Shemirani also cites demand for pro-
biotic products as a trend that she expects
to continue—exemplified by kombucha,
but encompassing an increasing variety of
products that tout their probiotic claims.
Alcoholic kombucha is one of the new-
est varieties of kombucha to gain traction,
such as products from Boochcraft, which
touts itself as "California's very first hard
kombucha."
Cathy Strange, global cheese buyer at
Whole Foods Market, predicts several other
trends in alcoholic beverages that appear
poised to gain traction in 2019, includ-
ing "barrel-aged anything," such as wine in
bourbon barrels.
Strange also notes the addition of lac-
tose to beers—especially IPAs—as a strong
trend to watch in the coming year. The
lactose imbues beer with a creamier texture,
she exmplains, citing one recent variety she
sampled in Pittsburgh from the Hitchhiker
Brewing Co.
In addition, rosé wine will continue
to be a hot alcoholic beverage trend in
2019, as will wine available in cans, spar-
kling adult beverages, and lower-alcohol
drinks, Strange predicts. She also called out
Lambrusco—an Italian red wine histori-
cally known for its sweetness—as a variety
she expects to gain traction in 2019.
"Lambrusco is kind of your grandfa-
ther or grandmother's wine, but it's coming
back," says Strange, who notes that in its
newest incarnations, Lambrusco is becom-
ing less sweet and fruity.
"It's going to be a little drier and more
food-friendly," she says.
Winter Fancy Food Show Booth 5554
Lambrusco—an Italian
red wine historically
known for its sweetness—
will gain traction. "It's
going to be a little drier
and more food-friendly."
WINTER 2019 49
