Yellowtail and Casella managing director John Casella. Image courtesy Casella

Building on feedback from over 25,000 wine consumers in 25 markets – representing over 400 million wine drinkers globally – the fifth annual Wine Intelligence Global Wine Brand Power Index revealed a stabilisation of wine brand equity.

This followed a steep erosion of brand equity seen in 2021 amidst COVID disruptions.

However, the 2022 data suggests that global wine brand equity has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

The Wine Intelligence Global Wine Brand Power Index 2022 incorporates consumer feedback on key brand health measures and an index is calculated at a global level as well as at a country level across 25 key wine markets.

This year’s index saw Denmark featuring as a substitute for the Russian market, which was not surveyed.

At an aggregate level, the top 15 global brands collectively scored higher (6.5 points more) in 2022 compared with 2021.

However, on a two-year view, scores remain substantially lower than in 2020, noting that the 2020 result was based on consumer surveys that took place in 2019 (before the COVID pandemic).

Across the two-year period (2020-22) awareness levels tended to be more resilient; the main driver of change in the index during this period appears to come from the recalled purchase and connection scores, which both fell significantly for the top 15 global brands in 2021.

Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo once again claim the #1 and #2 spots respectively in the 2022 Global Wine Brand Power Index, with their brand power index scores remaining well clear of all other wine brands.

Both brands place as the number one brand in three out of the 25 markets, with Yellow Tail also claiming a top ten ranking in 10 markets and Casillero del Diablo in 14 markets.

Yellow Tail’s strength in the US market is cementing its top global ranking in the index. Barefoot now ranks as the 3rd most powerful wine brand globally, rising every year from its 13th position in 2019.

Notable climbers within top 25 of the 2022 Wine Intelligence Global Wine Brand Power Index include Santa Carolina – which continues its rise to now rank #7; Apothic – rising five places to #14 and Dark Horse – which has jumped eight places to #25.

Commenting on the rankings, Lulie Halstead, COO Wine at the IWSR Group said the results reflected the year.

“In a year characterised by relatively less upheaval for consumers, it’s a relief to see equity for wine brands has stabilised in terms of consumer connection as wine drinkers have returned to more frequent touchpoints with wine in both retail and the on-premise,” she said.

“Successful wine brand owners will be those with a focus on restoring the fundamental positive connections that have propelled their brands to such widespread success on the world stage in the first place, while doing their best to maintain availability and the value proposition amid input cost increases and supply chain disruptions.”

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