Wine in 2024: A Year of Challenge and Innovation, with a Look Ahead to 2025

A belated Happy New Year to you!
This week has been the first time that I’ve sat at my desk, for more than a few minutes, since the middle of November. A combination of December being our busiest month ever (thank you very much for your continued patronage) and staffing issues has meant that I’ve been helping in the warehouse, picking, packing and processing.
Despite it feeling a bit fraught and almost overwhelming at times, our fantastic team meant that we got almost all our orders out on time (apologies if yours was one of the few that we didn’t) and even managed to keep our good humour and civility.
Hurrah!
Each January I like to have a look back at last years “World of Wine” and also do some research into what delights we have to look forward to in the coming year.
Personally, I have already had a major 2025 highlight.
Last Saturday evening, Em and I ventured from deepest, darkest Surrey up to London, to go for dinner at SOLA in Soho. We had been very impressed by chef Victor Garvey when we saw him on MasterChef: The Professionals, and so booked it as a post-Christmas treat.
It didn’t disappoint!
Described as “High-end, inventive Californian cuisine in refined surroundings where SOho meets LA, hence the name,” it was everything you could want from a Michelin starred restaurant, great ambiance, excellent staff, a superb sommelier (sorry, I can’t remember his name, he obviously did his job a little too well!) and a tasting menu, with paired wines, that started off delicious and just kept getting better and better.
Thoroughly recommended.
Okay, enough of my misty-eyed reminiscences, on to the job in hand.
2024 was a year of big changes in wine. While winemakers tackled tough weather conditions, they also found new ways to adapt and improve.
We saw exciting developments everywhere, from the heat-stressed vineyards of Greece to England's increasingly successful wine regions, challenging what we thought we knew about where great wine can be made.
Climate Impact and Adaptation
The 2024 growing season proved particularly challenging across Europe's traditional wine regions. Early spring frosts in Champagne and Burgundy, followed by intense summer heat waves across southern Europe, resulted in lower yields, but often exceptional quality.
Meanwhile, Italy’s Prosecco region grappled with heavy rains that threatened grape quality.
In Rioja and Ribera del Duero, producers faced their most challenging harvest in recent memory, leading to concentrated wines that promise remarkable aging potential.
These disruptions highlighted the urgent need for sustainable practices and climate-resilient grape varieties.
English wine, however, continued its impressive upward trajectory. Warmer conditions benefited producers in Sussex and Kent, with estates like Nyetimber and Chapel Down reporting outstanding harvests.
The, multi award winning, Chapel Down Kit's Coty Chardonnay demonstrates the remarkable evolution of English still wines, showing ripeness levels that would have seemed impossible a decade ago.
Market Evolution and Consumer Trends
The Rise of Alternative Wines
Consumer interest in low-alcohol, no-alcohol, and natural wines surged in 2024. Organic certifications became a significant selling point, with UK retailers expanding their ranges of biodynamic and minimal-intervention wines.
Pet-Nat (Pétillant Naturel, which means 'natural sparkling' in French, and is the oldest method of making sparkling wine) and orange wines gained further popularity, appealing to younger demographics keen on authenticity and sustainability.
Economic Pressures on Producers and Consumers
The economic uncertainty of 2024, driven by inflation and cost-of-living concerns, affected wine pricing. Many UK consumers turned to affordable yet high-quality options from lesser-known regions like Moldova, Bulgaria, and Portugal, and it also drove innovation in value-focused premium wines.
Notable discoveries, for me, include:
- Portuguese wines from Alentejo and Dao.
- Croatian and Slovenian wines, particularly from Brda and Istria.
- Premium bag-in-box wines from established producers.
- Greek wines, with Assyrtiko from Santorini and Vidiano from Crete leading the charge.
Technology in Winemaking
2024 saw significant advancements in winemaking technology. AI-powered tools were increasingly used for vineyard management, from predicting disease outbreaks to optimising harvest times.
Here in the UK, urban wineries embraced technology to produce high-quality wines in non-traditional settings.
Looking Ahead: 2025 Predictions
Emerging Regions
Eastern European wines are poised for significant growth in the UK market. Slovenia's Marjan Simčič and Croatia's Saints Hills represent the quality potential of these regions, offering both value and distinctive character through indigenous varieties.
English Sparkling Wine on the Rise
English sparkling wine continues to cement its reputation as a world-class product.
With climate change making southern England’s terroir more suitable for grape cultivation, we can expect a rise in exports and accolades.
Producers Nyetimber and Chapel Down are both set to expand their operations in 2025.
Climate Adaptation Strategies
2025 will likely see increased investment in climate adaptation:
- Expansion of high-altitude vineyards.
- Implementation of drought-resistant varieties.
- Advanced canopy management techniques, to protect vines from the sun.
- Further growth in English wine production.
Sustainability will remain a key focus in 2025. Look for more wineries adopting carbon-neutral practices, using lightweight glass bottles, and implementing regenerative agriculture.
Market Evolution
Premium boxed wine will continue its expansion, with several high-quality producers (especially When in Rome) entering this format.
Alternative packaging solutions, including flat bottles and recycled materials, will gain prominence as consumer sustainability concerns drive innovation.
More Expected Trends for 2025
The market is predicted to evolve with:
- Growth in lower alcohol alternatives (under 10% ABV).
- Increased interest in Asian wines, particularly Japanese Koshu.
- The revival of fortified wines. Port, Sherry, and Madeira are experiencing a renaissance, particularly among younger audiences. This trend is expected to continue into 2025, with creative cocktail applications and modern branding making these traditional wines more accessible. Think David Beckham and Haig Whisky.
- Increased focus on wine education and digital learning platforms.
Looking Ahead
Despite, or rather because of, all the challenges, wine keeps getting more interesting.
Yes, climate change is a huge issue, (the recent, and ongoing fires in California, whilst further south than the main wine growing regions, will undoubtedly have an impact for years to come) but it's pushing people to try new things and explore different regions.
So, whether you're interested in traditional wines or curious about new styles, 2025 looks set to be an exciting year for wine lovers.
The best news?
Good wine doesn't have to cost a fortune - there's something out there for every palate and budget.
I’ll drink to that!