While we would never go as far as to follow the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) movement, it appears that more white wines with higher acidity, more minerality, and little-to-no oak influence are steadily gaining in popularity.  We believe that wine drinkers will continue in this direction in 2012, and that we will see Spanish whites such as Albarino, Verdejo, and Godello continue to gain in recognition, and for the sales of remarkable German Riesling to finally catch up with their legendary reputation.

Louro do Bolo 2010 Godello -91 Points Wine Advocate

Prum Badstube 2008 Kabinett Riesling -91 Points Wine Advocate

Last year we predicted that Portuguese wines would finally get the attention they deserve in 2011, and we couldn’t have been more on the money.  While wine drinkers finally caught on to these uniquely delicious and fruit forward wines, we predict that we’ve only scratched the surface.  Relatively speaking, there are still not that many Portuguese wines on the market, and that while 2011 was the year that many curious wine drinkers were introduced, 2012 will be the year that many more Portuguese wines become available, and become a part of an everyday wine drinker’s regular rotation.

Quinta de la Rosa 2007 Douro Tinto -88 Points Wine Advocate

Quinta do Feitel  "Auratus" 2010 Alvarinho-Trajadura

In 2011 we began to see several Finger Lakes wineries release single-vineyard Riesling bottlings.  As a small percentage of the region’s grape growers start to focus on top-quality vineyard sites and production methods, we are going to see a step up in quality from a select group of forward-thinking wineries.  In the end, we are going to begin to see a divide between what Finger Lakes Riesling has been, and what it can potentially be in the future.  There is a long way to go, but 2012 is going to show a lot of progress quality-wise in the region, despite the difficult 2011 harvest.

Ravines Argetsinger Vineyard 2009 Dry Riesling

Australia is going to make gains in its slow climb back from the brink, with region-specific wines, such as Riesling from the Clare Valley, taking the lead.  We are going to see more Shiraz made in a less high-alcohol, flashy style, and more refined winemaking across the board.

Diddley Bow 2009 Riesling -90 Points Wine Advocate

Chateau Chateau 2007 Grenache -92 Points Wine Advocate

Finally, we are going to see the recognition of quality wines form Greece.  Not yet an explosion in sales and popularity, but wine drinkers are going to finally dip their toes into the hard-to-pronounce world of Greek assyrtiko, xinomavro, moschofilero, and mavrodaphne.  A complicated to pronounce wine does not have to be complicated to drink, and wine drinkers are going to start appreciating the sheer drink-ability of Greece’s refreshingly crisp whites and elegant, bright, Mediterranean reds.

Argyros Atlantis 2008 Red

Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko 2010 White -91 Points Wine Spectator

Below each of our predictions you will find a couple wines from that category that we think will be on the rise in 2012!