Well, there are several benefits to enjoying a glass or two of the great fermented grape – and of course, these benefits can be an inspiration for creative promotional campaigns. For example, according to www.healthline.com, sipping a glass of wine (especially red) may benefit mental health (boost mood), reduce inflammation, manage stress, and protect heart health. This health angle is rich with wine accessory ideas for the following: cardiologists, spas/massage therapists, chiropractors, and charitable foundations that raise money for mental health and heart health.
According to www.statista.com, a survey conducted in the US this year showed that the share of 87,293 adults who reported consuming wine once a week to twice a month increased from 12% in mid-January to 15% in mid-April.
And as of last year, there was a total of 10,043 wineries in the US – up from 9,645 from the previous year. California still reigns supreme as the state with the most wine production with 4,425 wineries creating 85% of wine. This was followed by the states of Washington with 776 wineries, New York with 396, Texas with 323, and Virginia with 280.
Wine educator and researcher Dr. Elizabeth Thach,, who is Distinguished Professor of Wine at Sonoma State University, shares some key statistics on her website, www.lizthachmw.com:
· 40% of the legal drinking population are wine drinkers (approximately 240 million Americans)
· 33% are high-frequency drinkers (more than once a week); 67% are occasional wine consumers once-a-week (or less)
· Women drink wine more than men – 56% and 44%, respectively
· Generationally, wine consumers are almost even between Boomers at 34% and Millennials at 36%, with 19% of Generation Xers who report they drink wine.
Danny Brager of Nielsen noted last year that the top wine trends are pink (rose wines), bubbly wines, “big” reds (eg., cabernet sauvignon and red blends), and sangrias/ciders and wine cocktails, especially with Millennials.
Armed with this info, you can begin to envision campaigns for your clients that celebrate with wine. And as this year draws inexorably to a close, it’s a sure bet that your clients and their end-users will be happy to celebrate this fact and raise a glass to a better year ahead.
End-of-year is also a ripe time for clients to consider wine gifts for top client/customer recognition and employee appreciation – engraved glasses, wine bottles, embroidered wine bags, stoppers, and luxury wine accessory sets. Charitable organizations and corporate clients can create a wine event, such as a cheese and wine pairing party, or an afternoon wine tasting event.
And of course, there’s the wine itself as a gift. But don’t allow your client to just buy wine from the local liquor store! Have them invest in customized quality wine in etched bottles. Etching Expressions has worked with several car dealerships that provide customers with a custom etched wine bottle as a closing gift. Realtors also could benefit from gifting their higher-end clients with etched bottles of champagne and other wines.
But there’s more to wine than just the upper-end, VIP and luxury uses. With a large number of adults enjoying wine at any time, there are many opportunities for your clients to give such customized wine accessories as neoprene wine totes, wine stoppers in a plethora of shapes and colors that will match your client’s logo or campaign, wine openers, wine sacks, stainless steel custom beverage cubes, padded two- four- or six-bottle wine totes, and even cheese boards/spreaders (because wine and cheese are the perfect match). Sleek tumblers are becoming more popular and are available from numerous suppliers.
“Network with local businesses, such as law offices or larger corporations do a lot of gift-giving during the holiday season,” writes Nina Rotz of BizFluent. “Larger corporations also purchase gift baskets for vendors and their loyal customers. Offer to create unique business gift baskets for their company. A business gift basket can have bottles of your wine, foods such as cheese and other appropriate wine accessories such as corkscrews, wine glasses, and wine-themed cocktail napkins.”
As a promotional products specialist, it’s not only all business that you can help commemorate. There are many groups that get together for social activities where wine is a part. Painting and wine parties, book clubs, and other social clubs would likely enjoy their own customized wine glasses, totes or accessories.
Remember – sipping wine isn’t just drinking wine – it’s an experience!