7 Daring Wine-World Predictions for 2024

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As another year draws to a close and we prepare to enter a new one, we’re taking an opportunity to predict what we will be seeing more of in the wine world in 2024. In addition to all the wine we taste throughout the year, we are also constantly reading about wine and attending events where we get to speak with winemakers and other movers and shakers in our corner of the world, which is always an opportunity to pick their brains. While we don’t believe that there will be a decline in the any of the regions and styles that we cover, there are some styles of wine and ideas that we see popping up more and more frequently and now seem to be snowballing. 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 dealcoholized 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 utilization, 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.

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