Wine Trends - The Good and the Bad

It's a new year, so we should talk about trends. Rather than just reviewing what happened in 2021 or making a wild ass guess at what might happen in '22 we'll look at the good and bad trends without any specific timeline. 

Alternate Wine Types

Organic, natural, low-alcohol, etc. will continue its growth if for no other reason but to stand out in a crowded market. Bartenders will be making more alcohol-free cocktails.

Drinks in a Can

Wine, ready-made margaritas, and many other adult beverages besides beer are showing up in cans. This trend should continue to grow, but I'm still waiting for a mai tai in an insulated pouch with a built-in sippy straw -- perfect for the beach!

Wine Bottles

The heavy wine bottles that are supposed to somehow mean it's a better wine are falling out of favor. Yay.

Wine on Tap

This is great. You can find places with dozens of wines offered by the glass. Technology has allowed wine to sit on tap for months without going bad whereas a bottle is gone after a couple days. Yeah, the Coravin will preserve it longer, but they're too expensive.

Clean Wine

I think most people are done falling for that one.

Taking January Off

Who wants to sober up for a month after two years of a pandemic? Time's a-wastin'. Pop that Cabernet!

Cabernet Sauvignon

Overrated, overhyped, Napa Cabs are big, lush, extracted, high in alcohol, and mostly all the same. Not just picking on Napa as others are copying this style. People want to drink these wines with any and every kind of food and in any weather (high-alcohol, big cabs in the middle of sweltering summer)?  Yuck. Perhaps the idea of putting a chill on lighter red wines will catch on. Perhaps balanced wines with finesse will catch on. Okay, probably not, as in-your-face overpriced wines are selling.

Rosé

Rosé all day? No. Light-colored, lightly flavored ones? No thanks. $35 rosé? LOL The best things about rosés is they can be made from many different grapes and with different levels of color and flavor extraction.

Pinot Gris

Bland. How about Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, or Vermentino. They're cheap too, just not sweet.

Gallo

They continue to buy up the world and now own about 30% of bottled wine from California. Yeah, scary. Shop the independents!

Have a safe and happy New Year