Why 2026 will be the year of cans, conscious drinking and premium value

A new study by Kingsland Drinks identifies cans, no-and-low and premium value as the key forces shaping wine and spirits in 2026.

Kingsland Drinks has shared its drinks trends outlook for 2026, forecasting a year defined by moderation, premiumisation, flavour exploration and alternative formats as the industry adapts to shifting consumer behaviours and economic pressures.

According to the company, volatility in pricing, changing legislation, duty increases, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Schemes (DRS), alongside global uncertainty, mean producers and suppliers will need to remain agile while continuing to deliver quality, value and interest across both on-trade and retail.

“While trends, price and margins all matter, the enjoyment of wine and spirits is the fundamental driver behind our industry – we’re here to elevate social moments, bringing joy, connection and excitement to consumers’ lives,” said Vicky Wood, Head of Brand Development and Insights at Kingsland Drinks.

Convenience, cans and changing lifestyles

Kingsland Drinks said how, when and where consumers drink is changing rapidly, with convenience and lifestyle fit now sitting alongside price as key purchase drivers.

The company highlighted continued growth in ready-to-drink (RTD) formats, particularly canned wine. It has invested heavily in its high-speed canning line at its Salford production facility, following an initial £1.2m investment in 2020. The line has capacity to produce 26 million cans per year across 150ml, 187ml, 200ml and 250ml formats.

Kingsland Drinks said consumers are increasingly recognising the benefits of canned drinks, including convenience, recyclability and sustainability, across wine, spirits and mixers, cocktails and non-alcoholic alternatives.

This year, the company entered into a partnership with organic Sicilian wine brand Vinca, canning its red, white and rosé wines in 187ml cans, and sparkling wines in 200ml cans, to support the brand’s next phase of growth.

No and low continues to grow

Alcohol moderation is now being seen across all age groups, according to Kingsland Drinks. While initially driven by Gen Z, the trend is increasingly being adopted by Millennials and Gen X for health and lifestyle reasons.

The focus, the company said, has moved beyond simply removing alcohol, towards creating high-quality no and low drinks that deliver authenticity, varietal expression and on-trend flavours, allowing them to be enjoyed in the same social settings as traditional wine and spirits.

Kingsland Drinks began packing non-alcoholic wines and spirits in 2019 and now develops and launches a number of leading brands. It blends and bottles non-alcoholic gin, rum, whisky, tequila, and still and sparkling wines, using what it describes as world-class technology and quality assurance controls.

Bottling in market and premium accessibility

Despite ongoing cost pressures, Kingsland Drinks believes consumers will continue to seek quality, affordable and accessible wines.

One area identified for growth is wine bottled in market. Traditionally premium wines from regions such as California, Australia and South Africa are increasingly being repositioned to appeal to more price-conscious consumers who prioritise wine quality over bottling origin.

The company said the sustainability and cost benefits of bulk shipping and bottling in market are becoming clearer, and that improved communication around these advantages could help shift lingering perceptions around quality.

Kingsland Drinks pointed to its Andrew Peace Australian wine brand as an example. Now listed in Tesco Ireland, the brand was supported in 2025 by a six-figure marketing, PR and social media campaign, The Sunshine Food Tour, fronted by Matthew Hoggard MBE.

Bottled at Kingsland Drinks’ UK headquarters, the brand was one of the best-selling wines of 2025, with volumes up 32% and sales increasing by 29% year-on-year in the UK. The company said this positions Andrew Peace as a significant challenger brand heading into 2026.

Flavours and formats under the spotlight

In spirits, cocktails and mixers, Kingsland Drinks expects continued flavour experimentation. Its flavour team predicts yuzu, fig and dragon fruit will remain in focus, while black cherry, coconut and cream are set to dominate new product development during the year.

The company said its on-site lab and product development team works closely with brand owners to create spritz drinks, no and low spirits and made wine across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic formats.

Looking ahead, Kingsland Drinks described EPR as “transformative” for the UK drinks industry. It expects more wine and spirits brands to explore alternative formats with lower EPR burdens, with cans and other sustainable packaging gaining share as glass use declines.

Alongside this, rising consumer interest in sustainability is driving greater use of eco-friendly, recycled and recyclable materials, including aluminium and lighter-weight glass bottles.

Kingsland Drinks said these combined pressures will continue to reshape supermarket shelves and back bars in the years ahead, as producers rethink not just what consumers drink, but how it is packaged and delivered.

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