Germany's wine market continues its downward trajectory. Yet, 44% of wine drinkers/buyers would like to see more wine offered in single-serve formats – a clear sign that moderation and new…
Germany
Wine
simple
Germany Still, Sparkling and Fortified Wine Market Report 2025
"Mindful drinking calls for smaller, lighter formats, while Germans seeking quality demands storytelling that makes premium feel accessible and authentic."
Germany’s wine market continues its downward trajectory. Yet, 44% of wine drinkers/buyers would like to see more wine offered in single-serve formats – a clear sign that moderation and new usage occasions are reshaping demand.
Ongoing economic pressures and an ageing, shrinking household base will drive long-term declines, while alcohol moderation will enable low-/no-alcohol varieties to gain share. High-quality indicators, such as single-vineyard products and sustainable production, can deliver standout value when communicated with compelling storytelling and personable branding.
Growth prospects depend on brands aligning with mindful drinking trends. Smaller formats, lighter styles and low-/no-alcohol variants offer clear avenues for penetration, particularly among 18-34s who prioritise experimentation and alternative packaging. Yet, German wines’ weaker quality perceptions compared to European counterparts present a challenge. To offset this, local producers must leverage provenance, elevate design aesthetics and strengthen direct consumer engagement to maintain share.
This report looks at the following areas:
Market drivers influencing the wine market, including economic pressures, changing regulation and demographics
Market size and forecast, depicting further decline in both value and volume sales, with sparkling wine outperforming still wine
The impact of evolving alcohol moderation on wine consumption and innovation
Usage occasions for wine, discussing the importance of adapting to celebrations and more casual consumption
The importance of sustainability, transparency and storytelling to convince consumers of quality
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for still, sparkling and fortified wine
Opportunities
Embrace moderation – less can be more
Demystify premium perceptions
Reconstruct taste to target newcomers
THE MARKET
Snapshot – market size and forecast
Market drivers
Germans’ financial confidence holds steady
Slight improvement in 2025’s wine harvest is unlikely to significantly reduce price pressure
Graph 1: production of wine and must, 2015-25
Mindful drinking trend sets up low-/no-alcohol wine for success
Graph 2: alcohol reduction in the last 12 months, 2021-25
Legal landscape set to push low-/no-alcohol wines further
An ageing population and smaller households challenge wine sales
Marker size and forecast
Volume sales fell further in 2025
Graph 3: retail value and volume sales of wine and sparkling wine, 2019-25
Downward trajectory forecasted to persist for volume sales
Graph 4: retail market forecast volume for still and sparkling wine, 2019-30
Value sales have a slightly more stable outlook compared to volume
Graph 5: retail market value for still and sparkling wine, 2019-30
Sparkling outperformed still wine in 2024
Graph 6: value and volume share of still wine, by segment, 2024
Brands stayed strong as private label struggled
Graph 7: retail value and volume share of wine and sparkling wine sales, by company, 2024
THE CONSUMER
Moderation is reshaping usage
Wine purchases became more widespread
Wine packaging is in need of a shrink
Graph 8: format of still, sparkling or fortified wine bought in the last six months, 2022 vs 2025
Appeal to young Germans with modern premium products
Alcohol moderation is leaving its mark as low-/no-alcohol sales inch forward
Marry moderation with celebration
Flavour preferences in still, sparkling and fortified wine
Novice drinkers seek lighter, more refreshing wines
Graph 9: purchases of selected wine varieties in the last six months, by selected age groups, 2023-25
Crossovers can introduce greater variety
Novice drinkers need greater guidance on flavour
Sugar concerns are cutting into wine
Build trust with nutritional information
Drinking occasions for still, sparkling and fortified wine
Germans like a stay-at-home wine
Weaker ABV wines are suited for casual weekday consumption
Support sociable dual-parent families
Cater to celebrations with appealing packaging
Quality aspects of still, sparkling and fortified wine
Localist desires can bolster German wines
Quality perceptions for German wine lag behind Europe
Tradition provides quality assurance
Demonstrate care to stand out
Taste is not enough to sway consumers
Focus on accessible quality
PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Low-/no-alcohol wines are set to become more diversified
No-/low-alcohol brands tap into various consumer trends
Room to innovate in smaller formats and uncommon packaging
Graph 10: wine and fortified wine launches, by unit pack size, 2023-25
Graph 11: wine and fortified wine launches, by package type, 2023-25
Harness the benefits of smaller formats
Sustainable innovation pushing into wine
APPENDIX
Report scope/market definition
The market
Forecast methodology
Forecast methodology – fan chart
Market size and forecast of wine and sparkling wine – value
Market size and forecast of wine and sparkling wine – volume
Market forecast and prediction intervals – value
Market forecast and prediction intervals – volume
Market segmentation
Volume market share
Value market share
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
TURF methodology
How to read: TURF analysis
Germany generations group
Other data source methodologies
Mintel Spark
Abbreviations
A note on language – Germany
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