Peering into our crystal ball instead of our crystal decanter
As we enter 2024, we’re taking the opportunity to predict what we will see more of in the wine world this year. In addition to tasting various wines over the past year, we have continuously engaged in reading about wine and attending events where we converse with winemakers and other influencers in our circle. These interactions always offer a chance to glean insights. While we don’t foresee a decline in any of the regions or styles we cover, certain wine styles and concepts are increasingly surfacing and gaining momentum. Don’t worry, there is plenty of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon on the horizon to add to your collection, but here are some of the themes you can expect to be hearing about in the new year.
Sparkling Wine Will Break Free of the Holidays
The wine press has been saying this for years, but it looks like consumers are finally embracing the idea that Champagne and other sparkling wines are not only for special occasions and holidays. Expect to see a lot more of your friends ordering a glass of Champagne or popping a bottle open at home at regular dinners and get-togethers, not just celebrations.
The Coming Bubble Boom Will Have People Looking Beyond Champagne
The increased demand for sparkling wine means that we’re all going to be drinking a variety of styles and regions, including Spanish Cava; Italian Franciacorta, Trentodoc, and Prosecco; and California sparkling. Wine bars, restaurants, and shops will also be offering more renditions of “pet nat,” a natural sparkler that can be from anywhere wine is made.
Rosé Is Going Haute
Drinking rosé throughout the year has gone from trend to permanent status, and we will see more and more premium offerings entering the market. We’ve been expecting to see luxury competition for pioneers in the space such as Domaine Ott, Château d’Esclans, and Gérard Bertrand for some time, and LVMH’s major investment in Château Minuty earlier this year sealed the deal as far as we’re concerned. Expanded—and pricier—rosé selections are on their way to a restaurant near you.
Expect Italy to Heat Up the Auction Block
We tapped Nick Pegna, Sotheby’s global head of wine and spirits, for his thoughts, and he in turn polled some of the auction house’s younger specialists to see what they’re hearing about new bright spots in the wine sphere. According to Pegna, Piedmont is on its way up in the auction world, so look to see more Barolo and Barbaresco. We’ve been hearing a lot about (and tasting plenty of) Brunello as well, so keep an eye on Italy’s three B’s.
Connoisseurs Will Have Better Options for Low-and-No-Alcohol Wines
As Dry January, Sober October, “Mindful Drinking,” and, well, just drinking less persist in their upward climb, no- and low-alcohol wine will continue to grow as well. Many people stop drinking temporarily for numerous reasons that include pregnancy, medication regimes, or training for a marathon or triathlon, yet they still want to enjoy the social aspect of having a glass of wine with friends. Although at the onset the category was flooded with low quality de-alcoholised bulk wine, we are seeing a growth in single-vineyard offerings from well-known regions.
You’ll Be Hearing More About Carbon Footprints
The future of the wine industry is in peril due to rising summer temperatures and unstable weather patterns, and many producers are taking it upon themselves to sound the alarm and become changemakers. Expect to see an increase in the number of back labels talking about sustainability, low water utilisation, and regenerative farming, and don’t be surprised when even top icon wines start using lighter-weight bottles to reduce the impact of freight shipping and material usage. Younger wine drinkers are driving the movement toward transparency on this front.
White Wine’s Upswing Is Nigh
While it was thought for many years that serious wine drinkers only drink red wine, it is now obvious that for multiple reasons white wine is finally starting to be treated with equal respect. A lot of attention is being paid to white Burgundy, Napa, and Sonoma Chardonnay, the whites of the Rhône Valley, and Riesling and other aromatic varieties from Germany, Austria, Alsace, and Alto Adige in Italy. And we’re seeing a rise in interest in premium white wine from Spain, Greece, Portugal, Croatia, New Zealand, and other Italian regions. As much as we love our steak and Cabernet Sauvignon, since we all are moving toward a lighter style of eating—at least occasionally—we are going to see our wine choices change to match.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA
