The Unified Series #5 ...5 wine trends for 2019

Each year, people from the global wine world come together for North America's Unified Wine and Grape Symposium (Link.)

A hot topic each year is Wine Trends.
The forecast for wine fans and the industry, & what to keep an eye on.

 #1 Rose'

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Today's Rose' has matured. She and can proudly hold her head high,
lift her chin, and be chosen for her merits—not just good looks.

Rose' isn't the Hershey bar of wine anymore. It may have been an easy go-to wine when people wanted something a bit sweet, served very chilled, or just looked pretty in the glass.
It was easy to grab on the end-cap.

Jason Haas, of Tablas Creek Vineyard, (Link) shared that some tasters say, "I don't drink Rose'.”
Since it's already on the tasting menu, the staff encourage guests with
"Just try it. It won't cost you anything.”
Hugh Chappelle of Quivira Vineyards (Link) shared that Rose' is "one of the most technically challenging wines to make outside of sparkling wine. Rose' is a very difficult matrix.”

Tasters are often pleasantly surprised by how well Rose' pairs with foods and what it has to offer.

• Look for layers of flavor from light and fresh, to dry and earthy, to floral or fruity.
  
• A $5 bottle will pair with a Trader Joe's frozen pizza. A high end bottle, with scallops.
• Tasters can find organic and bio-dynamically made Rose'.
• Customers prefer the 12-13% lower alcohol range.
  

• Imported Rose' outpace Domestic Rose's.
  

Rose' can be made from different varietals, or types, of grapes. Read the label for the varietal, ie: “Rose' of Pinot Noir,” or “Rose' of Sangiovese.”

Common myths:
Rose' is for women and not masculine. It's too sweet, and it's something you serve in hot weather.

Facts:
Guys like Rose'. It can be bone-dry, not sweet. It's wonderful on a rainy day or any time of the year.

Rose' can be found in approachable price points.
Budget: < $10. Serve with pasta topped with veggies, and parmesan.
High end: > $10. Serve with grilled chicken or pork, fresh herbed bread, and spring greens.
Premium: > $20 Serve with seafood, fresh strawberries or melon, or mushroom risotto.

California is home to envy inducing Rose's. You can always find a selection at your local big box grocery store. Even better, you can find Rose' in almost every California wine region and tasting room.

#2 Outsourcing

It's rare to find the winemaker who has all the capital needed to start a winery. From the land, to winemaking facilities, the tasting room, supplies, and staffing—the costs add up. Many winemakers are turning to sharing or renting tasting room space with other wineries. Another trend is using custom crush services for winemaking needs.

Crush facilities can allow winemakers to bring in their grapes, crush, ferment, age, and bottle their wines under their own labels. And winemakers can still be hands on, making their wines. It's similar to a personal chef renting a commercial kitchen, instead of building and paying for one of their own. They are still the chef.

• Automation will be used more and more in the future as labor is grows scarce.
  
• Similar to a landlord-tenant agreement, crush facilities and winemakers need to have a contract and be clear of expectations and facility use.
• Large, name-brand wineries also outsource. Coppola Winery sources grapes from Lodi and Monterey County. But time is critical! Once harvested, the sooner the fruit is crushed the better.
  
• Transporting the grapes in the heat or traffic, or letting the fruit sit overnight can ruin the quality of the wine. So crushing near the harvest site makes for better wines.

#3 Beverage Competition

Wine is in competition. It's vying for your attention.
 With only so much shelf space in a store,
it's trying to keep its voice in a sea of beverages, which include:

-Non-alcoholic mixers and beverages: coffees, ice tea & lemon-aid, juice coolers, flavored sodas, etc.
-Mixed drinks, and wine spritzers, and juice blends.
-Other alcoholic beverages such as beer, and spirits.
-Sports, health drinks, even bottled water.

As much as I like wine, sometimes a kombucha really hits the spot.
Or if I need to drive, a glass of mineral water will have to do.
Beverage options are exponentially expanding.

#4 Sustainability

People are looking for sustainability made products. For the benefit of their health and the world. How do we do this and make it a way of life; not a diatribe? By making small and large changes, even in the wine industry.

• Wine fans are are looking for little to no additives in their wines.
• I often suggest people with allergies look for organically made wines.
• Eco-crop management can reduce, or eliminate pesticide run-off in the ground water.
• Locally sourced items often cost more, but can leave a lighter carbon footprint.
• California based, Gallo Glass (Link) manufactures wine bottles, offering jobs and commerce to the state. Purchasing and re-using 30% of all glass recycled in California, Gallo Glass bottles are made with up to 75% recycled glass—and are, themselves, recyclable .
  

#5 Guest Experience

Trends show that tasters are looking for an “experience" along with their wines.
Consumers are drinking better, not necessarily more, wine. Couple that with online wine shopping and there is less opportunity for discovery, or impulse, wine purchases in tasting rooms.

What are tasters looking for? That “something special” to go along with their wine moment--and seeking out wineries who can provide it.

Common wine experience trends include wine and....

• Concerts or live music.
• Winery lodging, or lodging partners.
• Food/dining: be it small plates, a bistro, picnic items for sale, or an on site restaurant.
  
• Friendly: kids welcome, a place for strollers, pet friendly, large unannounced groups...you name it.
  
• Wine packages, such as: winery cave tours, winemaker and barrel tastings, private/Club events, taco trucks, bocci ball, to wine cruises.
  
• Social media interaction between guests and the winery.
  

But what about small wineries? Or winemakers who don't event have their own tasting room? Are you...near the beach, on a ski route, or close to hiking? A hip, urban winery, or set in a quiet, bucolic setting? Show off what's special about your winery or tasting experience!

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Cheers, and clink your glasses to one of these wine trends,
Shondra Savadkohi

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