10 WINE TRENDS FOR 2016
Vintage isn't just something you wear, you taste it too. Alcohol levels drop, organic is here to stay, wine and food experiences, and more.
“Fashion changes, but style endures,” said Coco Chanel. This year's wine world trends definitely add taste to our glass:
1.Less is more. “Low” is the way we want it. Low calories, low cost... This is the reason for dealcoholized wine. It allows us to enjoy a glass and consume almost no alcohol and fewer calories or have wine at lunch without it affecting our performance at work. This explains the success of Natureo(available in red and white) with its floral and fruit aromas, as delightful as sugar-free grape juice.
2.Organic is no longer a fad or a niche market.
People are genuinely concerned about how their food is processed and that includes wine. The mission of theTorres & Earth program states, “The more we care for the earth, the better our wine.”
3.Concern for the environment has driven the design of systems that mitigate the impact of climate change: reduction in energy consumption, sustainable architecture (in-house water treatment plants, rainwater harvesting ponds, etc.), renewable energy that cuts down on carbon emissions, and the management, reuse and recycling of organic waste using a system of modular compost bins.
4. Sensory tourism and wine and food experiences are all the rage in 2016. At the Mas Rabell restaurant, you will find wine & food pairing menus starting at 33 euros. Plus, a tour that includes the matching of four cheeses and wines. And don’t forget winery visits in the Penedès or Priorat, which you can turn into a weekend getaway, hotel included.
5. Wine goes digital. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and beyond social media: wine-flavored posts and blogs provide consumers with answers to their questions. Club Torres and more.
6.More discerning and knowledgeable consumers. Wine tasting courses are accessible to all. Tasting notes appear in the mainstream media. Consumers know what they like and don't like. They have reached “sensory maturity” and have taken the time to understand wine.
7.A return to tradition. Forty vintages of Mas La Plana are proof of the enduring power of good craftsmanship. This Cabernet Sauvignon from the Penedès has become a symbol of top-quality Spanish Cabernet with a capital C. Secret del Priorat, a Cariñena and Garnacha blend that celebrates exquisite traditional sweet reds, also marks a return to our roots. Vintage isn't just something you wear, you taste it too.
8.Good, appealing and affordable wines. “Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity.” I once again quote Chanel. And it’s absolutely true. Wines like Coronas, Sangre de Toro or De Casta are affordable luxuries, worth far more than their price tags. They're also perfect for anyone making their first foray into the wine world.
9. Latin America in the spotlight. The Roca brothers and the tour of their entire restaurant show us how in Latin American culture is right now. They've been to Peru and Mexico so far and will continue to win over America this year. A pioneer since 1979, Miguel Torres Chile continues to break new ground with Santa Digna Estelado, a splendid bubbly rosé that expresses the versatility of this terroir.
10. No color discrimination. “The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you,” said Coco. Full-bodied whites like Milmanda have proven to be the most suitable match for new creative cuisine. Versatile and friendly rosés make the rounds at tapas bars in the hippest neighborhoods, whereas young reds inspire lengthy conversations.
Meritxell Falgueras
