Top 10 wine brands 2015 7th April, 2015 by Gabriel Stone The wine industry as we know it today owes an inestimable debt to European knowhow and culture, but in commercial terms today’s axis leans in a very different direction. As consumers in France, Spain and Italy cut back their wine consumption, often in favour of other drinks categories altogether, global sales are being propelled forward by countries whose embrace of wine is a relatively recent phenomenon. Last year marked a watershed moment as the US overtook France for the first time to become the world’s biggest wine consumer by volume with annual consumption reaching 29.1 million hectolitres. That certainly helps to explain why US-based brands feature so strongly in this list and suggests that their dominance is set to grow. Indeed, recent IWSR estimates suggest that US wine consumption is due to rise by 11% over the next three years, growth that would put this market’s total at more than double the level anticipated for that former hotbed of interest, China.

Meanwhile there remains plenty of opportunity for those capable of navigating the crowded and highly competitive UK market, where a steady decline in wine consumption is due to reverse in a more positive direction this year. Although much of this growth looks set to be led by sparkling wine, especially Prosecco, IWSR predictions suggest that still wine is also due to share in this bounceback. As if managing the fluctuating fortunes of these established markets wasn’t enough, those at the helm of the world’s biggest wine brands must also decide what role, if any, they can play in rapidly emerging markets such as Africa, where consumption is expected to rise by a third in the decade to 2018. For the moment however, read over the following pages to discover last year’s 10 biggest selling bottled wine brands* and the latest developments that are helping them to stay on top. “Sales figures are based on a combination of data provided by the brand and industry estimates.

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The Global Malbec Masters 2016 the drinks business is proud to announce the inaugural Global Malbec Masters 2016.How To Choose Good Cheap Wine from the Big Brands: Cabernet Sauvignon We've all been there. It is 6:30pm and you get a call from a friend inviting you over for a casual dinner. Your only option is the supermarket or local grocery store. The shelves are lined with the well known big brands. How do you decide which Cabernet Sauvignon is best for you? Research shows that packaging and label design have a significant influence over what wines customers buy. But if you are also interested in the taste how do you decide which is better? According to A.C Nielsen scan data the most popular wine brands sold through grocery stores in the United States include Yellow Tail, Sutter Home, Franzia, Woodbridge, Beringer California Collection, Livingston Cellars, Twin Valley, Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve, Carlo Rossi and Almaden. Armed with this information we decided to check out a selection of these well-distributed brands.

We also included a number of additional brands that we felt warranted being included. And to be able to make accurate comparisons we stuck to Cabernet Sauvignon. Altogether, we tasted fifteen wines. Our aim in tasting was to find wines that would entice you to pour a second glass. We were looking for wines with a good concentration of clean fruit, refreshing to drink, smooth across the palate and balanced in terms of the tannins, acidity, fruit intensity and alcohol. The most interesting finding from the tasting was that overall Chilean wines seemed to offer the best quality: price ratio. Understandably so, given that Chile's international wine success came from producing good quality affordable wines. Australia's Jacob's Creek once again proves to be a consistent safe bet. Won't knock your socks off but reliably balanced and dependable. We had some Californian and Australian disappointments where the wines were, either thin, weedy and overly hot or, far too sweet, candied and syrupy.

We hope that the suggestions below will be of some help the next time you have to pick up a wine in a hurry. Best Big Brand Wine Bets: Cabernet Sauvignon • 2006 Santa Rita 120, Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Chile ($7) – Intense cassis, black cherry, clove and vanilla aromas. Brimming with juicy ripe fruit and layers of spice and earthy notes with a touch of eucalyptus on the palate. (17/20) • 2006 Montes Classic Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Colchagua Valley ($8) - packed with juicy black fruit with layers of toasty caramel, spice and hints of eucalyptus. (17/20) • 2006 Errazuriz Estate Cabernet Saivignon, Aconchagua Valley, Chile ($10)Full-bodied with ripe red and black fruits and earthy aromas. Layers of plum, strawberry and blackberry and toasty spice on the finish. (16.5/20) • 2005 Jacob's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon ($7) - stewed plums and cassis aromas with hints of rhubarb and herbal notes. Modern fruit forward style with restrained oak and A fruit driven style with concentrated black fruit and spice on the palate (16/20) • 2005 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($11) – Intensely fruit forward with enticing aromas of ripe 'jammy' fruits with an overlay of chocolate.

Cassis flavors dominate the palate with hints of cocoa. (16/20) • 2006 Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles ($13). Bright cassis fruit with lots of toasty vanilla and spice. (15.5/20) • 2006 Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon ($10) – Ripe plums and black fruits with lots of toasty vanilla and smokey mocha notes. Full bodied with hints of spice and herbs on the palate. (15.5/20) • 2005 Ravenswood Vintners Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($10) - Dark and brooding with strong earthy notes. Lots of black cherry and plums with subtle oak notes. (15/20) • 2005 Columbia Crest, Grand Estates, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington ($10) – Baked plums and blackberries with layers of spice and coffee and hints of coconut and vanilla. Have a great week!- Mary More Cheap (But Good) WineHow To Choose Good Cheap Wine from the Big Brands: Pinot Grigio • What Foods Can You Carry On The Plane?• Cakes Gone So Wrong (and Right)• Kitchen Organization Tour: A Visit With Bento Expert Biggie of Lunch In a Box• Recipe: Strawberry-Yogurt Popsicles• Brand New Cabinet Line from IKEA• How To: Make Iced Coffee• NY Times Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie: Changes and Substitutions from the Kitchn• Bar Item: Metal Bendy Straws• Summer Cocktails!