Labelling environmental and terroir attributes: Young Italian consumers' wine preferences

This study advances the field of sustainability and origin-related attributes with an analysis of the role of a carbon reduction claim in consumer choice when it is labelled in conjunction with terroir cues on a bottle of wine. Data derive from a survey, including a Discrete Choice Experiment, with a sample of 982 Italian young consumers. The estimation of a Latent Class Model in willingness-to-pay space shows seven consumer segments characterized by different motivations and relationships between the environmental claim and the terroir indications. Socio-demographics and behavioural attitudes further describe demand heterogeneity. Results indicates that the carbon claim has a positive impact on the utility of three groups together comprising 46% of the sample and described as follows: those seeking original wines; price-sensitive and with low willingness-to-pay for both carbon and terroir claims; or highly interested in many different terroir expressions. The study suggests that wineries can use environmental attributes in conjunction with terroir ones following three different strategic patterns: to enhance the modernity of a wine; to connect the origin of a wine with production specificities shared among typical wine producers and; to echo product quality in the case of less reputed or cheap Protected Designation of Origin wines. This is of relevance for the wine industry as an increasing number of producers are moving toward sustainable certifications and paying more attention to the visual aspects of packaging and to new technologies for wine communications. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study explores the impact of a carbon reduction claim in conjunction with terroir cues on consumer choice in the wine industry, identifying seven consumer segments with varying attitudes towards these claims. The findings provide valuable insights for wineries to tailor their marketing strategies according to different consumer preferences, as an increasing number of producers are focusing on sustainability and packaging aesthetics in wine production.