What's trending in 2025 - Wine Industry Edition

We’re already a month into the new year aaaah! As February brings the delights of the complicated and tedious new duty changes, we wanted to look further ahead at what trends are predicted for the industry in 2025.

Socially Conscious Drinking

Think along the lines of more organic and biodynamic wines. This plays into the natural wine movement or ‘natty wine’ if you’re one of the cool kids. People are on the look out for more sustainable options, focusing on; organic, biodynamic and regenerative viticulture methods. There are so many brilliant producers adopting these methods or have been using them for years and years such as Waterkloof Estate who were pioneers in organic wine production in South Africa. This prediction gets a big thumbs up from me – just please don’t be put off by the term natural wine. There are some brilliant more accessible ‘mainstream’ wines that are also super sustainable and low intervention!

Rise of NOLO

NOLO, which if you aren’t familiar with this acronym stands for, no and low alcohol drinks. There has been a noticeable uptake in how many people are reaching for lower alcohol drinks (that isn’t just lemonade). People are being more considered and moderating their drinking choices, especially the younger generation of drinkers, which will continue well into this year and not exclusively for the marketing ploys of Sober October and Dry January. However, whilst I have been known to enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage when taking it easy or being the designated driver, I do not get excited by a glass of NOLO wine (which I personally feel are not quite up to it at the minute). Instead, give me a glass of Botivo any day of the week, a brilliant non-alcoholic vermouth style aperitif. And if you’re not quite ready to make the jump into NO, some delicious German Rieslings can almost be classed as LO siting around the 8% ABV mark. I am certain we will find lots more entrants into the NOLO wine market this year.

Different Regions

The 2024 Golden Vines Report, which is an industry report identifying ‘key micro and macro trends that are likely to shape the global fine wine market’ have predicted that the region most on the up for 2025 will be Piedmont. This is music to our ears as we love all things Italian and have championed Piedmont since we first opened. You may recognise Gavi and Barolo from the region, but have you tried Dolcetto d’Alba, Barbera, Arneis Blanco or even a Moscato (elegantly sweet, lightly sparkling and at 5% ABV = NOLO)? When I am asked the inevitable, and obviously unfair question 'What is your favourite wine?' I am happy to share my enthusiasm for the Piedmont region and more often than not I find myself answering 'Nebbiolo'. 

What will members of the F&F team be drinking?

We’ve touched on predicted trends across the industry, but after a quick chat with some of the team, I thought I'd give an insight into what 'F&F' will be drinking in 2025. Some of us are fickle, so it's likely to change by the time March rolls round...

Hugo – Is in his Diploma era. Lots of studying and lots of tasting. He will be drinking more of the Noble wine varieties; think Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc etc from all around the world.

Leo – As a whisky and bourbon aficionado Leo is wanting to delve into the world of rum. Rum on its own, rum in a cocktail, rum from around the world, he’ll report on his favourites.

Cathryn – Is dispelling the myth that ‘pale rosés are the best’ and thus will be trying a plethora of shades of rosé wine starting with Greece. Rosé has often been considered second fiddle to red and white wine, stick a few ice cubes in the glass and enjoy in the sun kind of wine, nothing too serious. However, there are some brilliant, complex, small volume rosés being made and note they are not from Provence!

Will – Who is our newest recruit into the wine world, having taken a sidestep from working the bar scene, is looking to focus on ‘Old World’ wines. As we know, often the labels and descriptions are more straightforward for New World countries such as New Zealand and Australia. So, time to broaden his horizons – make sure to check he is sticking to this when you pop into the shop. 

Peter – is heading to Northern Spain. We work with some fantastic producers from Spain but he’s on the lookout for more. It sounds like an excuse to go on another buying trip…

Michelle – As per the previous blog on Tom William’s – Ô Ma Bourgonge – wine, Michelle didn’t get chance to taste his wines at our tasting so she will be pouring a glass of Aligote from Burgundy.

As for me, I am always on the lookout for tasting new wines and learning new things! I find lots of inspiration from trips away and last year I started to try more vermouths as a result of a trip to the Basque. So, I am thinking more vermouth, more white port and tonic (and sherry and tonic), although maybe as I write this I am just wishing for the sun, warmer weather and a cold drink in hand… Heading to Paris soon so after eating and drinking around the city I am certain I’ll have some new inspiration.