Wine News: Bourgogne wines held up on the International Market in 2020

BIVB has announced their 2020 export report –  After a very good November in terms of volumes, exports of Bourgogne wines over the first 11 months of 2020 were slightly higher than over the same period in 2019 (up 0.5%), confirming a trend already witnessed in October. Revenue was also close to the record level seen in 2019, down just 2.6% by the end of November, having recovered from being down 9% just a month previously.

However, these figures should be set within a sluggish economy, impacted by both COVID and the 25% Boeing/Airbus tax, which severely penalized sales to the United States, down 14% by volume and 21% in terms of revenue, representing a loss of some €44 million. However, with volumes up 16% equating to 2.2 million bottles, the British market almost entirely offset the loss in volumes from the United States and once again became the leading export destination for Bourgogne wines.

Several territories saw big upticks in numbers, like Sweden, up 18.4% by volume and 14.2% in terms of revenue compared to the same period in 2019, and Denmark, up 24% by volume and 25.6% for revenue. Others enjoyed more moderate growth but for big volumes, like Canada (up 6.4% by volume and 6% in terms of revenue) and Belgium (1.2% and 5.5% respectively).

In France, Bourgogne wines grew their position in the retail sector, up 4.7% by volume and 5.7% in terms of revenue over the first 10 months of 2019, thanks in particular to their popularity in convenience stores and via click-and-collect. As yet, there is no data regarding the restaurant sector, which is in free-fall, or for wine stores that are enjoying a boom.

#winenews #wineeconomics #wineexports #frenchwine #Burgognewines #winesales #winemarketing #winelovers #wine #bivb #burgundy #winetrends

 

WINEGB ANNOUNCES ITS CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES FOR 2021

WineGB has just released its 2021 calendar of activities as part of its UK market development strategy. This year there will be a strong focus on wine tourism and the retail sector, underpinned by industry values including sustainability, product excellence and innovation.

Activities kick off with a virtual three-day wine tourism conference next month. ‘Wine Tourism in the UK: the route to success’ will run 2nd – 4th March, 10 am-12 pm each day. Whilst aimed primarily at industry members, many of whom are actively engaged in wine tourism, the calibre and line up of speakers will be instructive and inspiring for anyone working within the wider tourism and hospitality industry.

English Wine Week is moving to June, taking place Saturday 19th – Sunday 27th June. Celebrating English vineyards and wines in a week that includes Summer Solstice and Midsummers Day as well as the beginning of flowering seemed a timely and seasonal move for both vineyards and the many retailers selling English wines. With the range of wines now readily accessible and reported record sales of English wines in the last year, the Week provides the perfect opportunity to team up with retailers to spread the strong message of availability, together with encouraging more people to visit the many vineyards that are open to the public (in times without lockdown restrictions). More information about how WineGB will be proposing to work with retailers will be released shortly.

There will be a separate Welsh Wine Week, scheduled to take place Friday 4th – Sunday 13th June. Supported by the Welsh Government’s Drinks Cluster, there will be a veritable toast to the growing number of vineyards across Wales. Further information will be available from https://drinkwelsh.co.uk

The pandemic last year meant that the annual WineGB Trade & Press tasting was cancelled. This year’s tasting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 7th September (subject to any restrictions of course) and promises to be the key showcase event for GB wines and the recent excellent vintages and releases.

The WineGB Awards will see judging taking place over the week of 7th June at Ashling Park Wine Estate, Sussex. Led by Co-Chairs Susie Barrie MW and Oz Clarke, the wines will go through a rigorous tasting process with the highest calibre of judges. The aim of the Awards is not only to celebrate excellence but to provide significant promotional opportunities for all the winners through an extensive social media campaign and supporting all stockists and resellers. The medal wins will be announced on Thursday 24th June (during English Wine Week). A trophy announcement and awards ceremony is planned and further details will be released in due course.

A number of dedicated social campaigns will also be rolled out over the year. Upcoming is a Valentine’s focus with a difference: #WineMyHeartAway is running in association with Susie Barrie MW and Peter Richards MW together with Majestic and encouraging followers and industry alike across their social channels (Instagram and Twitter) to share the first time they fell in love with wine. To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March, WineGB is teaming with Women in Wine London to run a series of Instagram Live interviews across that week until 15th March, featuring women from some of the many different areas of the Great British wine industry.

Comments Julia Trustram Eve, WineGB’s Marketing Manager: “Whilst last year was incredibly challenging for many of our members, the rise in retail and direct to consumer sales demonstrated that consumers are more clearly focussed on provenance, sustainability, buying from local producers – all of which our industry is proud to provide. Above all we want to set out a calendar of events and projects that focus on key consumer drivers and allows them and the trade to engage with this wonderful industry of ours, which is going through remarkable growth and bursting with confidence.

“We sincerely hope that the many tourism operations and our own trade tasting will be able to take place in person – we cannot wait to see everyone again and give the trade a chance to connect with our wines. Here’s to a great 2021.”

Further information – visit https://www.winegb.co.uk/trade/

Wine in Moderation launches a new website

Wine in Moderation has just announced the launch of its new website (https://www.wineinmoderation.eu/). The new site features a modernized design with new functionalities and clear information to help consumers and professionals alike make well-informed decisions to enjoy wine in moderation and to encourage a sustainable culture of wine.

The new website brings together all the Wine in Moderation members and Supporters around one single platform available in 12 languages and offers a nationally tailored message.

“We are very excited to launch this new website which marks an important step in the implementation of our latest Brand Strategy” said Sandro Sartor, President of Wine in Moderation. “This new website not only presents a wealth of new content in a modern and fresh design, it also offers a brand-new platform for professionals and for all our members and supporters around the world, where they will get an exclusive access to our services, materials and tools.”

The new website builds its information around five mains sections:

  1. The culture of wine: where visitors will have the pleasure to discover the uniqueness of the wine culture and get tips on how to best organize their oenotourism trips.
  2. Moderation: where they present why wine should be enjoyed in a sustainable way, and at the same time providing information such as who should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, wine and health, with specificities on the topics of wine and diet as well as calories.
  3. Our Community: a brand-new feature that will show members and supporters around the world on a dynamic map, giving visitors the possibility to zoom in and discover an “identity card” for everyone who has joined Wine in Moderation and are committed to making informed decisions when it comes to wine.
  4. Professionals: This section is specifically dedicated to professionals where they introduce the different ways in which one can get involved with Wine in Moderation and why it matters for the sector.
  5. About us: last but not least, this is a section where visitors will discover who is behind the social responsibility movement of the wine sector, their vision, missions, objectives and their story.

“A long-standing project, this new website will offer a personalized visit depending on the country you’re from” said Nadia Frittella, Secretary General of the association. “The website’s news and events will be updated regularly offering visitors the possibility to check the events that are happening next to them. We are also particularly excited about our completely new Community Map which illustrates where on the globe our Supporters are and shows the important commitment of the wine sector towards a sustainable culture of wine”.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the website and sign up to become a WiM Supporter! By doing so, not only will they show their commitment to encourage a moderate and responsible consumption of wine, but they will also have access to the new platform for professionals where a wealth of tools and services will be at their disposal.

Learn more: https://www.wineinmoderation.eu/

#wineinmoderation #instawine #cultureofwine #wellbeing #lifestyle #healthylifestyle #wineculture #winemoments #winebytheglass #igerswine #winexperience #wineculture #wineguidelife #vino #vin #wijn #vinho #bor #vyno #wein #winelovers #wine

Vivino Raises $155 Million in Series D Funding

Vivino, the world’s most downloaded mobile wine app and largest online wine marketplace closed (this week) a $155m Series D funding round led by Swedish based investment firm Kinnevik with Sprints Capital accompanying as a new investor. Additional participants include GP Bullhound and existing early-stage investor Creandum. This latest round brings Vivino’s total funds raised to date to $221 million and includes a mix of primary and secondary investment.

Vivino currently boasts a community of 50 million wine enthusiasts, who turn to the platform for its personalized recommendations, unbiased rating system, and expansive selection of wines from more than 700 marketplace partners worldwide. The new capital will enable Vivino to improve its core technology and artificial intelligence platform to create better and more personalized recommendations for Vivino users. The company will also deepen its focus on select markets with the greatest potential for growth, including the US, Germany, the UK, Italy, Japan, and Portugal.

“This is a testament to the remarkable work that our teams around the globe have done to build an extraordinary business,” said Heini Zachariassen, Vivino’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “This round has raised important capital for our rapidly growing company and drawn some exceptional new leaders to our board. The funding will enable us to continue to build on our core strengths, expand industry partnerships drawing more merchants and wineries to our marketplace, and support our continued global growth.”

Alcohol e-commerce sales worldwide have grown immensely, and it is estimated that by 2024, they will exceed $40 billion. Zachariassen credits the company’s growth to this continued shift in consumer behavior. “Our user retention rates are high, and we’re seeing a steady conversion of app users to wine buyers. That’s a good move in the right direction. By creating more value for our users, we also create more value for the company and industry at large.”

Since its Series C raise in February 2018, led by Vivino’s current board chairman, Christophe Navarre and former CEO and Chairman of Moët Hennessy, Vivino has increased its user base from 29 million to 50 million and has significantly grown its marketplace business, which connects wineries and wine merchants to its community. The company has posted a 100% annual growth rate for the last seven years and a 103% increase in year-over-year sales in 2020.

#vivino #vivinonews #winenews #ecommerce #winemarketing #winesales #consumerbehavior #AI #mobleapp #economics #winebusiness #winelovers #winelover #wine #wineapp #vivinoapp #winetrends #winetechnology

California Wine Institute Launches “Golden State of Mind” Campaign

The “Golden State of Mind” campaign will showcase California’s efforts in sustainable vine growing, innovation and winemaking advancements.

The first phase will be rolled out spring 2021 and will focus on digital advertising and consumer-focused promotions, starting with the introduction of a new look and logo.

Built on the pillars of optimism, innovation and advancements in winemaking, the campaign will also promote a calendar of online events, such as virtual winery tours for the trade and education webinars, as well as a new wine education course with a four-tier certification program.

Seeking to expand its audience in both new and emerging markets, the California Wine Institute is launching its new campaign in the following markets: Canada, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, and the United Kingdom as well as Australia, France, Israel, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and other Eastern European markets.

California Wine Institute’s vice president of international marketing, Honore Comfort, commented: “The crises of 2020, felt both locally and globally, have underscored the importance of our enduring relationships with supporters of California wine around the world.

“We have an opportunity to forge a new path, to share California’s unique attributes so that we continue to grow and evolve in the minds and glasses of our global audience and build a more robust sales channel for our wineries.”

The Wine Institute launched its 2030 Plan last year, a 10-year strategy to increase US wine exports, 95% of which are sourced from California to over $2.5 billion. The strategy aims to increase sales in current markets, launch activity in new markets, and encourage more wineries in California to sell internationally.

The campaign aims to shine a spotlight on California values, showcase the state’s family-owned wine producers, next-generation winemakers and growers and also highlight its commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusion.

For further details visit – website.