These are interesting times for the wine market as extreme weather and global events challenge producers. But overall demand for wine remains strong, even flourishing in new and unexpected ways. Read on for specific wine trends to watch in 2023.
1) Stylistic boundaries soften
Traditional wine categories based on color continue to blur as new generations of winemakers push boundaries and experiment in fresh directions. These new wines often defy conventional classifications, falling somewhere between pale red and dark rosé.
This trend dovetails well with the growing popularity of lighter, brighter red wines, especially those that lend themselves to being served lightly chilled. Think light pinot noirs, cabernet franc, dolcetto, and gamay noir.
2) Wine in cans resets expectations
Market research suggests the global canned wines market could grow in the double digits over the next few years. Consumers increasingly demand convenience, and portable, lightweight cans deliver it. Cans can also make wine more approachable for consumers and upend misconceptions surrounding wine’s upper-crusty image.
Canned wines to try:
JaM Cellars Chardonnay Butter California
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
3) Natural wines move into the mainstream
Small-scale wineries that produce natural wines once considered fringe products are making inroads in markets previously dominated by big wine producers. According to forecasting firm Exploding Topics, global Internet searches for natural wine have increased 150 percent over the last five years.
Interestingly, consumers generally perceive all wine as natural. The trend toward wines specifically marketed as “natural” is being driven by a segment of consumers who pride themselves on discovery, leading them to an awareness of what actually makes low-intervention wines distinct from other wines.
4) The environment is a top concern
In these days of increasing concern for the environment, many customers look for wines that are certified vegan, organic, and sustainably produced. A recent International Wines and Spirits Record survey found that half of American wine consumers were positively influenced by branding and marketing describing sustainability initiatives. Note that these initiatives do not necessarily have to directly involve the production of the wine itself. Even unrelated efforts on behalf of the environment elicited a positive response from consumers.
A wine to consider:
Montinore Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
5) Rosé all the way
Rosé has been a hot seller in recent years, continuing to outgrow long-time perceptions of it being a summer-only beverage. Trends within the category include the explosive growth of sparkling rosé in particular, as well as a significant increase in the prices that consumers are willing to pay per bottle.
Rosé currently on sale:
La Marca Prosecco Sparkling Rosé
Gérard Bertrand Languedoc Côte Des Roses Rosé
6) Bubbles surge in popularity as an everyday beverage
Value-priced sparklers continue to drive growth in the sparkling-wine category, prompting consumers to embrace sparkling wine as an everyday drink that needn’t wait for a special occasion. Some industry observers are even predicting that sparkling wine sales will cut significantly into beer sales in the United States this year.
Sparkling wines to try:
Martini & Rossi Asti Sparkling Rosé Wine
Keeping these trends in mind as you plan your store’s wine-selling strategies can help you enjoy robust wine sales throughout the year!
