Ep 9: Is The Wine Trade Out Of Touch? Understanding Why People Get Confused by Wine

Why do so many people find wine so confusing? 

Is it something about wine itself, or is it because of the misconceptions that the wine trade has about wine drinkers?

Data maven Lulie Halstead and wine journalist Felicity Carter dive into the topic, looking at the consumer experience:

• In supermarkets
• When reading about wine on menus
• In front of the wall of wine in retail
• When talking to sommeliers and other wine professionals
• With other people.

Is the wine trade putting up barriers to entry — or is there something else going on? Felicity and Lulie look at research from China, at international consumer data, and the questions that consumers themselves have asked, to come up with some answers.

If you’ve ever felt confused about wine, you’ll discover why. And if you’re a wine nerd, this episode might inspire you to approach customers differently.

Meet Your Hosts:

Lulie Halstead founded and led international consumer research and strategy consultancy Wine Intelligence, and led it to a successful PE exit. Today she is a renowned global beverage alcohol and wine sector specialist, focused on consumer behaviour, strategy, retail and hospitality. An accomplished keynote speaker, she has spoken at more than 70 international events over the past 20 years.

Felicity Carter is an award-winning wine and drinks journalist, editor, speaker trainer and content strategist. She led Meininger’s Wine Business International to become the world’s most must-read wine trade magazine, and was founding Executive Editor of The Drop/Pix, which the Wall Street Journal named one of the most trusted sources of wine information. A regular keynote speaker, she was named a 2024 Industry Leader by WineBusiness Monthly.