Investigating Australian Consumers’ Perceptions of and Preferences for Different Styles of Sparkling Wine Using the Fine Wine Instrument

Abstract

This study investigated consumer preferences for different styles of sparkling wine and the influence of wine style and occasion on sparkling wine purchasing and consumption behavior. Australian consumers (n = 203) completed an online survey and blind tasting of representative styles of commercial sparkling wines, including Champagne. Wine sensory profiles were determined by descriptive analysis using a trained panel (n = 12) and consumers were segmented into ‘No Frills’, ‘Aspirant’ and ‘Enthusiast’ clusters using the Fine Wine Instrument. Consumer perceptions, preferences and liking were measured using 9-point hedonic scales and compared via statistical analysis. Consumers anticipated liking Champagne and sparkling white wine the most, and Moscato and Prosecco the least, but on tasting, could only readily identify the Moscato and sparkling red wines, as the most contrasting wine styles. As such, liking scores for the Champagne and sparkling white wine were significantly lower based on tasting (median scores were 6.0, compared with 9.0 and 8.0 for survey responses, respectively). Consumers’ preconceived expectations of different sparkling wine styles clearly influenced purchasing and consumption behavior. Aspirants and Enthusiasts were more likely to spend more per bottle for Champagne and sparkling white wine, and consumption of these sparkling wines was most frequently associated with celebratory occasions, such as anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, New Year and weddings.

Tendências na indústria vinícola e o perfil consumidor de vinho frente as decisões de compra

“…A importância em torno das questões relacionadas ao país de origem dos produtos parece estar crescendo, juntamente com o volume de transações internacionais, uma vez que os consumidores têm uma variedade maior de produtos importados dentre os quais podem escolher (YUE; GOVINDASAMY; KELLEY, 2019). Há indicações extrínsecas, incluindo o país ou região de origem, marca, recomendações, preço, ocasião e simbolismo, também são importantes direcionadores da qualidade percebida do vinho espumante, e assim, influenciam as decisões de compra de vinho (VERDONK et al, 2021).…”

Non-Conventional Grape Varieties and Yeast Starters for First and Second Fermentation in Sparkling Wine Production Using the Traditional Method

“…The volatile fraction of Torrontés Riojano sparkling wines revealed a high concentration of volatile compounds associated with fruit aromas, as well as terpene compounds associated with the floral Muscat-like aromas [6] (Table 5). In fact, the final sensory properties of Muscat, Moscato Giallo, Muscat Ottonel, and Torrontés Riojano sparkling wines appears to depend on their unique terpenic profiles [5,7,22,44,45]. As shown in Table 5, even if differences in total terpene concentrations are evident between the various Muscat-type varietals, their total contribution is higher (above 0.5 mg/L) than in other varietals used for sparkling wine production, such as Chardonnay and Riesling [46,47].…”

“…Accompanying the global expansion of sparkling wine production, emerging grape varieties for the elaboration of fine quality sparkling wines are being explored worldwide [3,4] (Table 2). Non-conventional grape varieties challenge the wine industry to recognize and market products with novel sensory profiles, and to anticipate potential consumer acceptance [2,5]. Adding complexity to the scenario of innovation in sparkling wine production, first and second fermentation strategies are also being explored, based on novel and/or indigenous yeast starters [2].…”

Consumer acceptance of sweet wines andpiquettesobtained by the adaptation of Ancient Wine‐making Techniques

“…Segmentation has become an important tool for understanding consumers' preferences for different types of wine (Francis & Williamson, 2015;Verdonk, Ristic, Culbert, Pearce, & Wilkinson, 2021).…”