2016’s Hot Grape Will Be ... Cabernet Franc
While dozens of obscure, exotic varieties with unpronounceable names will attract buzz, cabernet franc is seriously ripe for its own moment. The most important red grape of France's Loire Valley (itself attracting buzz), cab franc is a rising star in Chile, California, Washington State, Argentina, the Finger Lakes, Virginia, and South Africa. Why? It’s highly versatile and makes fragrant, elegant wines with earthy, spicy, herbal notes with a food-friendly tingly acidity.
And as the climate heats up in Bordeaux, winemakers at prestigious Pomerol estates like Chateau Lafleur are adding more cab franc to their merlot/cab franc blends because the grapes contribute higher acidity and lower alcohol.
Italy Is The Next Burgundy
Burgundy is still super hot, pulling in big bucks at auctions. But as trade in top Bordeaux drifts downward on international wine exchangeLiv-exand Burgundy seems priced for billionaires, Italian reds like Ornellaia and Sassicaia and 2010 Brunello di Montalcinos seem like bargains. But I’m looking to Piedmont as the next collectible territory for out-priced Burgundy lovers. Barolo and Barbaresco offer an awful lot of what makes Burgundy appealing–wonderfully scented, terroir- driven, food-friendly, complex reds from single vineyards.
The Over-Kill Luxury Winery Tour Is Coming
When top wines go for ridiculous sums, who can be surprised if winery tours take the same path? The Napa Valley’s Castello di Amorosa, a 107-room recreation of a 13th-century Tuscan castle, with fermentation rooms and barrel cellar, has started the ball rolling for exclusive, expensive winery tours. Their VIP packages run from $1,000 to $20,000, which could include a barrel head branded with your name, a leather bound album of photos of you on the day-long tour taken by a professional photographer, 288 bottles of cabernet sauvignon from your own barrel of wine, with personalized labels, and even a box of 15 Montecristo Platinum collection cigars.
Champagne house Duval-Leroy has introduced the ultimate tour in which you can also create your own blend, which will be delivered in engraved bottles. Minimum order 1,000 at a cost of 40,000 euros ($43,722).
Wine-by-the-Glass Is Back To The Future
A cluster of converging trends will result in better—and many more—wines by-the-glass in restaurants everywhere. Curious consumers are looking to expand their palates; the rise of casual wine-focused bistros reflects the way we eat and drink; and innovative wine preservation technology is now available.