The dates of Vinitaly 2022 are approaching (10-13 April) and in the meantime some previews are sneaking out, such as the research “IRI for Vinitaly” which will be presented on Monday 11 April at the 54th edition of the Veronafiere’s wine trade show, commented by representatives of Conad, Coop, Carrefour, Federvini, Unione Italiana Vini, during the 18th edition of the round table on wine and Modern Distribution (DM) organized by Veronafiere at Vinitaly. IRI will also present data on the wine market in large-scale distribution of the first two months and the first half of March 2022. The numbers for wine sales in large-scale distribution won’t be positive though, due to a start of the year still heavily influenced by the pandemic emergency. The trend in bottle prices will also be illustrated, which in the first two months did not show significant differences, but the consequences of the increases in energy costs and raw materials and the Ukrainian conflict will have to be evaluated.
Some data
The wine market in the DM in 2021 recorded positive trends: wine with a designation of origin grew by 1.8% in volume and 5.9% in value, with an average price of € 5.55 ( Docg, Doc, Igt, 0.75 bottle; total Italy, Discount, E Commerce, IRI data). The entire wine market is worth 700 million liters for a value of 2 billion and 269 million euros (which reaches 3 billion euros with the addition of bubbles). The whole wine showed a marked decline in formats other than the 0.75 bottle (bottles, brik, plastic, bag in box, and more) which influenced the general data: + 2.1% in value, – 2.2 % by volume. The performance of the bubbles is remarkable, growing in volume by 17.9% and in value by 20.0%. Sales of wine in large scale distribution aka Modern Distribution (DM) in 2021 benefited from a first two months marked by a semi-lockdown and therefore DM outlets had an advantageous position compared to other channels.
Best-selling wine chart
The chart of the best-selling wines sees at the top the traditional trio Chianti, Lambrusco, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, with each type selling between 10 and 15 million liters, but with a decline in Lambrusco (- 6.7% by volume and – 5.7% by value) and a good performance for Chianti (+ 3.7% by volume and + 5.4% by value). The growth of Vermentino is impressive, ranking in 5th place with a growth of 21.9% by volume and 25.5% by value. Primitivo from Puglia increases in volume by 5.2% and 11.0 by value, Emilian Pignoletto by 5.6% in volume and 2.6% by value, and Veneto Valpolicella by 15.9% by volume and 16.9% by value (including Valpolicella Ripasso).
“Emerging” wines chart
The ranking of “emerging” wines, which are wines that recorded a greater rate of growth in volume in 2021, sees Lugana (Veneto / Lombardy) on the podium with an increase of 34%, Amarone (Veneto) by 32%, Valpolicella Ripasso (Veneto) of 26%. Good performance for Nebbiolo (Piedmont / Lombardy) with + 22%, Ribolla (Friuli V. Giulia) with + 19%, Sagrantino (Umbria) + 16%, and Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany) + 13%. The ranking of the bubbles with the highest volume sales rate is also interesting: the first place goes to Moscato, which grows by 29%; Prosecco never ceases to increase with + 22%; Fragolino has a good + 16%; Muller Thurgau +15%, Asti +14%; last but not least Brachetto had a + 12%.
