WINE MARKET COUNCIL: ROSE’ WINES SOARING IN THE USA, WHILE PINOT NOIR AND SAUVIGNON BLANC ARE THE TOP SINGLE VARIETIES PUSHING IMPORTS FROM NEW ZEALAND OVER FRANCE (ITALY IN THE DISTANCE...)

Nielsen data analyzed by the Wine Market Council revealed that (www.winemarketcouncil.com) rosé wines in the States are more and more a solid trend rather than a passing fad. Sales growth of 11 dollars and over bottles have shot up in 2015 to + 60%, carving 0.2% niche out of the entire US consumer market, which is equal to that of all of Portugal’s imported wines. Rosés are becoming a pillar in the US and the even better news is that despite some initial pessimism, the US closed wine sales growth at 2.5%, the highest rate since 2012.
Another interesting fact is the average price of single-varietal wines. Pinto Noir is still in first place while second place is no longer Cabernet Sauvignon, but Sauvignon Blanc, sold at an average 9.04 dollars per bottle, on a general average estimated at 8.00 dollars per bottle (including online purchases, which raise averages that otherwise would be around6.90 dollars).
The supremacy of Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc has brought yet another novelty. New Zealand, which mainly sends wines produced from these varieties to the US, is in fourth place on the wings of 18% growth in 2015, revealed Nielsen and in terms of in-store values has outsold France. At this rhythm, it could outdo third place Argentina, while Italy and Australia, in the first two positions, are still distant. Just a few years ago, it was unimaginable, especially for such a small country.
Turning to the more modern and interesting sales channel – online – the average price is very high, 38.23 US dollars per bottle, five times the average price in stores, on a market worth 2 billion US dollars, 5% of all wine retail sales in the US.