The imported wine category has followed an up-and-down road over the past few years in the U.S. market, with bottled import shipments finishing only marginally higher in 2014 than they were in 2010. But within that lackluster scenario, several key import countries—including Italy (+10%), France (+28%), New Zealand (+41%) and Spain (+11%)—have carved out growth over the past four years. All those countries have brands that earned Impact “Hot Prospect” honors this year.
This year’s Impact Hot Prospect list for imported wine totals 20 brands, 11 of which are newcomers—evidence of the innovation drive that’s playing out across the wine industry. And more than half of this year’s Hot Prospects have sparklers in their brand portfolios, along with several that are sparkling-only propositions.
To qualify as Hot Prospects, wine brands must have posted 15% depletions growth in the previous year while also showing consistent growth in the preceding two years. Volumes must reach at least 50,000 cases but not more than 250,000 cases. New products can qualify as Hot Prospects if they pass the 50,000-case mark in their first year.
This year’s imported wine Hot Prospects with volumes above 100,000 cases in 2014 include Kobrand’s Caposaldo.
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