Top trends in beverage alcohol in 2026
The beverage industry is under a structural reset. Where are the key areas for growth?
Wine
New product development
New beverage launches: Grey Goose Prada, Stoli RTD, Faccia and more…
Brands across alcohol, non‑alcohol and functional hydration are rolling out premium innovations, collaborations and reformulations that tap into fashion crossovers, natural ingredients and elevated at‑home drinking trends
Investor profile
Xinomavro Ventures wants to drag the wine industry into the digital age
The world’s only wine‑focused tech investment fund says vineyards are facing agricultural challenges sooner – and more severely – than other sectors. Xinomavro Ventures believes that makes them the ideal proving ground for new ag innovations
Low alcohol, high ambition: Future Château eyes up demand for mid-strength wine
The 5% ABV wine has raised £0.7m in pre-seed funding from beverage industry veterans, after proving its concept with the first vintage last year
Low and no alcohol wine: What to look out for in 2026
Consumers are increasingly looking for alcohol-free products: where do low and no wines fit in?
Brown Brothers taps fruity spritzes to recruit new wine drinkers
Brown Brothers is betting on familiar citrus flavours to recruit new wine drinkers, launching yuzu lemon and orange spritzes to lower entry barriers into the category
Wine Australia overhauls innovation financing with new fund to boost sector resilience
Wine Australia is reforming innovation funding by combining government matching, private investment and strategic partnerships to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness, sustainability, and long-term resilience.
Why Sake is on a runway for global growth
The traditional Japanese beverage taps into top consumer demands for premium drinks with authenticity and craftsmanship; as well as offering a versatile lower alcohol option as a base for cocktails and more
Gen Z is drinking again, but alcohol is still in trouble
Alcohol consumption is in decline, and not just because of the allegedly health conscious young
The rise of clean alcohol
Widespread demand for clean label is finally reaching the alcohol category
5 things we’ve learned about the alcohol-free category this January
January is the month when alcohol-free drinks really have the chance to shine. What have we learned about the direction of the category in 2026?
Sparkling in aluminium: Usability is key for Brown Brothers wine bottles
Australian heritage brand Brown Brothers focuses on sustainable convenience with its novel aluminium prosecco bottle
The most popular alcohol-free brands in the US this month, according to search data
Tracking January’s search data reveals the rising stars in the US alcohol-free category...
Drinking less but drinking better: Understanding the moderation movement
Consumers want to be healthier; so they’re cutting back on alcohol. But is it really that simple?
No relief: Australia’s new mandatory code will leave the most vulnerable wine grape growers ‘unprotected’
Australia’s new mandatory wine grape code aims to boost fairness and transparency amid market volatility, but the industry’s most vulnerable growers fall outside its protection.
New product development
New beverage launches: Elton John 0% wine, Molson stout and more…
From bold new stouts and alcohol-free sparkling wines to functional hydration and high-protein dairy, January has seen a wave of innovation across beverage categories
US drinking guidelines revamped in dramatic shift
New US drinking recommendations now simply state that less alcohol is better
Upcycled grape pomace - the next healthy ingredient for firms to watch?
Research from China has found upcycled grape pomace from winemaking can add antioxidants, fibre, colour and texture to foods, offering health and sustainability benefits
Europe’s new wine support package: 8 key measures
The wine industry faces many serious challenges – falling consumption and the threat from climate change being just two of them – but a new package of measures from the EU will make life a little easier for winemakers
How to create a PFAS action plan
The proliferation of ‘forever chemicals’ in the food system is causing increasing concern. Beverage manufacturers need to be ready as restrictions tighten
Prospecto’s AI-powered tractors aim to cut costs and boost sustainability in vineyards
Italian start-up Prospecto is embedding machine learning into agricultural machinery to help wine producers monitor grape clusters, foliage, and yields in real time – reducing input costs and enabling smarter, data-driven decisions
Bringing flavor to the front of alcohol-free innovation
Consumers want to drink less and that’s opening up the market for alcohol-free products. But at the end of the day, it’s flavor that will determine whether consumers come back to alcohol-free beverages and become loyal fans… or not
German winemakers carve out the alcohol-free wine category
Germany has pioneered alcohol-free beer. Can it also lead the way in alcohol-free wine?
Americans are drinking less than ever: The key figures from Gallup’s latest poll
Alcohol consumption has reached a 90-year low in the US. Gallup’s latest poll reveals today’s consumption habits
Sober summer: UK supermarket Waitrose sees ‘significant surge’ in low/no alcohol sales
Sales of low and no alcohol drinks at Waitrose are up 32% this summer: with the supermarket offering a wider range of products
US tariffs on EU wine and spirits could cost $2bn in lost sales, says coalition
The warning from US group Toasts not Tariffs comes as 15% tariffs on EU goods comes into effect
Declining wine demand spurs localised strategies in APAC
A dip in global wine demand has driven APAC firms like AWL to by tailor marketing and innovation strategies to local markets
Sparkling wines must prioritise ‘sophisticated fun’, mixology to attract APAC female drinkers
Sparkling wine products need to prioritise a balance of sophistication, fun and mixology to attract all classes of APAC female consumers
US and EU strike tariff deal: What does it mean for beverage alcohol?
Industry organizations are hopeful of obtaining special zero-for-zero arrangements
Ireland delays introduction of alcohol health warnings
Ireland’s world-leading cancer warning labels will not come into effect next year as initially planned
‘Drinks packaging is embracing theatricality!’: Top innovations in beverage packaging design
Plant-based packaging, ultra-light glass and a flair for the dramatic: Pentawards’ annual competition showcases the best and boldest in a new era where sustainability meets storytelling
How alcohol brands can navigate tariff turmoil - and even come out bigger and better
As the US continues to revamp tariffs on imported products, it’s tempting for drinks brands to sit back and wait and see how the new market evolves. But they could be using this time in a much better way…
Champagne industry shifts to lighter bottles with new tech
Champagne Telmont’s ultra-lightweight Champagne bottle hits the market this month: marking a milestone in sustainable winemaking with the tech open to all
Alcohol sales strong despite consumption crash
Alcohol sales are are on the up while consumption continues to drop. What’s causing this unusual trend?
UK considers putting health warning labels on alcohol
The government is exploring the idea of mandatory health warning labels and nutritional information on alcohol, as momentum towards similar legislation grows around the globe
How top alcohol brands stand out in a shaky market
The last two decades have been ‘unpredictable and transformational’ for the alcohol category: and it’s not getting any easier. How can brands stand out?
Weight-loss drugs are changing the way we drink. What does that mean for alcohol brands?
GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are revolutionizing weight management. But their impact is spilling over from weight-loss clinics into bars, restaurants and supermarket shelves
How alcohol-free drinks can succeed in the on-trade
Elegant serves and fancy garnishes are just the beginning. Brands need a carefully thought out strategy to succeed in bars and restaurants.
European wines most at risk from climate change
Climate change is affecting wine regions worldwide: but Europe could see the biggest changes
Guidance on running responsible alcohol promotions this summer
Sampling and promotional activities ramp up as the summer months approach. How can brands promote their brands responsibly?
Can ‘cult wines’ weather the storm?
‘Cult wines’ may be less affected by weather variations than others: a surprise finding by US researchers
How New Zealand’s winemakers became sustainability pioneers
In New Zealand, 98% of vineyard area is now certified sustainable, covering 90% of wine production. As the country’s wine sustainability certification program turns 30 years old, we find out how the country has achieved this unprecedented level of...
Charting the decline in wine consumption
Wine consumption has been declining for years: but how severe is this decline and why does it continue in a negative direction?
Global wine production at lowest level since 1961
Why is wine production declining so dramatically?
Comment period extended for new US alcohol labeling rules
The US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is inviting further comments on its new alcohol labeling rules: which could see alcohol required to carry calorie and allergen information
EU wine sector reels from Trump tariff blow
President Trump will introduce a 20% tariff on EU wines as part of ‘Liberation Day’: a blow to EU and US wine trade
Europe’s new wine strategy: The 7 key takeaways
The EU wine sector is a ‘cornerstone of Europe’s cultural and economic fabric’ - but it’s under threat. Here’s what the EU wants to do to help
EU promises ‘swift action’ to support winemakers - but tariff threat looms large
The European Commission has set out a range of measures to help the wine industry ‘remain competitive, resilient and a vital economic force’ – but does that mean anything in the face of tariff threats?
What do wine and beer industries think of the UK’s Spring Budget?
The Chancellor of the Exchequer released the UK’s Spring Budget yesterday. What do wine and beer industries make of the budget?
The new world of ‘American Champagne’: What could Trump’s 200% tariff threat mean for wine?
President Trump has threatened 200% tariffs on wine and other alcohol imports from Europe. How would this reshape the wine industry?