2024 Wine Ins and Outs

Want to know what you should be pouring in your glass this year? Well lucky for you, our wine manager, David Nagy, has delved into the grapevine and highlighted the trends that will be shaping the wine scene in 2024. From up-and-coming wine regions to revived classics, this is your guide to what's in and what's out in the world of wine. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or just enjoy a good glass, join us as we uncork the latest and greatest trends that'll define this year's wine culture, and what things we’ll be leaving behind in 2023. Cheers to staying ahead of the curve and discovering what's worth sipping on in 2024!

Ins

Premiumisation and the Wine Drinking Experience

This year it’s all about quality over quantity and setting your sights high on more premium wines. In line with a healthier lifestyle movement, consumers are drinking less, but with an emphasis on enjoying finer selections! It's also not just about what's in the glass; it's about creating a whole vibe, a Mediterranean-style mindset where wine and food are like the ultimate power duo – evolving side by side and throwing a flavour party together. Getting more from the experience and enjoying the good life, one delicious moment at a time. 

Sustainable and Organic Wines: 

While not a completely novel concept, consumer interest in environmentally friendly and sustainable winemaking practice is steadily on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down. There's a growing inclination among consumers to seek out wines crafted from organically or biodynamically grown grapes, driven by a desire to contribute positively to the environment.

What makes these wines sustainable? Many of the wineries practice water and energy conservation in their vineyards, prioritising preserving ecosystems and local wildlife. These winemakers aren’t just tending to their vines; they’re cultivating a legacy for (humble) grapes to thrive for years to come, taking good care of the soil that they work from. Instead of reaching for harmful pesticides, they’ve got natural resources on hand to keep those pesky pests in check. Some even rock energy-efficient equipment, ensuring their winemaking groove doesn’t disrupt the wild party happening in natural ecosystems. When it comes to sustainable sipping, our London wine bars have over 450 bottles to choose from.

Alternative Varietals and Regions

Wine enthusiasts have been ditching the usual suspects and diving into the exciting world of underdog grape varieties and unexpected wine regions. While famous regions such as Bordeaux or Burgundy are the rockstars of the wine scene and undoubtedly produce some amazing wine, it’s also time to shine some light on up-and-coming regions, such as Eastern Europe for some hidden gems. It's also worth looking at wines made a little closer to home, in places such as Portugal. Portuguese red wines, especially those from central Portugal, tend to be delicious and are often great value for money because the region isn't so famous that they don't have to command a higher price.

Terroir Focus: Single Vineyard Wines

Wine is liquid geography, so we’re expecting to see a growing interest and demand for wines showing unique characteristics due to the land's unique terroir. Single Vineyard simply means that the wine in the bottle comes from a single vineyard site, so this vineyard, and the grapes grown there, have been isolated from all other vineyards due to its superiority. At Humble Grape we have a few of these gems including Rieslings from Von Winning and Weingut Wurtzberg, and Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from Burgundy – where excellence is an understatement. 

Low-ABV Wines

The spotlight is now shining on the realms of low and no! Wines with lower alcohol content have become more popular, as consumers are looking for lighter, more refreshing options, that still packs a punch in flavour, without feeling overly intoxicated. These trendsetters in the wine world usually clock in between 5.5% and 9.5% ABV – the sweet spot of just-right sipping. And it’s not a matter of taste, there’s a science to it too - the warmer weather we’re experiencing across the world creates the need for fresher low-alcohol wines that can grow in these conditions. 

The Rise of Crémant

While it may be known as the ultimate indulgence, Champagne is losing its fizz with a decline in sales in the UK market. Alternative styles such as Crémant are on the rise as they offer a more affordable substitute to champagne with just as much personality. Often using the same traditional methods of production that make Champagne so special, Crémant hails from various regions in France, each bringing its own unique flair to the bottle. From the picturesque landscapes of Alsace to the sun-soaked vineyards of the Loire Valley, Crémant captures the essence of its terroir in every bubble.

Outs

Heavy Oak Influence

There has been a shift away from heavily oaked wines. Why, you ask? Well, savvy sippers are now on the lookout for wines that have mastered the art of balance when it comes to oak. Some are even riding the trend wave towards unoaked styles, letting the grape's natural vibes steal the spotlight. It's like a wine revolution, where oak takes a backseat, and the grape gets to show off its true colours.

Overly Extracted Wines

 Wines that are overly extracted, with intense concentration and high levels of alcohol, have faced some criticism. We’re seeing a rise of lighter, more elegant wines that are like the James Bond of the vino world – smooth, easy to drink, and the ultimate wingman for any dish! But here's the plot twist: thanks to our warming climate, crafting these light and lovely sippers is becoming more challenging in many regions. 

Wine Ratings as Sole Indicators of Quality

While critics' ratings used to be the cool kids on the block, there's a new vibe in town – a swing towards embracing personal taste and becoming the explorers of our own wine destinies. Some consumers are moving away from solely relying on numerical scores, because why follow the rules when you can dance to your own humble beat? It’s also becoming less about sipping and more about wine education. Learning the ABCs of wine flavours and discovering the secrets of our palates is not just educational – it's a downright blast! Our wine tasting events are the perfect place to start. 

Conventional Wine Labels

Guess what's getting a makeover in the wine aisle? Those old-school wine labels are getting a side-eye from consumers who crave something as unique and eye-catching as the wine inside. Wineries are increasingly investing in creative and artistic label designs and channelling their inner Picassos to stand out on the shelf. Check out this Malbec from Vinyes Ocults that is one of our favourites in our shop. 

High Alcohol Content

Once upon a sip, bold and high-alcohol wines reigned supreme, but guess what's stealing the spotlight now? Lower-alcohol options, and it’s not just a trend - wines with moderate alcohol levels are often seen as more food-friendly and suitable for various occasions. So, wave goodbye to the heavy hitters of the past, and let's cheers to the new era of moderate magic.

Snobbish Wine Culture

The wine world is getting a makeover, and it's shedding its exclusive vibes! There's a full-throttle push to make wine the life of the party, not the VIP section, and the industry is on a mission: inclusivity, education, and turning wine enjoyment into the ultimate everyone's-invited experience. Gone are the days of hush-hush exclusivity – it's all about poppin' bottles and sharing the grape love with everyone.