The emerging wine brands to watch in Australia

Australian consumers have voted on their favourite emerging wine brands, with the winners announced at the 2018 Australian Drinks Awards.

Emerging Brand of the Year is the brand that is perceived most by consumers as ‘gaining in popularity’.

Australia’s top 200 brands were automatically entered in Emerging Brand of the Year, with the winners determined through a nationally representative consumer survey of 4000 respondents.

“The Emerging Brand of the Year award recognises the status of a brand as being ‘one to watch’ in its drinks category in the eyes of the consumer, and signals that the brand is increasing in prominence within the category,” said Chris Papadimitriou from Thrive Research, which led the judging process.

“As such, winning the Emerging Brand of the Year award is a significant accolade, particularly as it provides the potential for brands with a smaller presence to be recognised for their growing popularity.”

Treasury Wine Estates took out the two still wine awards, with Pepperjack winning for Wine Red and Squealing Pig winning for Wine White.

Last year, Pepperjack proved it was possible for a red under $30 to take out the top trophy in the Great Australian Red challenge with its Certified Shiraz Cabernet 2016.

It’s been a huge few months for Squealing Pig - its Sauvignon Blanc value and volume were up 50% in the three months to August 19, while rose skyrocketed a massive 200%.

The brand’s popularity in Australia and New Zealand means TWE is preparing to take it global. 

TWE's deputy chief marketing officer Angus Lilley told the Australian Financial Review the company was already in talks with big retailers and distributors in the United States and United Kingdom. He expects Squealing Pig to be on sale there in early in 2019. 

Meanwhile, Accolade Wines scored the Wine Sparkling award for Bay of Fires.

Emerging Brand of the Year was sponsored by Manildra.

“Manildra Group is delighted to award the Emerging Brand awards to Treasury Wine Estates and Accolade. Their brands are on trend, innovative and resonating with consumers," said Product Manager Debbie Forster.

"Congratulations to the teams, we’re thrilled to celebrate these prestigious awards with you.”

The Australian Drinks Awards are an initiative by The Drinks Association to celebrate excellence in the drinks industry. The 2018 awards were held at the Ivy Ballroom, Sydney, on September 13.