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Wine in the future

Sipping Into the Future: Wine Trends That Will Define 2025

5 Minutes read
Journalist

In my many years as a beverage writer and Certified Specialist of Wine (not as hard as it sounds, mostly just a lot of spitting), I've learned a thing or two about the wonderful world of wine. I've sipped Sauvignon Blanc in the shadow of the Place de la Bourse, contemplated the merits of Garnacha with Spanish Viñateros, and even used a $1,000 bottle of Burgundy to unclog a particularly stubborn sink drain (didn't work, by the way). But if there's one skill I've mastered, it's the art of vinous prognostication. 

And with so much uncertainty in the world right now (Political unrest! Environmental upheaval! Courtney Ford & Brandon Routh divorce after 17 years of marriage!), there’s plenty about which one can speculate.

So, let’s gaze into my crystal glass, peer into the swirling mists of the future, and discern what the year 2025 holds for the wonderful world of fermented grape juice.

People Will Drink (Slightly) Less Wine

Before you start hoarding cases of Josh in your underground bunker, let me be clear: there will be no wine apocalypse this year. But there are a few factors that suggest an imminent dip in consumption. 

First, many are abuzz over the fact that Surgeon General Murthy is getting increasingly vocal about the health risks associated with alcohol. He's not wrong, of course–but did he have to say it out loud? Between a steadily mounting pile of health studies, and Murthy’s pleas to add warning labels on bottles, some folks might be rethinking that second (or first) glass of Pinot.

Pair this with the fact that Gen Z is drinking less altogether, and Trump’s threats to increase tariffs on everything–from fermented grape juice, to bottles, to corks, to "I ❤️ Wine" socks–and you’ve got a recipe for decreased alcohol consumption.

Non-Alcoholic Wine Will Be Even More of a Thing

Remember when non-alcoholic (NA) beer was nothing but watery, tasteless swill that you’d reluctantly chug at Brandon Rosenbaum’s Bar Mitzvah just to impress Becky Adlow? (No? Just me?) Well, times have changed. The NA beer market has exploded in recent years, with brands like Athletic Brewing proving with great success that you can have flavor and fun without the hangover. In fact, according to NielsenIQ, the NA market for beer, wine, and spirits grew by over 30% last year!

What’s more, market research firm Fact.MR is projecting that the NA market for wine alone will increase 170% (from $2.5BB to nearly $7BB!) in just 10 years. I believe it. Having recently visited Boro6, a fantastic wine bar in Westchester, New York, I was astonished to find an entire menu dedicated to non-alcoholic wines. And guess what? Some of them were actually...good. Lautus Dealcoholized Sauvignon Blanc, for example, offers a refreshing and crisp experience, with notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and a subtle grassiness–just like the grown-up stuff!

Girl using wine app on smartphone before buying a wine bottle

$30 is the New $20

Inflation is that annoying friend who always shows up uninvited and eats all your snacks. And the wine industry is just as susceptible to its presence.

Fortunately, while wine prices are being driven higher in general, American wine drinkers are becoming more discerning. Younger generations, in particular, tend to pay more attention to what they put in their bodies (unlike me, who once voluntarily ate a gas station hot dog). Which means the appeal of that $7 bottle of Barefoot Moscato–made with pesticide-laden grapes, sticks, birds' nests, and unidentifiable raccoon parts–is fading fast. 

On the flip side, the $30 bottle is having a moment, as Gen Z and Millennials provide support for the price point. You can still find incredible value in the $25-$35 range, with wines that are lovingly crafted and bursting with complexity and flavor–and younger folks are willing to pay for it. So, while inflation might sting a bit, it's also pushing us towards a world of better wine.

wine-decanter-how-to-use

Weird Varieties in Unexpected Places

If inflation is your unwanted snack-stealing party guest, climate change is the dude who smashes a lamp and starts an electrical fire that's quickly engulfing the house. With unpredictable weather patterns and rising temperatures, winemakers are being forced to adapt–and that means experimenting with grape varieties that were previously unthinkable in certain regions. Expect to see Albariño, a grape typically associated with the cool, coastal regions of Spain, thriving in the warmer climes of Southern England. While this might sound sacrilege to traditionalists, it's actually leading to some exciting new wines.

Who knows? Maybe Oregon will become the new home of Malbec, or we'll soon be sipping Riesling from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The possibilities are endless (and a little bit terrifying).

Summerhill Pyramid Winery, British Columbia.

Whites on the Rise!

(I regret that heading already.) While red wine seems to be struggling globally, white wine is surging in popularity. According to a 2023 report by the French-based International Organisation of Vine and Wine, “the consumption of red wine has decreased by 15% in less than fifteen years. On the other hand, white wine has increased by 10% from its lowest level in 2000.” 

Perhaps it's the refreshing acidity, the food-friendly versatility, or the fact that you don't have to worry about creepy “red wine teeth”–but white wine is most certainly having its moment in the sun (or, more accurately, the cool, crisp shade), and will continue to gain traction this year.

white wine
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