Despite challenging market conditions globally, wine has remained Ireland’s second-most popular alcoholic beverage, according to the latest Wine Report from Drinks Ireland.
Sales volumes for the beverage rose by nearly 9%, to over nine million cases, according to the report, as wine landed behind only beer in terms of popularity.
Wine’s share of the overall drinks market grew by 5.9% in 2023, reaching 28.3%, following a period of stagnant sales in 2022 and a decline in 2021.
This increase in wine sales comes in contrast to decreases seen in other alcohol categories last year.
There has been a significant overall decline in alcohol consumption in Ireland, with per-capita drinking having dropped by over 30% in the past 20 years.
This is driven by a ‘less but better’ approach in consumer behaviour and a marked difference in attitudes to alcohol among younger generations, particularly Gen Z.
The report shows that Chile maintained its lead as the most popular wine country of origin for Irish consumers in 2023, holding 25.3% of market share.
Up next were Spain, Australia and France, in that order, while New Zealand saw the largest growth in market share in 2023.
Accounting for 48% of the market, white wine remains the nation’s favourite – four percentage points ahead of red.
Excise Charges
The Irish wine trade made a significant contribution to the Exchequer, generating €395 million in excise duty alone in 2023.
Over the past decade, the industry has contributed €4.1 billion in excise to the Irish economy, yet Ireland still has the second-highest excise rate on wine in the EU.
Consumers pay €3.19 in excise duty per standard bottle (13% ABV) in Ireland.
For sparkling wine, the excise is nearly double that, at €6.37 per bottle.
While Budget 2025 did not reduce excise levels, Drinks Ireland | Wine is calling on the government to align Ireland’s excise rates with EU norms.
‘Broader Trends’
The director of Drinks Ireland, Cormac Healy, commented on the data, saying, “The improvement in wine sales figures in 2023 is encouraging for the category, especially following some relatively poor performances in recent years.
“Given wine’s popularity, the patterns we’re seeing in how customers enjoy the beverage speak volumes about broader trends in the Irish market.
“As consumer behaviour shifts, we’re noticing a distinct movement towards moderation, with a ‘less but better’ approach driving preferences.
“People are increasingly choosing quality over quantity, opting for premium and sustainable options.
“This trend is particularly strong among younger generations, such as Gen Z.”
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