Aussie sparkling reds predicted to soar in 2017

Sparkling reds are expected to steal the show at Wine Australia's annual Australia Day Tasting in London on January 24.

The largest annual trade tasting of Australian wine outside Australia will have over 1000 wines available to taste, covering 65 different regions across five states.

It will also feature themed master classes on Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, Australia’s age-worthy whites and McLaren Vale Grenache.

But the drinks business says Aussie sparkling Shiraz that will be the star pour on offer, following UK wine merchant Bibendum's prediction last month that red would be the next chapter in the ‘alternative sparkling’ story.

Bibendum's 8 Trends Picks for 2017 noted: "The UK is still in love with Prosecco, but as On Trade fizz volume growth (+40%) is driven by lower prices (-8%), outlets are diversifying to offer customers a taste of something different when it comes to bubbles. Alternative sparkling is already an established trend, but we’re now seeing this expand to include sparkling red and Lambrusco."

(Decanter was less certain, describing it as one of Bibendum's "more off-the-wall predictions.")

Among the selection of sparkling reds on offer at the Australia Day tasting will be wines from Dowie Doole, Gatt Wines, Peter Lehmann, Taltarni and Turkey Flat.

Wine Australia is also hoping to expand the repertoire of Aussie wines exported to the UK beyond the traditional Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, by offering Assyrtiko, Dolcetto, Fiano, Lagrein, Malbec, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Touriga Nacional, among others, to taste. 

'Premiumisation' will be the other hot trend, with iconic fine wines represented including Penfold’s St Henri Shiraz, Torbreck’s Descendant, Clonakilla’s Shiraz Viognier, Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon, Henschke’s Julius Riesling and De Bortoli’s Noble One.

Laura Jewell MW, Wine Australia head of market EMEA, said: “The trend towards premium wine is my prediction, but not just for 2017 as this is a gradual, ongoing movement. All three potential trends – alternative varieties, sparkling red and the move to premium – demonstrate that it’s a very exciting time for Australia.

“Quality, diversity and innovation are the hallmarks of Australian wine and this is exactly what we’ll be showcasing at the Australia Day Tasting.”