VdFw: Fruit mulled wine records strong growth

Specialties such as fruit mulled wine, apple mulled wine and fruit punch are now firmly established in the beverage assortment of retailers and are also a must at Christmas markets. Unlike mulled wine, they are made from apple or fruit wine, not (grape) wine. Although last winter was almost a complete washout in terms of temperatures, apple- and fruit wine-based seasonal specialties were able to make gains again. According to the Association of the German Fruit Wine and Sparkling Fruit Wine Industry (VdFw), domestic sales in 2021 rose from 6.8 million liters to 9.4 million liters, returning to pre-Corona levels from 2019. In 2020, the segment had clearly felt the impact of the lockdown. 2021 brought a cautious return to normality, with the first Christmas markets taking place again with the appropriate restrictions. Seasonal specialties were also in greater demand again in the trade.

"The apple and fruit wine industry is looking forward to another good season for fruit mulled wine, punch and co. in 2022," sums up VdFw managing director Klaus Heitlinger. "In the meantime, processes and measures have been established in the private environment as well as in the catering trade and at events, which also allow us to react flexibly to a changed corona situation. We therefore assume that markets and joint celebrations will be possible with the necessary prudence and that Advent and Christmas celebrations will also take place again to a greater extent in the gastronomy sector as well as privately."

The most popular varieties are still cherry mulled wine, blueberry mulled wine and apple mulled wine. Elderberry, sloe and berry mulled wine are also among the classics. In addition, there are new products with chili or ginger, for example. Many manufacturers offer apple and fruit mulled wines in organic quality. For some brands, the emphasis on origin from a particular region also traditionally plays an important role.