Wine Trends in 2024

Good Wine Gal's 5 Wine Predictions for 2024

This is Nebbiolo of the Alps in the vineyards of Valtellina, overlooking Sondrio, Italy.

Happy New Year Wine Lover! How was your holiday? I was surrounded by family and friends, playing games, hiking in the woods, sipping good wine and noshing all kinds of deliciousness. I'm optimistic about 2024 as a result. This year I am celebrating my decade in the wine industry. To kick things off, I'm going to share my bold predictions which are: continued growth in sparkling wine; winery efforts to reduce environmental impacts; the continued interest in Italian Wine; rise of non-alcoholic beverages; and wines from lesser known regions. Let me know what you think by leaving your comments below. If you like good wine, good food and good friends, keep in touch and I'll look forward to sharing it all with you in 2024.  

Fun Fact: Canada is the 5th Largest Importer of Wine

​The fifth largest importer in volume is Canada. In 2022 Canadian imports are at 4.2 mhl (-0.3% / 2021) in volume, and increased by 14% in value, reaching 2.2 bn EUR. Sparkling wine had the highest growth rate in 2022, with +11% in volume and +21% in value, followed by bottled wine (+2% in volume and +14% in value). OIV (April 2023)

Sparkling Wine: More Bubbles Please

You may think I'm biased. You may be right. But seriously, what's not to love about bubbles? Whether you afford Champagne, Cava or Prosecco, sparkling wine is a great way to start any occasion. Not only that but prices are all over the map which offers inclusivity. Available at every price point means everyone can afford to sip bubbles. If you missed my story on sparklers under $25 here's the link.  According to the data (OIV) sparkling wine accounts for 11% of volume and 21% of the value of global exports in 2022. It seems consumers can't get enough of the bubbly stuff either. I suspect it's not just bubbles for special occasion, it's really a daily love affair. ​And for the record, you may be consuming less alcohol, calories and just as much pleasure. Sparkling wine is typically a 3 oz pour (vs 5 oz glass of wine), lower in alcohol (6 - 12% abv) depending on the style and very versatile when it comes to occasion and food pairings. Are you hopping on the sparkling wine train?

In 2024 a possible return to Champagne to continue exploring the cellars, sips and legends is in the works. Stay tuned for more from Avenue de Champagne. ​

Carbon Footprint: Save the Planet 

Can you say global warming? What happened to our white Christmas? Not only that but the business of wine is a complex system. From growing grapes, making wine, bottling and shipping, the costs associated with distributing wine around the globe are not only dollars but also in carbon. Many wine regions are taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment by reducing their use of fossil fuels. Innovation around lighter bottle weight, adoption of sustainable farming practices and energy efficiency strategies at the winery are steps taken to reduce the carbon footprint. How can consumers support wine brands that are making a difference? Perhaps a good start is reading back labels, visiting winey websites and choosing wine that is in lighter bottles. Each of us can take part in creating change with a little mindfulness. Maybe I'll add the weight of the bottle to a wine recommendation going forward to do my part. Whatever the case, dancing with the climate devil is here to stay and navigating it is essential. Do you know what your personal carbon foot print is?

Stay tuned for more on this as I explore sustainable brands in 2024.

Regional Interest: Viva Italia

It's no surprise that the theme country at the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2024 is Italy. Why? The data (BCLDB) says in the province of BC, the third largest category for wine sales after Canada and the USA is Italy. Is that because Italian wine tastes so good? I'd argue that the influence of Italian culture in this country from pasta to pizza, prosecco to vino rosso, is strong and forever exotic. Italy has something like 1000 grape varieties covering 400 appellations in 20 wine regions with unique, vast diversity and appeal. Something for everyone, not to mention the plethora of regional food pairing options. I'm surprised at the longevity of this trend but prices of French classics and Californian reds continue to climb so perhaps this trend is here to stay. 

Don't we all have a relationship with Italy? I do and it's personal. My maternal grandfather was an Italian from the town of Maida, in Calabria.
​Maybe 2024 will be the year I discover my roots.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Dry & Sobering Sips

Non-alcoholic beverages are the new and hip category in the wine, beer and spirits industry. The funny thing is, this is actually not a part of the wine & spirits business, at least not yet. In fact, this is a category that belongs in the boring grocery and until recently was a category that was dated, sweet and fruity. Sophistication has arrived and so too has a multitude of creators from classic cocktails, beer, sparkling and dry wine - hangover free is the winning phrase and there is no slowing down. If you haven't heard about Oddbird, follow the link. Fascinating story, excellent marketing and raising the bar for sophistication in the non-alcoholic beverage space. You can drink and drive, says Oddbird.

You can take the alcohol out of wine but then it is not wine.

Off The Beaten Path: Eastern Europe

What could be more inspiring for a wine lover than tasting wines from parts unknown? That's not to say  the classic regions of France are out of fashion. It's just that there is always more to discover in the world of wine. If you know me, then you know I love learning about other wine countries whether tasting Hungarian, Moldovan, and Georgian, or traveling to Valltelina and Tokay, there are many excellent taste and travel adventures waiting. If you haven't read or listened to the Moldovan wine story click the link. Here in BC, the data says BCLDB has doubled the number of skus (items) in the past 10 years to include more offerings from around the globe. In my view this growth can be attributed to the impact of new Canadians who bring their culture (including food & wine) , new travel routes (Turkish Airlines flies direct from Vancouver to Istanbul) which gives rise to new distribution channels and curiosity which seems naturally Canadian. I don't know about you but I am ready to explore the path less trodden by tourists and more by enthusiasts and welcoming winemakers.

Conclusion

Here in BC, we have access a diverse selection of wine that can take us on an adventure without leaving home. Wherever you shop, the offering is an abundant and diverse ecosystem of worldly wine. It's time to  celebrate wine adventure in 2024 by attending VIWF and tasting all that Italy has to offer. Let's support the many unique and interesting bottles, regions, and countries that are making change to address global warming. Whether it's serving sparkling wine, finding light weight bottles, sipping Italian or Hungarian, take a moment and read the back label, check the website and support sustainable brands. It is a small ask that may create big change. Cheers to the trends of 2024.

Thank you for reading. Please leave your comments below. I would love to hear from you.