Wine News: Top Wine Trends to Look Out for in 2025

Wondering what 2025 might have in store for the wine world? Right that you would. So, don’t be surprised when you see the following wine industry trends either continuing on or taking shape in 2025.

Alternative Fizz + Grower Champagnes

With Prosecco now seeming to be going the way of supermarket Cava (i.e. oblivion), authentic, value-for-money fizz has since assumed a leading role in the UK’s drinking lifestyle. This has meant an increase not in just Crémant de Bourgogne, Crémant de Limoux and Blanquette de Limoux volumes, but indeed an increase in grower champagne options as well. Especially seeing how prices for more popular grandes marques have pulled away towards the £50 mark.

This has rendered handcrafted cuvées from much smaller grower estates like Champagne Guilleminot and Champagne Courtois – typically around the sub-£30/bottle mark – all the more unbeatable. Expect this uptick to continue.

Italian Regional Varietals

Top appellations like Barolo, ‘Super Tuscan’ and Brunello di Montalcino aside, expect the ongoing trend in great value regional Italy to continue. This means circa £13–£20/bottle options in such varietals as Barbera, Grillo, Arneis, Primitivo, Falanghina, Nero d’Avola and Aglianico. Not only are such wines aesthetically evocative of many a holiday maker to the country, but are now offering superior drinking value to their French counterparts.

These varieties offer unique flavor profiles and often thrive in their local terroirs, requiring fewer chemical interventions. Wineries are embracing these grapes not only as a means of differentiation but also as a nod to biodiversity and cultural preservation. Wine education initiatives and wine tourism will further bolster interest in these distinctive, terroir-driven wines.

Sustainability

No longer just a buzzword, ‘sustainability’ remains a central ethos driving winemaking practices globally. This year, more wineries are expected to adopt organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming techniques to meet growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly wines.

This will also mean producers implementing solar power, vineyard composting, and a reduction in packaging waste, all in the interest of promoting more carbon-neutral winemaking and water conservation. Look for an increase in certifications like Demeter, TerraCycle, and B Corp on labels as markers of this sustainability, as well as innovative approaches like carbon-capture technologies and recycled glass bottles.

Low- and No-Alcohol Wine

Expect the growing popularity of such wines to continue. As direct byproducts of the ‘mindful drinking’ movement, low- (12.5% and under) and no-alcohol alternatives are options that distributors will be unwise to ignore. And why winemakers are responding with higher-quality, flavour-driven options whilst moving away from the overly sweet styles of the past.

Look out for more refined, sophisticated, no-alcohol sparkling wines and low-ABV reds and whites that maintain varietal integrity. Wines vinified by such cutting-edge techniques as vacuum distillation and spinning cone columns that allow for alcohol removal without sacrificing aroma and texture. Offerings catering not only to health-conscious drinkers but also to those looking for more versatile, everyday options.

Cool-Climate Wines Even Cooler

As global warming shifts traditional winemaking regions, cool-climate wines are taking the spotlight for their freshness, elegance, and lower alcohol levels. Regions like England, Germany, Canada, and New Zealand are producing high-quality sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, and crisp whites like Riesling and Grüner Veltliner.

In South America, high-altitude vineyards in Argentina and Chile are delivering vibrant, terroir-driven expressions of Malbec and Chardonnay, as well as those of lesser known varietals for a growing audience seeking lighter, food-friendly styles with balanced acidity and a sense of place.

Chenin Blanc Revival

Chenin Blanc is enjoying a well-deserved resurgence as wine enthusiasts rediscover its incredible versatility. Often referred to as the ‘chameleon grape,’ Chenin Blanc produces a wide range of styles, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, sparkling, and even fortified wines. South Africa continues to lead the charge with its old-vine Chenin Blancs, showcasing depth, texture, and ageability.

Meanwhile, Loire Valley producers are elevating classic expressions from regions like Vouvray and Savennières. Chenin Blanc’s vibrant acidity and complex aromatics make it a favorite for food pairings, and its newfound popularity is introducing a new generation of wine drinkers to its charms.

Wine in Alternative Packaging

Continuing eco-consciousness will continue to fuel innovation in alternative wine packaging solutions. This year, formats like cans, bag-in-box, paper bottles, and refillable containers are expected to dominate shelves.

Canned wine, in particular, continues to grow in popularity due to its convenience, portability, and reduced environmental impact. Bag-in-box wine is shedding its old reputation as lower quality, with premium producers embracing this format for its extended shelf life and cost-effectiveness.

Recyclable paper bottles, made from sustainable materials, are becoming a symbol of innovation whilst appealing to younger, eco-savvy consumers. And as wineries work to minimise their carbon footprints, such alternative formats coincide with sustainability goals while meeting the needs of a modern, on-the-go lifestyle.

Broaden Your Experience In 2025 With FVD

With 2025 firmly under way, now’s when to start trying those things you’ve yet to. So, click through some of the links provided above to get your journey started. With enough hand-picked options available across the FromVineyardsDirect range, let them broaden your tasting experience and make 2025 the year your go-to list of wine preferences lengthened with it.

-- David Adamick, FromVineyardsDirect