-
- Wine Dynamics
Being in Australia, I can see that 'traditional' varieties are starting to take a step aside and "new ones" are enjoying some popularity... Ex. Carmenere from Chile, Sangiovese from Italy, Tempranillo from Spain, etc... what is (you guys in the US) in your experience the dynamics that the market is experiencing at the moment? and the trends that you see in the next 12 months...
-
3027 - Reply by Philip, Jan 5.
The main varieties still dominate (although there's always a slight shift as people swear off merlot (thanks for the Sideways movie) or finally decide to move off to butter chardonnays (the "ABC" - anything but chardonnay - movement) and then move back again.
The US is a much younger wine growing region that Europe and there's still a lot of experimentation outside of the most well known regions (where its too expensive to try anything much new). Rhone varietals in California. Alsation varieties in Oregon and Washington and a whole host of experimentation in New York state.
-
759 - Reply by RBoulanger, Jan 6.
Mario, the vast majority US market is still following the traditional varieties Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio.
However, there is a growing and important segment who is always on the hunt for something new. Chilean Carmenere is a relatively small phenomenon because Chile doesn't export that much of it yet. However, Sangiovese and Tempranillo are Italy and Spain's key red grapes, respectively. Tuscan reds have been very popular for a while here, but I think that Spanish reds are poised to become much better known in the US over the next few years. I would also put southern Italian and Sicilian wines in that expanding category as well. Meanwhile, among the whites, new grapes keep appearing on wine lists: Albarino, Fiano, Gruner Veltliner, Sylvaner, etc.
The most important news for the US wine consumer is that there is now a vibrant new generation of wine drinkers who want to use any means possible (stores, blogs, web 2.0) explore new grapes, new styles, new regions and even new countries. It is amazing how quickly things are moving right now.
