Cork Finished Wines Lead the Way in Expanding Premium Wine Sales

The current two year trend for sales by closure type is based on sales of the Top 100 Premium Brands for the period ending 3/02/2013. The analysis shows a 37% positive slope for cork finished wines and a slope of 3% for wines with alternative closures among the Top 100 Premium Brands

This study is focused on premium domestic table wine, which for this purpose, is defined as wines packaged in 750ml bottles priced at $6 and up. Overall survey results indicate that the number of top brands using cork closures is growing, and that brands finished with cork have enjoyed more robust sales growth than brands finished with alternatives closures.

Case Sales
Total case sales for the Top 100 Premium Brands during the 4-week period were up 15% over the same period in 2010. Those wines finished in cork were up 36%. Wines with alternative closures show a –7% decline.

Sales Revenue
Total sales revenue for the Top 100 Premium Brands during the 4-week period were up 21% over the same period in 2010. Growth in revenue from cork finished wines was 38%. Revenue from Top 100 Premium Brands using alternative closures were down -1%.