KEY POINTS:
Sommelier bees sniffing out corked wine, climate change allowing British bubbly to compete with Champagne and China emerging as the world's largest wine producer - these are all things we may well see in 50 years time, according to a recent report, The Future of Wine.
Researched by UK wine merchants, Berry Brothers and Rudd, it predicts that with cheap labour, suitable soils and soaring domestic demand, China could take the world of wine by storm not only at the cheap end of the market but with fine wines too.
"I absolutely think China will be a fine wine player rivalling the best wines from France," says Berry Bros Rudd's Jasper Morris MW. "It is entirely conceivable that, in such a vast country, there will be pockets of land with a terroir and micro-climate well suited to the production of top quality wines."
According to the report, if global warming persists, many parts of a massive country like Canada, previously too cold for wine production, could start making wine. Other countries with small or non-existent production, such as Ukraine, Moldova and even Poland, could become major players.
Warmer temperatures will mean more of Britain will be suitable for grape-growing, with forecasts that the volumes of wine could be on a par with those of France. Champagne had better watch out, too, as Britain's sparkling wine may come to rival France's top fizz, with Champagne houses already scoping out sites in southern England.
It suggests Australia will become too hot and arid to support volume wines and will have to concentrate on higher quality boutique production from its cooler regions. But then regionality could be a thing of the past in everyday wines at least, with the depressing rise of Big Brand Booze: wines made from grapes gathered from across the world and sold on brand name not place.
To cut costs, waste and to limit the environmental impact of shipping wines around the globe, glass bottles could be ousted in favour of lighter plastic or reinforced cardboard containers. Screwcaps or new man-made closures will rule the world by 2058. "It is inconceivable we will still be using cork in 50 years time - except for perhaps 1 or 2 per cent of very fine wines," according to report contributor, Alun Griffiths MW.
These new closures might even talk to you, advising on a wine's style or condition via a chip full of data, and safeguarding the problem of fake bottles plaguing the investment market.
The report suggests rising global demand for the world's great wines will push their prices to levels that will make them the preserve of the mega rich.
And what of those sommelier bees? It's recently been discovered that honeybees have a finely developed sense of smell that could be harnessed using software to recognise odours like corked wine. They could become an indispensable companion to the wine waiter - that's only if super closures mean there's any tainted wine left to sniff out by 2058.
Reds to relish
Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2006 $35.95
The inaugural Reserve syrah release from Church Road is a stunner with its plush dark plum fruit, sweet nutmeg and cinnamon spice, lifted florals and pinch of black pepper.
(From First Glass, La Barrique, Wine Direct, Lovrich, Fine Wine Delivery Company.)
Heartland Langhorne & Limestone Creek Shiraz, Australia 2006 $24.99
Talented winemaker Ben Glaetzer is making some impressive wines which harness rich Aussie fruit while retaining real balance and elegance, like this fresh and velvety boysenberry-packed shiraz with its notes of incense spice and attractive earthy undercurrent.
(From Caro's.)
Spring Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2006 $12.95
This light and juicy cherry fruited pinot with its notes of marzipan, spicy rum truffle, oak and floral hints is the secret second label of a respected Marlborough winery. A cut-price pinot with some class.
(From www.blackmarket.co.nz.)
