In my post last weekend about the post-pandemic future of wine, I included a few questions posed during industry webinars in February and March. April brings more than May flowers! See the latest projections from SevenFiftyDaily.
U.S. distributors are optimistic about the future of wine. “Vaccinations are here, weather is warming, and restaurants in every state are now open at some capacity.”
Here’s what distributors are seeing for 2021:
- The “roaring 20’s will return — for some places. Vacation destinations are coming back and domestic tourism is predicted to be strong.
- Outdoor dining is the key to survival for restaurants.
- Even though some restaurants started offering alcohol-to-do during the pandemic, that new trend does not appear to be cutting into retail wine sales.
- Buyers are buying less wine, but at higher premium prices. Premiumization has accelerated.
- No more encyclopedias of wine! Smaller, more approachable, wine lists are here to stay.
- While all age groups are eager to get back out to restaurant dining, younger consumers are fueling the resurgence.
- Big events are back on in 2021! Weddings, graduations, the Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500 — plans are in high gear for this year.