Are cooler wine regions driving a fresh, elegant wine style that suits modern taste preferences? It could well be that 'cool-climate wines' are about to take the wine world by storm.
Text: Ingrid Larmoyeur, The Wine Institute | Image: Klara Kulikova via Unsplash
Wines and wine regions from cool climates are the future for the wine industry, according to Clive Pursehouse (editor of leading wine magazine Decanter). He said this at the conference i4C+, the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration in Ontario. According to him, climate change and the preference of younger wine lovers are coming together in 'cool climate' wines. He cited English wines or pinot noir from Washington as examples.
Classic wines
Classic wines are maturing and gaining higher alcohol content. In many traditional wine regions, grapes are therefore picked earlier and earlier. But this puts pressure on the phenolic ripeness of grapes. In addition, some classic wine regions struggle with forest fires or drought.
Younger wine drinkers these days want different wines. No wood-ripened power wines with 15% alcohol, but fresh tight wines with minerality, invigorating acids and lively fruit. 'Natural wines' are also finding their place in this trend.
Challenges
Pursehouse also sees a challenge for today's wine industry: the conservative approach to wine - prestigious châteaux, Michelin-starred restaurants and an atmosphere of exclusivity - and heavier wine styles no longer fit so well with the preferences of younger generations.
A different approach is needed. According to him, the wine world needs to make more room for fresh perspectives. The solution? "Keep cool and carry on."
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