- DECORKED
- Posts
- 🍾 FIZZ IS FOREVER
🍾 FIZZ IS FOREVER
In this week’s DECORKED digest, we explore why sparkling wine is winning over young drinkers, how Australia is handling a growing wine surplus, and the surprising trend of red wine on ice cream.
Collection of important links, information, and more.
đź“Ś EMAIL - contact for business inquiries
đź“Ś ADVERTISING - for advertising inquiries contact us via the email above
Happy Monday! We hope you have a great week ahead. In this week’s DECORKED digest, we explore why sparkling wine is winning over young drinkers, how Australia is handling a growing wine surplus, and the surprising trend of red wine on ice cream. Keep reading!
➡️ PARTNERSHIP/SPONSORSHIP packages are available! Advertise your wine-related brand/product/story with the best community out there. For contact, please see above.
Read the most important and interesting news this week.
🍷 This 2000-year-old wine has gained Italy’s top wine designation READ HERE
🏆 VIK Winery is chosen as the Best Vineyard in the World READ HERE
đź’° Online wine auctions hit price parity with live sales READ HERE
🍇 The Enthusiast 100: The best wines of 2025 READ HERE
🔍 Grand Cru gang finally faces trial READ HERE
Collection of partnerships and collaborations.
đź“Ś AMBLE WINE PARTNERSHIP - Explore the world of wine with Amble Wine's comprehensive World Wine Map Workbooks and challenging Wine Quiz Workbook, masterfully crafted by wine scholar Lea Gatinois. As our valued reader, enjoy a 5% discount on these premium, eco-friendly resources using code DECORKED at checkout (or click HERE). Expand your wine expertise today!
We curate, filter, and select only the most exciting and important news for you.
FRANCE IS UPROOTING VINES
France has announced an additional €130 million in aid to support further vine uprooting as the wine sector struggles with declining consumption, climate-driven harvest losses, and geopolitical pressures. The government seeks EU co-funding and frames the measure as essential to preventing structural oversupply, despite criticism that removing vineyards may increase wildfire risk in the south. While 2025 production is expected to recover slightly from last year, it remains well below the five-year average due to heat, drought, and reduced vineyard area.
SPARKLING WINE KEEPS ITS SHINE
Sparkling wine is outperforming still wine across the US, UK, and France as Millennials and Gen Z increasingly drink fizz casually rather than only for celebrations. While overall volumes dipped slightly, younger LDA consumers are boosting everyday consumption, reshaping the category and driving growth in segments like Prosecco, flavoured sparkling, Crémant, English sparkling, and Crémant d’Alsace. Champagne, meanwhile, continues to decline due to high prices and shifting perceptions of value.
AUSTRALIA’S WINE SURPLUS GROWS
Australia’s wine industry is facing a growing supply-demand imbalance, with 2024–25 production reaching 1.13 billion litres (up 9% from the previous year) while sales remained almost flat at 1.08 billion litres. Exports accounted for 59% of sales, but domestic consumption continues a long-term decline. Rising stock levels, particularly for still white wines, pushed the national stock-to-sales ratio 15% above the 10-year average.
HOW WINE GAINS NEW DRINKERS
Younger wine drinkers are reshaping the category as traditional pathways into wine, so family dinners, workplace tastings, and formal restaurants play a smaller role. Evidence from IWSR, NielsenIQ, CGA, and Gallup shows that Millennials and Gen Z start with approachable styles like sparkling, rosé, sweeter wines, and chilled reds, often in casual, social settings such as wine bars or tasting rooms. Digital content, smaller formats, and peer recommendations further lower barriers to trial, while markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa show that local environments and food pairings strongly influence engagement.
BALANCING TASTE AND PROFIT IN RESTAURANTS
With dining out becoming more expensive and margins razor-thin, restaurants are getting creative with their wine lists. Beverage directors are leaning on crowd-pleasing classics and versatile, affordable options like Cava, Vinho Verde, and Prosecco, which work by the glass or in cocktails. By blending familiar favorites with unique, carefully chosen wines, they keep profits healthy while giving guests exciting, approachable choices.
CAN FEWER RULES BOOST ARGENTINE WINE?
Argentina’s wine industry is struggling with declining domestic and export sales, reflecting global trends in reduced alcohol consumption. To boost the sector, the government has repealed nearly 1,000 regulations, shifting oversight from the entire production process to just the bottled wine. Some winemakers welcome the reduced bureaucracy and potential cost savings, while others, including the Winegrowers Association of Mendoza, warn that deregulation could weaken quality control, harm producers’ income, and undermine consumer confidence in the authenticity and value of Argentine wines.
RED WINE ON ICE CREAM?
Red wine on ice cream is turning heads and raising eyebrows. Sweet, fruit-forward wines like Port or Pinot Noir create a surprisingly decadent contrast with creamy scoops, while chocolate or berry flavors can make the pairing sing. It’s a visually stunning, slightly rebellious treat that challenges tradition, and might just become your new favorite indulgence..
Learn something new every week.
Copyright @ The Good Wine Shop
WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: VINHO VERDE, PORTUGAL
The Vinho Verde region in northwestern Portugal is famous for its fresh, light, and aromatic white wines, though reds and rosés are also produced. Its vineyards benefit from the Atlantic climate and river valleys, producing crisp wines with bright fruit and low alcohol, making them both refreshing and versatile.
Copyright @ Cellar Tours
GRAPE OF THE WEEK: LOUREIRO
Loureiro is a highly aromatic white grape from northern Portugal, mainly used in Vinho Verde wines. Known for its fresh, crisp flavors with notes of orange and acacia, it thrives in coastal and river valley vineyards. Light, low in alcohol, and often slightly effervescent, Loureiro pairs perfectly with seafood, light dishes, and fresh, zesty flavors.
How are you satisfied with this week's DECORKED?Let us know, so we can do better. Simply click bellow. |
If someone forwarded this email to you, click HERE to subscribe.
Help us grow and earn rewards.