WASHINGTON — A new year brings new trends — even when it comes to wine. And 2018 has plenty to offer for the oenophile.
Master Sommelier Emily Wines (talk about destiny with that last name), one of 149 professionals in the U.S. with the prestigious title, shared some insight on what consumers can expect to see in the glass and on the shelves this year.
Chill out with something other than white wine There’s no doubt about it: Rosé is here to stay. Sales of the pink wine climbed 53 percent in 2017, and Wines does not expect to see them slow. But she does anticipate more chilled red wines in the coming year. “Think about what’s delicious about rosé, but imagine it a little more intense in flavor,” said Wines, who is also the vice president of wine and beverage at Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant. Chilling red wine works best with lighter varietals, such as gamay and pinot noir. For optimal results, leave the bottle in the refrigerator overnight and pull it out about 30 minutes before serving. “You let it warm up just a little bit, you can taste all the fruit, but it still has that real nice refreshing chill to it,” Wines said.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Lambrusco sparkles The sweet, cheap sparkling wine that climbed to fame in the 1970s and ‘80s has had a major makeover. These days, producers are making drier styles of lambrusco, ranging in color from pale pink to deep red. Wines said lambrusco — which can carry sour flavors, especially among the drier styles — differs from other sparkling wines, which are lighter and crisper. Give it a try when the warmer weather rolls around. Wines calls lambrusco the perfect summer wine.
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Getty Images
Natural wines “Pét-Nat is the thing that a lot of sommeliers are talking about these days,” Wines said. Short for Pétillant Naturel, these wines go through a second fermentation in the bottle, yielding a product that’s “sort of fizzy” and has “a wild, yeasty flavor to them.” Wines explained the name, “natural wine,” refers to the winemaking process. “You’re not using sulfur — you’re letting the wine do what it will naturally, as opposed to guiding it into a style that you want,” she said. More wine bars and restaurants are including natural wines on their lists, but don’t be surprised if it takes you a few tries to find one you love. “The risk with natural wine is that sometimes they can be really oxidative, or they can give you some really funky off-flavors, and then the good side is that when they’re on, they’re really great.”
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
The new reigning regions For the up-and-coming region of 2018, Wines said Greece is her top pick. “There are some great values, really delicious white wines in particular,” she said. Wines coming from the south of Italy are also on the rise.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
Budget wines There’s no need to break the bank for a decent bottle of wine. Wines said you can even find something enjoyable for about $5 — although, she recommends going for white over red at that price point. “Something like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc that’s not meant to be oak-aged — those are really simple, fresh wines and they can be delicious at the really low end,” she said. “I always say that there are thinking wines and there are drinking wines. And some wines, you just want to knock back and enjoy and not have to think about them too hard.” It’s comforting to know you don’t need to spend $30 to do just that.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
The future is fruit? No, fruit wine is not sangria: It’s wine made from fruit other than grapes, such as apples, raspberries and cherries. (Cooper’s Hawk even makes a rhubarb wine.)“And they really taste like the fruit they’re made from,” Wines said. Traditionally unique to the northern states where grape production is limited, fruit wine’s popularity is expanding throughout the U.S. In the summer, enjoy a glass with a little club soda to make a refreshing spritzer.
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