What U.S. Wine Drinkers Want in 2025: A Conversation With Dr. Liz Thach MW, Pres. Wine Market Council

In this episode of The Vint Podcast, hosts Billy Galanko and Brady Weller welcome Liz Thach MW, a leading expert in wine market research and President of the Wine Market Council. Thach’s work focuses on understanding U.S. wine consumers, analyzing how trends like premiumization, sustainability, and alternative wine styles are shaping the industry. Thach also highlights the challenges facing small wineries, the evolution of direct-to-consumer strategies, and the role of storytelling and education in building stronger connections with buyers.

Key Topics:

• Premiumization: Consumers are drinking less but spending more on quality.
• No- and Low-Alcohol Wines: A growing segment driven by wellness trends.
• High-Alcohol Sweet Reds: Unexpected popularity among younger consumers.
• Big vs. Small Wineries: Large brands leverage distribution, while small wineries focus on direct engagement.
• Consumer Engagement: Storytelling and education are key for brand loyalty.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vint Podcast
02:19 Vint Marketplace News 
06:42 Interview with Liz Thach: Master of Wine
24:48 Major Trends in Wine Consumption
26:36 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Sales
27:03 Eco-Friendly Wine Study
27:45 Current Trends in the Wine Market
29:05 The Rise of Alcohol-Free Wines
30:39 High Alcohol Sweet Wines
46:20 Alternative Packaging and Eco-Friendly Initiatives
48:30 Challenges and Strategies for Wineries

Resources & Further Reading:

Vint Marketplace – Your destination for premium wines from top producers around the world.

Wine Market Council – Research on U.S. wine consumer trends.

Liz Thach MW on Forbes – Articles on wine business and industry insights.

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!