Consumer wine trends

While the economics of the wine industry continue to greatly influence the behaviors of wineries, winemakers, growers and distributors there are also clear trends from the consumers of wines at the retail level. While all of us continue to choose those bottlings that we prefer based on what we like to drink and our own budgets, these trends are interesting as they do influence what we see in the market both at retail stores and restaurants.

One of the most prominent trends over the past summer was consumers increasingly embracing dry rose as an aperitif wine alternative. When we first opened the dinner party nearly four years ago dry rose virtually did not exist as a category in the North Idaho market. Since that time with consistent exposure buyers actually come through the shop door asking about dry pink wine. Similarly some of those wines that were first in the market place sell out almost as quickly as we get them. As is the case with both the Skylark Pink Belly and the Elk Cove dry rose of Pinot Noir both sold out within the first couple of weeks after they arrived. So too did the Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, this gold standard for dry rose lasted a little longer but that was likely driven by prices more than twice the aforementioned Skylark and Elk Cove.

We also continue to see seasonality as a major trend in varietal selection. More and more folks are quite forthright about their desire to drink lighter bodied varietals in both reds and whites in the summer and bigger wines as the weather cools. While to a greater or lesser degree this pattern has always existed it does seem more pronounced recently.

Another clear trend that we see is consumers seeking out sparkling wine and Champagne consistently throughout the year. Four years ago the bubbly saw very low consumer demand, however now folks drop in to buy sparkling wine from a variety of appellations and producers at different price points and in many different size bottles, indicating to us that sparkling is being embraced for more than just celebrations. One of our customers has given us the fabulous idea of having a bucket filled with ice and 187ml bottles of sparkling right next to another bucket filled with cold beer during their outdoor summer parties! We think it's a fabulous idea since we too are fond of year round Champagne consumption.

Experimentation and openness to previously untried varietals is also on the rise. More than ever since we have been open we find that consumers are more welcoming to suggestions and many times will flat out state, "Normally I drink this varietal but would really like to try something new or different." With the American palate and winemaking talent expanding together this affords many of us a great opportunity to try new things.

The up and comers in white varietals based purely on requests are new world Sauvignon Blancs and to a lesser degree some of the old world whites like Albarino, Gruner Veltliner and others. While in reds the emerging varietals seem to be Malbec and Sangiovese. While Malbec has been requested for some time, it is nice to see Sangio re-emerge as folks reintroduce themselves to this great traditionally Italian grape. Blends continue to be a frequently requested red category as buyers find that a blend produces a wine more pleasing to the palate than some 100 percent varietal selections.

The most popular white varietals overall remain Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, while in reds Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and red blends leave the shop most frequently. Finally, if there were an award in wine for comeback player of the year it would be Syrah. After a multi-year stretch of over production and weak demand we have started to see consumers returning to this noble Rhne varietal. At a time when there is so much of this wine made in an area where it does so well we are happy to see the trend emerge.

The final piece of the puzzle for consumer buying patterns is price. While the high end collectors remain active for the ultra super premium productions the everyday wine consumer remains value conscious as they should. We continue to see compelling prices for great wines and there is no reason for consumers to reach to higher price categories - and they don't. We do however notice that customers are willing to buy their most favored wines but if wineries get aggressive with their pricing buyers are quick to move away for a better value.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party - a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo and writes frequently for the online version of Coeur d'Alene Magazine at www.cdamagazine.com. His articles can also be found on the blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.