The second edition of Vinexpo America, held in Miami, came to a successful conclusion this week. More than 3,000 attendees tasted, learned, and immersed themselves in trends — and, of course, enjoyed Miami’s hospitality.
Miami is an interesting place for a trade fair
Miami, on the southeastern coast of Florida, has emerged in recent years as a business powerhouse.
In a ranking compiled by the Financial Times and Nikkei, Miami was ranked as the best city in the US for foreign nationals to do business.
It scored particularly highly on the ability to cater to the needs of overseas companies; it’s a major hub for cruise ships, while Miami International Airport is an important gateway for international cargo, handling over $70 billion in global trade.
And it's a dynamic market where demand for wine and spirits is steadily increasing. Florida already ranks among the top U.S. states for consumption — prompting Joel Stein to call it “the future of America” in the Financial Times.
The big trends
A walkaround demonstrated both established and emerging trends:
No/Low alcohol
The No/Low alcohol trend has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by younger generations like Millennials and GenZ. Focused on health and mindful consumption, they opt for low alcohol or alcohol-free drinks without sacrificing social experiences.
Premiumisation
Despite consumers experiencing a cost-of-living squeeze, premiumisation is unstoppable, as consumers increasingly demand high quality products and become more discerning about flavour, provenance and experience. They consume less, but better. Premium wines, which often come from prime vineyard sites or renowned winegrowers, are now perceived as luxury products, offering a unique sensory experience. This move upmarket affects red, white and sparkling wines, with rare, prestigious packaging, often produced as limited editions.
RTDs
The Ready-to-Drink (RTD) category continues to grow, as consumers want to experience bar-quality cocktails, wine spritzers, and low-ABV beverages in portable formats. Once dominated by simple hard seltzers, the RTD market is now embracing premium ingredients, craft distillation, and complex flavor profiles.
As far as trends go? Think green, matcha-inspired drinks.
A hunt for new regions
Consumers and sommeliers alike are turning their attention to undiscovered wine regions and small-scale distilleries, seeking new taste experiences and unique terroirs. Regions beyond the traditional powerhouses of France, Italy, and California — such as Uruguay, South Africa and Eastern Europe — are attracting attention.
Sustainability
This one goes without saying. Sustainability has gone from being a niche concern to something that consumers, especially younger ones, expect. The good news is that producers are responding with carbon neutral distillation, water-efficient vineyards, and recyclable packaging, while natural wines and fair trade spirits gain popularity. Transparency in labeling, and highlighting farming methods and environmental impact, is now a key differentiator.
Vinexpo Academy
At a time when the wine and spirits trade is in flux, good quality market information is more important than ever. That’s why Vinexpo America created a professional forum that brought together industry experts addressing key issues.
“The future of the industry requires open dialogue, strategic collaboration, and the willingness to confront challenges together,” said Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.
The conversation will continue on 27 May 2025 at Vinexpo Asia.
