2026
10
A Year of Innovation in RTD, Wine and Spirits 2026
2026-02-12T09:44:29+00:00
REPF3EE27C4_91A8_4143_AE27_C491A8314389
2995
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Report
en_GB
Premium quality and flavour innovation take centre stage, while brands balance ABV levels to align with the moderation trend. Zoe Wong, Analyst - Mintel Food & Drink…
Global
Spirits and RTD
Wine
simple

A Year of Innovation in RTD, Wine and Spirits 2026

"Premium quality and flavour innovation take centre stage, while brands balance ABV levels to align with the moderation trend."

Zoe Wong, Analyst - Mintel Food & Drink

Zoe Wong, Analyst - Mintel Food & Drink

Explore the latest innovations in RTD, wine and spirits with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product developments over the past 12 months.

Key innovation trends in the global RTD, wine and spirits markets are analysed and succinctly presented alongside Mintel’s consumer data and insights. So you can understand changing consumer demands and identify future growth opportunities.

Collapse All
    • What we have seen
    • Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
    • Other innovative launches
    • Other flavour innovations
    • Global Spotlight: spirits and RTDs
    • Graph 1: spirts and RTD launches, by share of top five sub-categories, 2025
    • Global Spotlight: wines and fortified wines
    • Graph 2: wine and fortified wine launches, by share of top three claim categories, 2025
    • The Future of Wine & Spirits: 2026
  1. EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)

    • Europe: premium RTDs make a comeback
    • The at-home drinking trend continues
    • Premium claims bounce back in RTD launches
    • Brands highlight quality cues in RTDs
    • Europe: flavoured spirits and liqueurs are on the rise
    • Flavour can open the door for new spirit drinkers
    • Fruit-flavoured launches look beyond citrus and berry
    • Graph 3: % of flavoured spirits launches with select flavour subgroups, 2021-25
    • Heritage icons experiment with flavours
    • Europe: private-label wines gain share in launch activity
    • Price-savvy drinkers put value first
    • Private-label wines are gaining share
    • Graph 4: wine and fortified wine launches, by share of private label, 2021-25
    • Private-label wines boost appeal beyond price
    • The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
    • Premium claims take the lead in the category
  2. ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)

    • Asia: brands infuse excitement with cobranded offerings
    • Younger drinkers crave novelty in alcoholic drinks
    • Co-branding claims bounce back with fresh partnerships
    • Graph 5: % of spirits and RTD launches with cobranded claims, 2021-25
    • Cross-category partnerships in RTDs
    • Japan leads in cobranded spirits and RTDs
    • Brand renovation/innovation: South Korea's makgeolli reimagined with whiskey
    • Asia: floral notes add a wellness-focused halo to RTD launches
    • Floral flavours are gaining traction
    • RTD launches with floral flavours are on the rise
    • Graph 6: % of RTD launches with floral flavour component, 2021-25
    • Floral-flavoured RTDs are infused with botanicals and herbs
    • Brand renovation/innovation: Jia Yi Wine targets female drinkers with herb-infused, low-ABV cocktails
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Better-for-you RTDs focus on sugar reduction
    • Australia & New Zealand: wine brands celebrate local roots
    • Local wines hold strong appeal
    • Wine brands are strengthening their local ties
    • Graph 7: % of wine and fortified wine launches with regional descriptors*, 2021-25
    • Wine brands highlight local heritage
  3. the americas

    • North America: spirits and RTD brands ride the sober-curious wave
    • Health concerns drive alcohol moderation
    • Alcohol-free claims are making inroads
    • Graph 8: % of spirits and RTD launches with select alcohol-related claims, 2021-25
    • Adaptogens are emerging in alcohol-free RTDs
    • North America: premium spirits and RTDs cater to the less-but-better drinking trend
    • Consumers are trading up for quality
    • Premium offerings capture growing launch share
    • Graph 9: % of spirits and RTD launches with premium claims, 2021-25
    • Spirits and RTD brands put premium quality in the spotlight
    • North America: moderation trend fuels interest in low- and no-alcohol wines
    • Taste is a key driver of alcohol alternatives choices
    • North America sees a rebound in wines with ABV below standard levels
    • Graph 10: % of wine launches with ABV below 10%, 2021-25
    • Flavour profiles at the forefront to provide taste reassurance
    • Better-for-you attributes are niche but emerging
    • Latin America: consumers seek more-natural RTD options
    • RTD launches surge, while natural claims lag behind
    • Graph 11: % of RTD launches with select natural claims, 2021-25
    • Natural attributes can resonate with health-conscious consumers

What is 'A Year of Innovation' Report?

To truly understand a market, it’s essential to look at the products that are shaping it. Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports provide a detailed review of specific categories, focusing on the most notable product launches from the past 12 months. These reports are designed to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of recent innovation and its impact.

How We Analyse a Year of Innovation

By deconstructing the past year’s activity, we can provide valuable context for your current and future strategies. Here’s how we do it.

A Deep Dive into Product Launches

The core of these reports is a thorough examination of new products. We go beyond simply listing what’s new. Our analysis delves into the “why” behind each product launch, exploring the strategies, ingredients, and marketing claims that are driving innovation. This helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where the market is headed.

Powered by the Global New Products Database (GNPD)

Our insights are built on a foundation of robust data from Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD). This powerful tool tracks and catalogues new product launches from around the world. By leveraging the GNPD, we offer a complete exploration of innovative activity within your category, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and relevant.

Uncovering Trends and Consumer Shifts

Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports are designed to equip you with actionable insights into how to lead innovation in your category. By studying recent product launches, we can identify shifting consumer habits and preferences. These reports help you connect the dots between what consumers want and how companies are responding. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, allowing you to refine your own product development and marketing strategies with confidence.

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