As we celebrate the approaching 2024 wine harvest, let’s take a look at what trends wine-drinking experts are predicting for this coming year.
From chillable reds to low and no-alcohol tipples and artisan cask wine…can you guess the hottest trends on the horizon? Here are our top five predictions:
Chillable Reds:
Our hot Down Under Summers call for a refreshing drop to drink – enter chilled red wines. This is a trend gaining momentum at the moment and winemakers are deliberately creating wines meant to be enjoyed chilled; just pick the right bottle, pop it in the fridge and sip away!
Here are four suggestions to try:
Yering Station Little Yering Pinot Noir – bright, perfumed and fresh, this great value Pinot will go down a treat when served chilled.
Running with Bulls Barossa ‘Garnacha’ Grenache – this is the ideal tapas wine, once chilled the vibrant, juicy flavours really come through and deliver a great accompaniment to Summer food.
Chaffey Bros Not Your Grandma’s Grenache Mourvedre – bright, juicy with minimal intervention and handcrafted production, this drop becomes even better when chilled.
Tempus Two Fleur Grenache – if you are new to chilled reds, this wine is what you should consider as a starting point; the dry finish makes it ideal for someone who usually enjoys more medium-bodied wines like Tempranillo or Cab Savs.
No and Low-alcohol Wines:
Katherine Brown from Brown Brothers Wines in Milawa recently commented if you had told her a few years ago she would be making no-alcohol wine, she wouldn’t believe you.
Yet here we are – Brown Brothers Zero Prosecco has hit the market and is certainly making its mark. With health, wellness and life balance taking centre stage since COVID, many of us are looking for lighter wine varietals and wineries are certainly delivering.
Full flavour, alcohol-free or low (5%-8% alcohol) bottles are flying off the shelves around the country…what’s your favourite?
Artisan Cask Wine:
With an emphasis on sustainability and practicality, boxed wines are gaining traction, challenging perceptions and redefining the drinking experience.
Here are four for you to judge for yourself:
2022 Ricca Terra Vintners Lucky Long Shot 3L Cask – this is an upsized version of the ever-popular ‘Bullets Before Cannonballs’ red blend of Tempranillo, Shiraz, Lagrein and a touch of Lambrusco.
2023 Jilly Wine Co. 3L Box Fiano – this is a hand-picked and de-stemmed Fiano from the Mildura region, delivering flavour-packed, tropical and creamy textures, which will keep beautifully in the fridge for several weeks.
2023 Jilly Wine Co. 3L Box Sagrantino – a bright mid-weight red, this wine is packaged to live on the kitchen bench for marvellous midweek enjoyment.
2023 Brothers In A Box 2L Riesling – the Watervale sub-region of the Clare Valley is well-known for Riesling and this is no exception with lemon and lime citrus characters; take this box on your next picnic and enjoy!
Organic Wine:
The shift to organic and conscious wine-making has been slow-burning over the past two decades with its popularity only set to increase even more as we all become more aware of sustainability, environmental and health issues.
The market is demanding more eco-responsible wines and winemakers are taking note. Here are three organic wines to whet your appetite:
Angove McLaren Vale Vineyards and Cellar Door handcrafts a wide range of wines using sustainable and organic practices such as the Wild Olive Organic Rosé 2023, a vibrant wine with strawberries, cream, raspberries and hints of spice and briar leaf.
Tamburlaine High and Dry Organic Brut Sparkling is a high altitude, cool climate wine from the Orange wine region. Expect crisp acidity, elegance and freshness with aromas of green apples, honeydew melon and vanilla.
Organic Vines Preservative Free Shiraz 2022 – find aromas of raspberry and blueberry, along with black pepper and clove, while on the palate, the fruit purity is evident along with warming spice and subtle fine tannins rounding out the smooth finish.
Top Quality Rosé:
The rise of meticulously crafted rosé by Australian winemakers is hard to miss – gone are the days when rosé was an afterthought. This once humble wine category is now a serious contender for our favourite drop; here are three to try before Summer ends:
Turkey Flat Rosé 2022 – this wine is always a huge hit during the warm months and is ideal for any celebration. According to James Halliday, this drop is ‘supremely elegant, fresh and balanced with its red fruits sparkling like stars on a clear night’.
Take It To The Grave Rosé 2021 – generous in flavour with nice fruit intensity and silky texture, balanced against refreshing acidity. Expect raspberry, watermelon, lemon peel and peach notes on the nose, followed by a succulent palate of fruit flavours.
Tread Softly Rosé 2023 – a moderate alcohol, modern wine that is light on the environment and your palate; pale in colour, find lifted aromas of soft strawberries and cream as well as subtle spice.
Cheers!
