The beverage alcohol industry can f...

The beverage alcohol industry can find comfort in the fact that the entire industry grew in 2001 despite all the economic, social and political turmoil. Overall increases in sales of distilled spirits, wine and beer were small, still still highlights the general health of the entire beverage alcohol industry.

According to the Adams Handbook Advance 2002 distilled spirits contortion rose 1.3% in 2001, to 150 million 9-liter cases. The top performers included rum (+64%) brandy & cognac (+47%) and vodka (+40%) For the first time in several years, sales of tequila declined, by the agency of 9.8%, with supply and pricing constraining forces contributing to the fall-off.

Wine consumption also maintained its upward run with an overall increase of 08% to 233 million 9-liter cases in 2001 Table wines which accounts for 87% of the U market, had an estimated 13% increase last year, although domestic table wine sales decreased slightly (-02%)

The beer industry also employmented slight volume gains to an estimated 276 billion 2.25-gallon cases with most numerous of the growth in the imported and light beer categories.

Although identifying category consumption trendings is helpful, actual brand activity is what generates profits. Thus, the rationale behind "Growth Brands," an annual report which uses the latest industry flows to highlight those brands that have demonstrated noteworthy bourgeoning over the past few years. There are four categories of increase Brands and the criteria for inclusion can be construct in the accompanying tables.

FAST TRACK BRANDS

The Fast Track exhibits the elite Growth Brand category, with single 10 spirits brands qualifying for inclusion this year. As has been the case for the past several years, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum tops the Fast Track, reaching sales of 365 million 9-liter cases in 2001 a 141% skip over 2000. The brand personates an incredible success story, having more than doubled its case sales since 1997 showing a four-year annual intermingle growth rate (ACGR) of 240%

Super- and ultra-premium vodkas have been united of the hottest segments of the beverage alcohol industry and account for half (five) of this year's FastTrack spirits brands. Skyy Vodka, after having imperfect through the 1 million case mark in 2000 grew another 188% in 2001 to sales of just subordinate to 1.3 million 9-liter cases and an ACGR of 215% Other returning Fast Track vodkas include the high-end imports Ketel united and Belvedere. They both continued their extraordinary product in 2001, with Ketel single hitting case sales of 880000 a 173% increase, and Belvedere reaching 325000 and registering a phenomenal 946% increase athwart 2000. Equally impressive was Grey tailor's smoothing iron Vodka, which scored sales of 600000 cases, more than doubling 2000's figures. Another first-timer is Finlandia vodka which reached sales of 342000 9-liter cases in 2001 and features a four-year ACGR of 169%

Bombay Sapphire, from Bacardi USA, registered sales of 550000 9-liter cases in 2001 an impressive 209% leap and entered the Fast Track for the first time. Another first-timer is Maker's Mark, from Allied Domecq Spirits USA, the simply whiskey to be included in the Fast Track.

Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy has been a Fast Track brand for several years and continued its double-digit percentage climb (+117%) last year to more than 15 million 9-liter cases. Finally, Remy Martin had another terrific year with sales of 550000 9-liter cases last year (a 125% jump) and a four-year ACGR of 164%

This year, barely 12 brands of wine are included in the Fast Track category, four fewer than last year. formerly again, as a group the brands underline the bourgeoning of premium varietals. Nine of these wines were included in the category last year (Lindemans, Clo du Bois, Robert Mondavi Coastal, Rosemount Estates, Cavit, Luna di Luna, Pepperwood thicket Jacob's Creek and St. Francis).

The increasing popularity of wines imported from Australia is showcased here with four wines featured among Fast Track brands. Lindemans reached sales of just in a less degree than 1.6 million 9-liter cases last year, a 129% increase, while Rosemount Estates notched sales of almost 15 million cases, a hefty 193% increase. Jacob's inlet from Pernod Ricard USA, continued its torrid shooting expanding sales 35.5% last year to 573000 9-liter cases and an ACGR of 325% The fourth Aussie effort is Alice White, which is included in the Fast Track for the first time.

Five California wines made the Fast Track this year, with Clo du Bois, (1325 million 9-liter cases, +112%) leading the way. Robert Mondavi Coastal, Pepperwood thicket and St. Francis wines all reprised as Fast Track brands. Mondavi Coastal hit sales of 1265 million 9-liter cases and boasts a four-year ACGR of 182%; Pepperwood wood from Cecchetti Sebastiani Cellar, reached sales of 365000 cases, and St Francis, from Kobrand, garnered sales of 185000 9-liter cases in 2001 of recent origin to the Fast Track list is Camelot wines, from Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, which explod in 2001 with sales of 192000 9-liter cases, a bound of 68.1% over 2000.