Wine and spirits continued to exhibit their downward tendencies in the US in the first half of 2025, according to data released by the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA).
In the trade association’s latest SipSource report, published late last week, spirits volumes in the six months to the end of June fell by 6% and by 5% in value terms, while wine posted deeper declines of -8.7% in volume and -8.5% in sales. On a 12-month rolling basis, spirits were down 4.1% (volume) and 3.8% (revenue), while wine declined by 7.2% and 6.6%, respectively.
SipSource analyst Dale Stratton pointed to “fragile” consumer confidence in the country as tariff-related uncertainty and supply chain pressures also weighed on consumer demand. “These elements are shaping purchasing patterns, slowing recovery and forcing stakeholders to rethink inventory, pricing and promotional strategies,” he said.
Wine’s downturn has now stretched to 52 consecutive months of negative volume growth, with on-premise distribution and premiumisation trends continuing to slide. The dining channel, which accounts for 56% of the category’s sales in the US, according to SipSource, slipped by 7.2% in value and 7.0% in volume. Sparkling wine bucked the trend, however, with prosecco and champagne both booking half-year growth.
Spirits showed more resilience, with the category’s “premium-plus price tiers” outperforming cheaper segments as premiumisation regained momentum. Tequila and agave-based spirits stood out, up 1.1% in volume and 0.7% in sales value in the rolling 12-month data.
RTDs remain a growth driver for alcohol, although the category’s momentum appears to have slowed. NIQ data cited in the report showed overall RTDs rising 1.7% in value but down 3.2% in volume during H1. Spirits-based RTDs rose 19.6% and wine-based SKUs grew 12.4%, while malt-based variants dipped 0.8%.
SipSource analyst Danny Brager noted a “focused shift away from malt-based beverages to spirits-based ready-to-drinks” as consumer preferences evolve.
Last week, US analytics firm Gallup revealed that the percentage of American adults who claim to drink alcohol has sunk to 54%, the lowest figure since 1939.
