US menus change as Trump's tariffs hit wine prices

• European alcohol exports to the U.S. were worth approximately $10.4 billion in 2024, with tariffs adding at least 10% to costs and driving some wine price increases of up to 20% at wholesale level
• California wine brand Josh Cellars saw sales rise 8.3% in the 13 weeks to mid-March while the overall wine category declined 3.6%, partly attributed to tariff-driven advantages over imported competitors
• Restaurants like Wife and the Somm in Los Angeles have switched to all-domestic cheese and charcuterie programs, though in some cases U.S. versions still cost more than European imports previously did

Summary: Trump Tariffs Drive Up Wine Prices, Reshape US Menus

US restaurants, bars, and retailers are restructuring their wine offerings as Trump-era tariffs significantly increase imported alcohol prices, particularly affecting European wines. The tariff rate was established in an August US-EU trade deal, then expanded in February following Supreme Court approval, imposing at least 10% surcharges on many European imports.

Key Price Impacts:

• Some champagne prices jumped $5 per bottle (from $48)
• Cremant brands increased approximately $3 per bottle
• Suppliers reporting price hikes up to 20% in 2025
• Retail shelf prices on imported wines climbed 5-12% in 2025
• Further increases expected in 2026

Market Data:

European alcohol exports to the US totaled €9 billion ($10.4 billion) in 2024. Between October and January, imported wine sales volumes dropped 8%, while domestic wines declined only 3%.

Industry Response:

Kent Hospitality Group's wine director is replacing expensive French champagne and cremant with cheaper alternatives. Wife and the Somm restaurant in Los Angeles has shifted its by-the-glass menu toward domestic wines and converted its entire cheese and charcuterie program to US products.

Major wholesalers Republic National Distributing Company and Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits confirm wine is experiencing more pressure than spirits, as producers exhaust strategies like pre-shipping inventory or absorbing costs.

Domestic Winners:

California's Josh Cellars saw 8.3% sales growth in the 13 weeks through mid-March, contrasting with the overall wine category's 3.6% decline. The brand maintains its price point at the critical $10-12 per glass threshold that keeps restaurants competitive.

Industry experts expect menu adjustments to accelerate throughout 2026 as cost pressures mount.