The most common way Americans get into wine is from a friend, with 30 percent reporting that’s how they originally tried it. One in five (21 percent) discovered it on their own, and 17 percent were drawn into wine by a partner.
Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked Jordan Winery CEO John Jordan to elaborate on the findings. The winery is known for its focus on making a style of wine that appeals to restaurants.
What do you feel constitutes a “wine awakening?”
“We feel a ‘wine awakening’ happens when individuals can appreciate the subtle differences between the various types of wine and truly enjoy the taste and flavor of what they’re drinking. There are so many varieties within the broad category of wine – and each can be paired well with different experiences – but after a ‘wine awakening,’ we see that people not only choose to drink wine, but are able to truly appreciate it.”
What can restaurants learn from the statistic that people are more likely to drink wine at home?
“We’ve seen a significant increase in winery direct purchases for home consumption over the last five years. But, we’ve also seen a resurgence in wine sales at restaurants. Restaurants don’t seem to be losing business to at-home drinkers.”
What can restaurateurs take away from the results of your survey to apply to attracting and retaining guests?
“Whether you’re a winery owner or a restaurateur, it’s important that we continue to innovate with our guest experiences and our digital storytelling. There are so many choices of culinary entertainment for consumers now. We have to give them an experience that makes them want to choose us over staying at home.”
The average American can also name four wine types off the top of their head, and is most familiar with chardonnay (69 percent), merlot (62 percent), and rosé (58 percent).
According to the results, Americans are embracing wine and becoming knowledgeable on the subject earlier and earlier, with millennial respondents being able to name the most wine varietals off the top of their head compared to those older.
They could name five on average, whereas those aged 55 or older could only name three. Millennials are also appreciating wine at the youngest average age at 23 years old, compared to those aged 55 and older coming around to wine at age 34.
Americans prefer their wine to be smooth (56 percent), fruity (48 percent), and sweet (47 percent), with chardonnay being voted as the wine Americans are drinking most frequently.
Wine can be a rewarding treat after a long day, and according to the results, Americans will typically pour themselves two glasses a night, two nights a week. But one in four (23 percent) tend to wind down with a glass of wine four or more nights a week.
But how much of a connoisseur are Americans exactly?
Well they certainly act the part, as over half (56 percent) of American wine drinkers will sniff the glass before taking a drink, and another 48 percent will even give the glass a swirl before indulging.
One in four Americans (25 percent) even prefer wine over every other alcoholic beverage.
Why? Taste, mostly. Forty-six percent of all survey respondents think wine simply tastes better than other drinks, whereas another 43 percent say it better helps them relax at the end of the day.
And the reasons why wine is superior don’t stop there. Forty-three percent say it pairs best with food, and a third (34 percent) enjoy the health benefits that come with wine.
“It’s always great to be reminded that we’ve been on the right path with making wines specifically to pair with a broad range of foods,” added. “I’m still surprised so many California winemakers have chosen to produce over-the-top wines that are high in alcohol and tannin, making them destructive at the dinner table.”
They say home is where the heart is, but according to the study, it’s also where the bottle is, as 64 percent of Americans are more likely to drink wine at home rather than at a restaurant.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in winery direct purchases for home consumption over the last five years,” said Jordan, whose parents founded the winery in 1972. “But, we’ve also seen a resurgence in wine sales at restaurants. Restaurants don’t seem to be losing business to at-home drinkers.”
Dealing with long wine menus at restaurants can be enough to frustrate and confuse 30 percent of Americans, and while having a sommelier provide insight as to what to order is nice for some people, one in five (19 percent) report they’re intimidated by them.
But when choosing a wine at a restaurant, familiarity with a brand is the biggest factor determining what people end up with a glass of, with 46 percent saying they will most likely order a wine they’ve had before rather than branch out into uncharted waters.
“This is precisely why we have focused on making quality wines of balance for four decades,” Jordan said. “Once you earn the trust of your customer, if you keep your promise, if you always deliver a quality product, they will remember you.”
