ID.