What’s going up and what’s going down in the wine world in 2023? Read our predictions for the new year…
Going up
Quality new world Chardonnay
Consumers are looking outside of Burgundy for their quality Chardonnay fix due to a run of short vintages leading to reduced yields, less availability, and an increase in prices. We recommend checking out Kumeu River (NZ), Robert Oatley (Australia) and Zuccardi (Argentina) for the best New World Chardonnays. For our top pick, try Robert Oatley Chardonnay Signature Series, Margaret River 2020, Australia. Medium-bodied, with lovely peach and nectarine flavours accompanied by a lifted citrus and a soft buttery character, all pinned down by fresh, bright acidity.
Indigenous grape varieties
Consumers are becoming increasingly more adventurous with their wine selection and want to try something new. Varieties such as Godello (Spain), Furmint (Hungary), Grillo (Italy) and Nero D’avola (Italy) have seen a surge in popularity. To get you started, try Chateau Dereszla, Dry Furmint 2021, Hungary. Ripe, forward aromas of pear, green apple and lemon citrus with a touch of honeysuckle. Bone dry with crisp, clean acidity and a superb mineral streak that flows into a linear finish of green fruits and white pepper spice.
Drinking sustainable wine
Due to the devastating impact that climate change is having on our planet, people are now more willing than ever to go “green”, and this has extended to buying and drinking sustainable wine. We strongly believe environmental stewardship is important to help reduce the effects of climate change and are pleased to work with wine producers who share in our passion, so we can continue to enjoy and share great wines for generations to come.
Sparkling wine
Traditional method sparkling wines from outside the champagne region are on the up. These offer fantastic value as they are made in the same method as Champagne, often with the same varieties, without the premium price tag attached. Crémant, Method Cap Classique as well as our homegrown English sparklers are worth seeking out. We love Franschhoek Cellar Brut Royale Sparkling NV, South Africa. Enticing lemon cream and almond biscotti lead with a soft burst of fresh lemon and orange peel. Gentle citrus notes of tropical fruit, a well-versed rich mouthfeel with detectable minerality, great balance and a seamless finish. It is also Vegan, organic and sustainably produced.
Quality over quantity
A trend which we have seen in 2022, and we predict will continue in 2023 is that wine consumers are choosing to drink superior quality wine, but less of it to have better wine experiences.
Grower Champagnes
The grower Champagne category is not a new category in the Champagne market; however, it has entered the wider public consciousness with consumers becoming more aware of the importance of provenance and where their food and drinks are produced. These Champagnes reflect the terroir from which the grapes have been grown. There has been a return to organic farming methods, use of indigenous wild yeasts and minimal intervention. The focus has been on capturing the taste of the place rather than the brand. To dip you toe into the grower Champagne category, try Henri Giraud, Esprit Nature NV. Henri Giraud was first and foremost a family of growers who have tended to vines in Aÿ since 1625, making it one of the oldest and smallest family-run houses. A blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, the house was described by Robert Parker Jr as "the greatest Champagne house you`ve never heard of"...
Canned Wine
We were expecting a big increase in the demand for canned wines in 2022, however, this didn’t quite materialise. Consumers may still be a little sceptical or apprehensive to try it. With the sheer range that is now available on the market is it going to be hard to avoid them in 2023 so we predict that this may finally be the year of the wine can. Perfect for outdoor events and festivals or long train journeys!
Going down
Champagne allocations
Following two years of sustained outperformance, some view Champagne as having reached its peak. Yet with global demand still high and smaller allocations available, we may still see a squeeze on availability and an increase in prices coming down the line in 2023.
New Zealand Sauvignon
New Zealand was in pretty short supply in 2022 due to the poor harvest of 2021 when yields were down by 30%. This has resulted into many consumers sourcing their Sauvignon from other regions. The question is will they go back? Yields in Marlborough returned to normal for the 2022 harvest, however, the global demand has increased so prices will remain high and there will still be limited access with some wines only available on an allocation basis. Our pick of the bunch is Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2022. The flavours are a mix of ripe tropical fruits, citrus and cooler notes of fresh herbs, tomato leaf and pea pod. It is dry and full-bodied but a crisp finish provides freshness and length.
High alcohol red wine
Red wine will continue to see moderate declines in favour of white, sparkling and rosé. We think one of the reasons is the increase in alcohol (ABV) that we are witnessing in wines from around the world. This has been accelerated by climate change, where wine regions are experiencing hotter weather conditions resulting in riper grapes with higher sugar levels. This sugar is converted to alcohol during the fermentation process by yeast and if there is move sugar in the grapes, this will convert to higher alcohol level in the final wine.
Heavy-weight bottles
Chunky, heavy weight bottles are often seen as sign of the quality of wine inside the bottle, although this is not always the case and some volume wines can be bottled in heavy weight glass. However, with the cost of glass increasing, reducing the weight of the glass bottle is a simple way to cut costs whilst reducing the carbon footprint. Expect to see more light weight bottles this year.
