Impact “Hot Prospect” Wines Are Led By California And Imported Sparklers

Strong growth trends for imported sparkling wines and California wines at the $10-$15 price point are abundantly displayed in Impact’s exclusive “Hot Prospect” wines list, which showcases growth brands that are poised to make their mark on the industry.

Of the 25 domestic wine brands earning Hot Prospect honors, 23 are California wines. The remaining two wine brands are from Washington state. With a few exceptions, the price segment best represented is $10-$15, which has become the sweet spot for U.S. wine consumers. On the import side, 24 brands were recognized as Hot Prospects, including five that specialize in sparkling wine and several others with bubblies or frizzante-style wines in their brand lines. Italy remained dominant on the import list—accounting for 11 winners—while Spain, Argentina and New Zealand placed three brands apiece.

To qualify as Hot Prospects, wine brands must have posted 15% depletions growth or more in 2012 while also showing consistent growth in 2010 and 2011. Volumes must be at least 50,000 cases but not more than 250,000 cases. New products can also qualify as Hot Prospects if they pass the 50,000-case mark in their first year.

Domestic wine Hot Prospects at more than 100,000 cases include Trinchero’s Bandit, Sutter Home Bubbly and Seaglass; Canopy Management’s Middle Sister; Constellation’s The Dreaming Tree and Primal Roots; Duckhorn Wine Co.’s Decoy; Wente Family Estate’s Entwine; E&J Gallo’s William Hill and Bridlewood; The Other Guys’ Leese-Fitch; Bronco’s Green Fin and Allure Moscato; Deutsch Family’s Josh Cellars; Terlato’s Seven Daughters; Cecchetti Wine Co.’s Line 39; DFV’s Irony and Handcraft; and Beam’s Skinnygirl.

Imported wine Hot Prospects above 100,000 cases included Riondo (Riondo USA), Zonin (Zonin USA), Roscato (Palm Bay), Risata (Prestige Wine Group) and Eluñes (Riviera Imports) from Italy; Opera Prima (CIV USA) from Spain; Santa Julia (Winesellers Ltd.) and Diseño (Constellation) from Argentina; Starborough (E&J Gallo) from New Zealand; M. Chapoutier (Terlato) from France; and globally-sourced 90+ Cellars (Latitude Beverage).

Some 19 wine brands under 100,000 cases—including six domestics and 13 imports—also earned Hot Prospect status.

For the complete list and analysis of Impact’s Hot Prospect wines, see the September 1&15 issue of Impact.

Tagged : sparkling wine, wine

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