Wine trends in 2016
A new generation becomes protagonist of wine consumption: millenials and the 2016 wine tendencies reflect its multiethnic and environmental character
wine trends 2016 and millennials winelovers
by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, Brunello, Casato Prime Donne
According to the report by Wine Intelligence the main terms for 2016 will be: loyalizing, trust, small, now, transparent, fusion, interaction, personalized, wellness
MILLENNIALS Will be determinant in the 2016 wine tendencies. Their preferences go for wines that tell a true story (and they immediately realized which are false) and those which respect the environment. Authenticity and handmade are liked very much. But also wine as a discovery and as an experience of different places and cultures, so they will be less attracted by the brand and more by exploration. Young people want to interact, understand and share.
More and more on vineyards Lebenberg Castle
ALWAYS HIGHER UP Vineyards will be higher up to beat the heat. There are those who have planted vines at more than 1000 metres in Argentina and at 2.000 m in Chile
PROSECCO The bubble has exploded. In GB 36% of habitual drinkers chooses Prosecco. Demand has surpassed the offer but there is a new request for quality and alternatives … especially in the Spanish cava
NATURAL WINES Among the 2016 trends the search for quality but also curiosity for natural wines go strong, although no one really knows what they are
Wines by the glass
HALF BOTTLES ARE OVER AND DONE WITH The future stands in wine by the glass. The new generations are more for experimenting, they travel a lot and so they like to taste more and more new things. To have a small amount and to share a bottle is part of the “sharing system! and Coravin actually permits small tastings of very expensive wines.
THE ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE WILL DECREASE that’s it with “bomb” like wines, so manipulated and unable to last in time. The trend will be for less: less alcohol, less wood, less extracts … and more of the varietals’ tastes.
WINE REGIONS OF THE FUTURE ARE SOUTH AFRICA, AUSTRALIA AND ITALY. Young African wine makers are elevating the quality. In Australia new brands are emerging. But according to Dan Jago <<Italy has always been good but it is regarded as almost impenetrably difficult to understand in terms of its regions, grape varieties and its winemakers, which may be one of its attractions! If you want to get back to storytelling, to authenticity, then Italy is the place for the future>>. There is great attention now for the Sicilian wines from the Etna region. But the Spanish are the protagonists of the market also thanks to their prices.
English Sparkling wines – Samantha Linter
BUBBLES The English ones will beat Champagne (this is a hope!) . And in the USA too the production of sparkling wines will grow.
MARKET ALL THE MORE BIASED regarding the price on one side and the quality on the other. But the desire to drink well spending less is always stronger and will characterize the 2016 wine trends in supermarkets
NATURALNESS a growing request even thug there are 60 authorized additives in wine
SOMMELIER these will become more and more important until they will be restaurant manager in many restaurants
SHORTER WINE LISTS and more specific in restaurants
PINOT NOIR king of the high quality wines
AUTHOCTONOUS VARIETIES THAT ARE NOT WELL KNOWN the market’s interest is growing