Predictions for 2006

Posted by Tom Wark on Dec 31, 2005

FERMENTATION PREDICTIONS FOR 2006

1. ALCOHOL OVERLOAD
The release of the 2004 California vintage will see higher than average alcohol levels leading to a backlash against higher alcohols among knowledgeable wine drinkers

2. PINOT NOIR A HIT–BUT SMALLER
Sales of Pinot Noir will continue to impress, but not at 2005 levels

3. PRICE INCREASES
A stable economy, though not booming, will lead to slight overall increases in wines, particularly in wines currently selling between $15 and $25.

4. MORE WINE BLOGS
The number of wine blogs will continue to increase at a steady pace with far more wineries undertaking to blog as a way to stay in closer touch with their customers

5. POP CULTURED WINE
Through television and cinema wine will take on a higher profile in our pop culture

6. HIGHER TAXES
We will see a few states increase taxes on beer, wine and spirits to overcome deficits

7. CRITTER INVASION CONTINUES
More and more new cute animal and otherwise cute labels will continue to hit the market at all price points

8. WINE BLOG ADVERTISING GROWS
We’ll see a 10X increase, at least, in money spent on advertising on wine blogs.

9. SPARKLING WINE SALES SPARKLE
2006 will be the year when people venture into Sparkling wines and champagne on a more regular basis spurring a significant increase in sales of these wines

10. NUMBERS AND RATINGS OF WINE AS POPULAR AS EVER
The rating and reviewing game will be as strong as ever with no backlash against Mr. Parker, the Spectator. In fact, we’ll even more interest in other wine reviewers and wine publications that rate wine