Here's what's changing in the wine world

The international wine world is clearly on the move. Recent figures and reports from the OIV, Decanter and The Drinks Business, among others, show that several trends are converging; and they have a direct impact on what will soon be in your glass.
Text: Ingrid Larmoyeur (The Wine Institute)| Image: Unsplash

For instance, recent figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) show that global wine consumption has again declined slightly. The causes are diverse: growing health awareness, economic uncertainty and changing preferences among younger generations. Drinking less, and choosing more consciously increasingly seems to be the new starting point.

Shift

At the same time, the style of wine is shifting. According to international trade media, consumers are increasingly opting for lighter, fresher wines with lower alcohol content. We see this not only in whites, but also in reds: so-called ‘chillable reds’ and grape varieties such as gamay and frappato are gaining popularity.

Things are also changing on the production side. In France - partly in response to amended EU regulations - the possibilities for de-alcoholised wine are being further widened (source: Vitisphere). This underlines how seriously the market for non-alcoholic and low-alcohol wines is now being taken.

Meanwhile, emerging wine countries are benefiting from climate change. For instance, English viticulture continues to grow steadily, especially in sparkling wine, which is increasingly being compared to Champagne (source: Decanter, WineGB).

Wine consumers are changing; and the wine world is moving with them. Lighter, more conscious and with more attention to provenance and style.

Read also:  New research: moderate wine drinkers may live longer

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