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🫗 The Rise of Zero-Alcohol

🫗 The Rise of Zero-Alcohol

In this week’s DECORKED digest you will read all about new labeling rules, trends of the upcoming year, the rise of the zero-alcohol, vineyard chemicals, and much more. Keep reading!

January 07, 2024

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Happy Sunday! Welcome to 2024! In this week’s DECORKED you will find all about new labeling rules, trends of the upcoming year, the rise of the zero-alcohol, vineyard chemicals, and much more. Keep reading!

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INTERESTING THIS WEEK

🏀 NBA star drinks rare Bordeaux fine wine on the way to game READ HERE

🤳 Can TikTok help future-proof the wine trade? READ HERE

⚔️ A new wine legal battle erupts in California READ HERE

🍷 What will wine lovers drink in 2024? READ HERE

📝 What makes wine special? READ HERE

🎥 A drink with… Idris Elba READ HERE

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We curate, filter, and select only the most exciting and important news for you.

SPRAYING GOODBYE TO VINEYARD CHEMICALS

In viticulture, the negative view of vine spraying is evolving as winemakers seek natural alternatives over chemical fungicides like glyphosate-based Roundup. Moving beyond traditional copper and sulfur products, some opt for holistic treatments. Gaia Gaja notes the distinction, stating conventional sprays defend vines but leave residues absent in organics. Kashy Khaledi criticizes conventional methods for impacting soil biology. Tomoko Kuriyama, on the other hand, favors skim milk over powdered sulfur, and Khaledi incorporates seaweed, specifically kelp, in Napa vineyards. These natural remedies mark a shift away from chemical-intensive vineyard practices.

NEW WINE LABEL REFORMS TAKE EFFECT

Starting from January 1, 2024, the UK government has implemented new wine reforms, notably eliminating the requirement for importer addresses on wine labels. Following a public consultation in October 2023, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) decided that only the name and address of the food business operator (FBO) must be indicated on labels for imported wines. Additionally, wines already labeled, in the supply chain, or placed on the market before January 1, 2024, are exempt from re-labeling. Miles Beale, CEO of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), praised the reforms, emphasizing their positive impact on reducing post-Brexit labeling constraints. Moreover, restrictions on producing and selling Piquette, a lower-alcohol drink with historical roots, have also been lifted.

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CAN MACHINES TASTE WINE?

AI is a prevalent topic today, particularly in the context of its potential impact on the world of wine. While information technology has practical applications in vine-growing, ranging from selecting suitable vineyard sites to predicting crop levels and grape quality, there are limitations when it comes to winemaking decisions. Robotic vineyard machinery and AI systems claim to predict fine wine prices based on meteorology, but the final decision on wine composition relies on a winemaker's palate and sensory expertise. Despite the automation of tasks like grape picking, human assessment remains crucial to evaluate the nuanced aspects of wine, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of individuals (humans) with expertise in the wine industry.

SIX WINE INDUSTRY TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2024

Amidst challenges like inflation and labor shortages in 2023, the wine is industry also seeing positive trends. Forward-thinking winemakers promote eco-friendly practices, and a new generation brings numerous innovations to the industry. Looking to 2024, some of the trends we can look out for include: regenerative viticulture as it becomes a global sustainability standard, labor shortages drive focus on workforce issues, and consolidation fosters industry unity. Co-fermentation gains popularity, the East Coast makes a growing impact, and grassroots efforts advance diversity and inclusion in the wine world.

THE REMARKABLE RISE OF ZERO-ALCOHOL FIZZ

Non-alcoholic fizz is experiencing robust growth, extending beyond teetotalers and presenting a significant market opportunity. The convergence of sparkling wine and alcohol-free trends has led to a surge in demand, with the no and low category showing a remarkable 32% increase in total value. Sparkling wine's sturdy growth creates a timely opportunity for producers, retailers, and publicans to target the right consumers with suitable brands. The US is a notable market for this trend, witnessing an 18% volume growth in the non-alcoholic wine category. This appeal spans various demographics and occasions, driven by health considerations, religious beliefs, early-morning plans, or a general preference for alcohol-free alternatives.

FRANCE BUYS BACK BORDEAUX

China's interest in Bordeaux properties is declining as more châteaux return to French hands. Initially, Chinese investors acquired numerous estates between 2011 and 2019, but stricter capital flow restrictions imposed by the Chinese Communist Party in 2019 led to a significant drop in transactions. Vineyards like Clos Bel Air, Châteaux Senilhac, Tour Saint Pierre, and Larteau were bought at discounted prices, and some were renamed. However, the renaming strategy proved problematic, confusing consumers. Facing economic challenges, the foreign buyers sold their acquisitions to a French duo in 2022. Denis Chazarain and David Caillaud, co-owners of Les Domaines de l'Emissaire, purchased the four estates and promptly restored their original names. The shift in ownership reflects a move away from foreign investment and a renewed emphasis on French ownership and tradition in Bordeaux.

THE 2023 VINTAGE WAS EXCEPTIONAL FOR CALIFORNIA

The delayed start to California's wine grape harvest this year did not compromise the quality of the vintage, with vintners expressing enthusiasm for an exceptional outcome. Abundant winter rains rejuvenated soils, fostering healthy canopies. Cooler temperatures during spring and summer allowed grapes to develop gradually, benefiting from extended ripening time. According to the San Francisco-based Wine Institute, winemakers anticipate the 2023 vintage to be among the finest in years, resulting in wines characterized by beautiful flavors, vibrant acidity, and remarkable balance. While the harvest commenced late, running two weeks to a full month behind schedule, many varieties matured simultaneously, leading to a compressed harvest. Some wineries even expect to continue grape picking into late November. Christian Ahlmann, vice president at Six Sigma Ranch, emphasized the positive impact of the unusually cold and wet winter, noting the restoration of soil moisture and the vines' favorable response in spring.

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WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

Tasmania is the 'Island State' of the 'Island Continent', and the most southerly state of Australia. It lies 240 kilometers (150 miles) off the coast of Victoria, on the opposite side of the Bass Strait – a relatively shallow channel that separates the Great Australian Bight from the Tasman Sea. As in the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula across the Bass Strait in Victoria, the leading grape varieties here are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and all three regions are noted for their sparkling wines. In general, however, Tasmania's choice of grape varieties is closer to those of New Zealand than Australia, reflecting the cool maritime climate. Sauvignon Blanc is increasing year by year, as are Riesling and Pinot Gris. Tasmania's red varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, remain essentially static, far behind the rest. Hardly any Shiraz is grown, further emphasizing the differences between Tasmania and the rest of Australia. This wild, wet climate makes the west of Tasmania better suited to the rainforest which covers it than to any form of viticulture. Most Tasmanian vineyards are located on lower slopes and valleys in the north and east, however, and enjoy a more moderate maritime climate.

GRAPE OF THE WEEK: CABERNET FRANC

Cabernet Franc is a black-skinned French wine grape variety grown in most wine-producing nations. The variety is most famously known as a key red grape in the Loire Valley and as the third grape of Bordeaux. It can be found in many of the world's top Bordeaux blend wines. As a varietal wine, Cabernet Franc is delicate and aromatic – particularly in its youth. It shares many of the same attributes of Cabernet Sauvignon but is distinct by its pronounced green, vegetal note that can range from leafy and garrigue to green bell pepper. When blended with other varieties, it adds herbaceous accents of tobacco and dark spice as well as contributing a smoother and rounder mouthfeel. The greatest concern in regards to the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon is its susceptibility to the Leaf Roll virus. Old vines in particular have produced high incidence and severity levels, reducing yields and the ability to produce color compounds within the grape skins.

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