The 6 Biggest Ways Wine Will Change in 2025
It’s that time of new year, when I consult my crystal glass to glimpse where the wine world is going next. Some powerful, important trends are still ongoing, some wacky ones are thankfully disappearing, and others are brand-new.
No-alcohol vino will achieve luxury status
In 2024 more top winemakers got into the no-alcohol wine business with premium, better-tasting, more sophisticated bottles, like the $120 French Bloom La Cuvée, a 2022 vintage sparkler crafted by a noted Champagne maker. There’s also the Missing Thorn lineup of alcohol-removed wines from Napa wizard Aaron Pott. Dealcoholization technology is improving, so expect many more good examples to arrive in 2025.
Bordeaux is on trend. Two châteaus on the Right Bank have already released no-alcohol labels and will add more this year; a group of winemakers in the region recently opened a facility to remove alcohol; and November saw the opening of Bordeaux’s first no-alcohol wine shop. Italy is joining in as well, with the agriculture minister signing a law in November greenlighting alcohol-free production.
You’ll be drinking even more white wines, especially chenin blanc and blends
White wines outpaced reds globally last year, and not just sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio. White malbec from Argentina and white pinot noir from Oregon are now a thing.
Other grapes are also in line to gain buzz. For 2025, I’m bullish on under-the-radar dry chenin blanc, which combines sauvignon blanc’s bright, crisp freshness and versatility with chardonnay’s complexity and ageability at a lower price.
Prices of imported wines will go up — or maybe not
Since the US election, the scare buzzword has been “tariffs.” President-elect Donald Trump has threatened a 10% to 20% tariff on all imported goods, which would include many wines we all enjoy.
The tariffs, of course, are paid by American importers when the wines arrive at the port, with the cost passed on to distributors, retailers, restaurateurs and, in the end, wine-loving consumers. That nice little $20 Macon might not look like such a good deal at $25 or more. American wineries would pay more for imported glass bottles and corks, and many would raise prices as a result.
You’ll be drinking more private-label and NDA wines
The Cipriani family hails from northeastern Italy, land of prosecco, and made its name with the historic Bellini cocktail at its famous Harry’s Bar. Now its line of wines under the Cipriani name is arriving in the US.
It’s part of the growing trend of private-label wines in the US as more supermarkets, restaurants, large retail chains, hotels and clubs form partnerships with wineries to create exclusive reds, whites, rosés and sparklers. In 2025, Aldi, Costco, Trader Joe’s and Walmart will have serious competition. Private-label alcohol sales in the US were up 12% in the 52 weeks ended mid-November 2024, which Chicago-based research firm Spins revealed at the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s annual trade show in November.
You’ll head to wineries and wine bars for the lifestyle, not just the wine
Rosé is now a lifestyle as well as what you drink. The 2025 Hospitality Trends Report, from AF & Co. and Carbonate, highlights the ways wineries aim to foster the same vibe for wine in general with new experiences that put casual hanging out with vino ahead of Wine Appreciation 101.
Winery club members may drop in for social hours with snacks in less formal winery and garden spaces. In Sonoma, California, Bella Winery hosted lawn games every weekend during harvest season, while Overshine’s tasting room is stocked with a deep vinyl collection and a listening station. Napa trendsetter Ashes & Diamonds offers access to pools at local resorts and pickup parties.
Wine bottles will go lighter for luxury brands
Thick, superheavy bottles are on their way out as more wineries recognize how bad they are for the environment. The weight of the glass and the cost of transport account for 29% to 50% of a wine’s carbon footprint.
Until now, lighter-weight bottles have mostly been used for inexpensive wines. So it’s a big deal that the 2022 vintage of Bordeaux’s highly rated Château Pontet-Canet will arrive in a 750-milliliter standard bottle that’s 315 grams (0.69 pounds) lighter than in the past, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 39%. Argentina’s Zuccardi is putting all its top wines, including those costing $200 and more, in lighter, 570g bottles (down from 900g) starting with the 2022 vintage.
And, naturally, I still have many questions …
With the rebirth of the American diner, which wines will be on those menus? Will Stella Rosa’s sweet, fruity wine coolers—especially its wildly popular pineapple & chili—have staying power? And will the Finger Lakes become my new favorite wine region to explore?
I’ll be covering all these stories and many more, including the controversy over wine and health research, in 2025.
Conclusion
As we head into 2025, it’s clear that the wine world is poised for significant changes. From the rise of no-alcohol wines to the shift towards lighter, more sustainable packaging, there are plenty of exciting trends to look out for. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of wine, there’s never been a better time to get involved.
FAQs
Q: What is the trend towards no-alcohol wines?
A: Many top winemakers are now creating premium, better-tasting no-alcohol wines, which are expected to become a major player in the market.
Q: Will wine prices go up due to tariffs?
A: Yes, if tariffs are implemented, wine prices could increase significantly, although the exact impact will depend on various factors.
Q: What is the trend towards lighter wine bottles?
A: Wineries are moving towards lighter, more sustainable packaging to reduce their environmental impact.
Q: Will private-label wines continue to grow in popularity?
A: Yes, as more supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels partner with wineries to create exclusive wines, private-label sales are expected to continue growing.
