Consumer preferences in wine: traditional <i>vs</i> fungus-resistant varieties in Switzerland
A growing interest in sustainable viticulture has led to the development of fungus-resistant grape (FRG) varieties, but their acceptance by consumers remains uncertain. This study explores Swiss consumers’ perceptions of wines made from FRG varieties compared to traditional grape varieties. Specifi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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International Viticulture and Enology Society
2025-07-01
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| Series: | OENO One |
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| Online Access: | https://oeno-one.eu/article/view/9239 |
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| author | Marie Blackford Barbara Guggenbühl-Gasser Jonas Inderbitzin Martin Wiederkehr Pascal Fuchsmann Stefan Bieri Kathleen Mackie-Haas |
| author_facet | Marie Blackford Barbara Guggenbühl-Gasser Jonas Inderbitzin Martin Wiederkehr Pascal Fuchsmann Stefan Bieri Kathleen Mackie-Haas |
| author_sort | Marie Blackford |
| collection | DOAJ |
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A growing interest in sustainable viticulture has led to the development of fungus-resistant grape (FRG) varieties, but their acceptance by consumers remains uncertain. This study explores Swiss consumers’ perceptions of wines made from FRG varieties compared to traditional grape varieties. Specifically, it investigates (i) potential differences in consumer acceptance of FRG wines and traditional wines, (ii) segmentation of consumers based on their appreciation of FRG wines, and (iii) the influence of information about FRG on consumer perception. To address these questions, we conducted a multi-phase study combining chemical wine analysis, expert sensory profiling and consumer blind tastings of FRG wines and traditional and commercial wines in three cities across Switzerland (Nyon (Vaud), Liebefeld (Bern) and Wädenswil (Zurich)). Half of the participants were informed that they were tasting wines made from FRG varieties, while the other half were not. The results indicate that FRG wines are, on average, as appreciated as traditional varieties. Furthermore, consumers can be segmented into three distinct preference groups. This study identifies three key drivers of consumer acceptance: organoleptic attributes, wine-knowledge of the targeted consumer cluster and prior awareness of FRG. While additional information on the environmental benefits of FRG wines did not influence overall consumer appreciation, one cluster of consumers was affected by the information provided. These findings have important implications for winegrowers, suggesting that marketing strategies should be tailored to different consumer segments, emphasising sensory qualities while strategically using information disclosure.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e74991e2f0834c95a31688c97495c20f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2494-1271 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | International Viticulture and Enology Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | OENO One |
| spelling | doaj-art-e74991e2f0834c95a31688c97495c20f2025-08-20T03:37:05ZengInternational Viticulture and Enology SocietyOENO One2494-12712025-07-0159310.20870/oeno-one.2025.59.3.9239Consumer preferences in wine: traditional <i>vs</i> fungus-resistant varieties in SwitzerlandMarie Blackford0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5937-0952Barbara Guggenbühl-Gasser1Jonas Inderbitzin2https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4749-9666Martin Wiederkehr3Pascal Fuchsmann4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1013-5657Stefan Bieri5Kathleen Mackie-Haas6https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8139-7318Agroscope, Enology, Route de Duillier 50, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland/Changins, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, College for Viticulture and Enology, Nyon, SwitzerlandAgroscope, Human Nutrition, Sensory Analysis and Flavour, 3003 Berne, SwitzerlandAgroscope, Post-harvest quality plant products, 8820 Wädenswil, SwitzerlandWeinbauzentrum Wädenswil (WBZW), 8820 Wädenswil, SwitzerlandAgroscope, Human Nutrition, Sensory Analysis and Flavour, 3003 Berne, SwitzerlandAgroscope, Wine quality, Route de Duillier 50, 1260 Nyon, SwitzerlandAgroscope, Viticulture in German-Speaking Switzerland, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland A growing interest in sustainable viticulture has led to the development of fungus-resistant grape (FRG) varieties, but their acceptance by consumers remains uncertain. This study explores Swiss consumers’ perceptions of wines made from FRG varieties compared to traditional grape varieties. Specifically, it investigates (i) potential differences in consumer acceptance of FRG wines and traditional wines, (ii) segmentation of consumers based on their appreciation of FRG wines, and (iii) the influence of information about FRG on consumer perception. To address these questions, we conducted a multi-phase study combining chemical wine analysis, expert sensory profiling and consumer blind tastings of FRG wines and traditional and commercial wines in three cities across Switzerland (Nyon (Vaud), Liebefeld (Bern) and Wädenswil (Zurich)). Half of the participants were informed that they were tasting wines made from FRG varieties, while the other half were not. The results indicate that FRG wines are, on average, as appreciated as traditional varieties. Furthermore, consumers can be segmented into three distinct preference groups. This study identifies three key drivers of consumer acceptance: organoleptic attributes, wine-knowledge of the targeted consumer cluster and prior awareness of FRG. While additional information on the environmental benefits of FRG wines did not influence overall consumer appreciation, one cluster of consumers was affected by the information provided. These findings have important implications for winegrowers, suggesting that marketing strategies should be tailored to different consumer segments, emphasising sensory qualities while strategically using information disclosure. https://oeno-one.eu/article/view/9239Fungus Resistant Grape (FRG)white winered wineconsumer likingconsumer behaviourtasting |
| spellingShingle | Marie Blackford Barbara Guggenbühl-Gasser Jonas Inderbitzin Martin Wiederkehr Pascal Fuchsmann Stefan Bieri Kathleen Mackie-Haas Consumer preferences in wine: traditional <i>vs</i> fungus-resistant varieties in Switzerland OENO One Fungus Resistant Grape (FRG) white wine red wine consumer liking consumer behaviour tasting |
| title | Consumer preferences in wine: traditional <i>vs</i> fungus-resistant varieties in Switzerland |
| title_full | Consumer preferences in wine: traditional <i>vs</i> fungus-resistant varieties in Switzerland |
| title_fullStr | Consumer preferences in wine: traditional <i>vs</i> fungus-resistant varieties in Switzerland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Consumer preferences in wine: traditional <i>vs</i> fungus-resistant varieties in Switzerland |
| title_short | Consumer preferences in wine: traditional <i>vs</i> fungus-resistant varieties in Switzerland |
| title_sort | consumer preferences in wine traditional i vs i fungus resistant varieties in switzerland |
| topic | Fungus Resistant Grape (FRG) white wine red wine consumer liking consumer behaviour tasting |
| url | https://oeno-one.eu/article/view/9239 |
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