In 2023, the export volumes of Italian sparkling wines to the United States witnessed a substantial decline of -14%. Despite this setback, there is a simultaneous uptrend in the actual consumption percentages of Italian sparkling wines, evident on both retail shelves and within American establishments.
This trend is discerned by the UIV (Italian Wine Union) and Vinitaly (Italy’s premier wine fair organized by VeronaFiere). The observatory identifies a pronounced deceleration in US imports, marking the end of a triumphant 15-year surge (discounting the tumultuous year of 2020), during which sales had soared by nearly +100%.
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However, according to UIV-Vinitaly, this is hardly a swan song. A noteworthy disparity is observed between order data – hampered by destocking measures – and actual consumption figures. A meticulous scrutiny of tangible purchases reveals a further ascension (+1.7%) in the Italian sparkling wine sector throughout 2023. This stands in stark contrast to the predicaments faced by American, French, and Spanish counterparts, whose challenges are unequivocally affirmed.
“We are strategically poised to leverage this competitive edge in our sparkling wines,” underscores Maurizio Danese, CEO of Veronafiere. “This will be executed through comprehensive roadshows in Houston and New York (March 4 and 7) and a significant presence at the forthcoming Vinitaly exhibition (April 14-17), boasting the highest contingent of buyers to date and an ambitious agenda to draw attendees from all major US regions.”
The Vinitaly Roadshow format, in collaboration with wine writer Ian d’Agata, promises a sophisticated experience, featuring a walk-around tasting and two masterclasses in both metropolises. These sessions, deftly moderated by Ian d’Agata and some of the most distinguished wine experts in the United States, epitomize a concerted effort to elevate the narrative of Italian sparkling wines in the American market.