Wine Trend - Sweeter Wines (A Commentary)

We have noticed an uptick in the number of articles and mentions on the InterWebs surrounding the growing popularity of sweeter wines, most specifically the increase in Moscato (aka Muscat) sales.  HERE is an article from Philly.com that reflects that trend.

Now, we are not haters (or snoots) when it comes to sweeter wines we simply have preferences.  We do love a good Gewurztraminer or Riesling.  We have tried a few Dry Rieslings of late that have been really great.  However, as a wine sensation, to us there is nothing better than the pucker and lusciousness of big, bold, and balanced red wine (whatever the grape).  But, that is preference talking.  So, if we are in a Wine Bar/Restaurant that is what we are going to gravitate to first.  The whites we drink tend to be situational.  Hot day and a patio?  The last thing we want to see is a glass of Aussie Shiraz.  Having a nice seafood feast?  A wonderful flinty Riesling hits the spot.  But, what drives a trend?  Is it that wine drinkers like us get into habits/ruts and suddenly we get swept up in drinking a Moscato and then we tell our friends (online and otherwise) and they tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and voila a trend is born.  Or is there something else behind this?  Maybe wine companies doing a bang up job at marketing a category that has been sagging.  Maybe Wine Bloggers picking up on what people around them are drinking or plugging a particular preference (see us and Cab Franc)?

In any event, whatever the reason or reasons, it is very interesting to see how this unfolds in the real wine world.  Will there be grape farmers digging up Chardonnay vines to plant Moscato and Riesling to capitalize on the bandwagon?  Probably not but for some larger producers I would say there may be a number of orders being placed to those folks who are growing Riesling (good for them!).  Here in Canada, Riesling tends to do pretty darn well so the future looks bright should this be more than a flash in the pan type of trend.  We don't feel like we follow wine trends, but who knows maybe we do and just don't realize it.  We did drink a lot of Aussie Shiraz when they were plugging that.....and then we did drink a lot of Malbec when Argentina hit the economic skids and now we are more than enamored with Cab Franc.  Hmmmm, maybe we are sheep being led to pasture!  :)

Bottom line, let your taste buds do the walking.  Try everything, and if Moscato or Riesling ring true to your palate then guess what, that is your preference not some trend.  If the trend gets you trying new wines and making new wine adventures then 'God Bless Wine Trends!'.

Keep on drinking!

Chris & Shannon