All the wines in the world can be considered unique in their own way. However, there is one factor they all tend to have in common: location. A vast majority of wines are produced between climates of 30 and 50-degrees Fahrenheit. The entire process is a balancing act. If temperatures become too hot or too cold the entire vine can completely shut down. Due to climate change, specific regions are beginning to shift. The effects of climate change are causing those ideal conditions to move further north and south. This does not mean your customer’s favorite wines are on the verge of disappearing forever. Winemakers just need to make some changes to adapt to the rising global temperatures. However, this also gives the chance for wine from new regions to emerge. Here are the eight you will want to watch out for.
Belgium
Beer might be the first drink that comes to mind when you think of Belgium. So it might surprise you to hear that Belgian wine production has quadrupled in the last few years. With cooler temps, they were limited to simple and lightweight white wines. Now with the warming weather, they are able to create more complex and richer products. Currently, 90% of Belgium’s wines are Chardonnay. Yet, their style offerings could be making a bigger impact in the wine industry in the future.
China
Even though grapes have been produced in China since the Han Dynasty it has never really been a part of the culture until recently. There has been a dramatic shift of consumers being interested in the educational aspects of wine as well as wealthy connoisseurs who are looking to expand their collection. But the country is not just interested in drinking wine anymore, they want to produce it as well. China is now the second-largest grape grower and the seventh-largest producer of wine worldwide. The rising temperatures in the region are allowing them to produce cutting-edge technologies. From Cabernet Sauvignon to critically acclaimed Merlots, China is making a stronger move to become one of the top competitors in the wine market.
Ireland
You aren’t going to see Irish wine all over the world any time soon, but some winemakers are exploring Ireland’s viticultural potential. Currently, Ireland’s climate is known for being damp and cold. However, the region is expected to have ideal conditions for producing wine by 2050. Some producers started ahead of the game back in 2002 and their production is showing promise.
Netherlands
Wine production in this region dates back to ancient Rome. Modern winemaking took root and grew rapidly from the start. Due to the Netherlands’ strong ties to South Africa, the Dutch wine market has always been a thriving industry. Climate change has given the region the opportunity to have a more hands-on approach. Multiple vineyards have begun cultivating more cold-hardy grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling.
Poland
During medieval times, Poland was known for its rich wine culture, especially among the country’s wealthy. Picture warm and sunny temperatures for easy ripening but cool enough to produce crisp wines. Over time the region’s ability to produce wine fell out of favor. Worsening weather conditions for one, but also because of political challenges when it came to importing wine. Now, another shift in the weather is giving Poland another chance to be a major leader in wine production.
As a liquor store owner, it’s important to keep up with industry trends, shifts, and movements. With CobaltConnect you are able to keep up with the ever-changing industry. Add new products into your inventory in seconds. Interested in seeing all the CobaltConnect system has to offer? Reach out to the team. We’d be happy to give you a demo to show you how CobaltConnect can help innovate your liquor store.
