Well, here we are again folks: Another new year and another new decade. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than making a few wine predictions aimed at the next 12 months.
My crystal ball says that the popularity of Argentina will continue this year. The red malbec grape will still reign supreme, but I expect torrontés (a spicy white grown in the country’s northern vineyards) to rock your world. Viognier (another pepper white grape) will also get its well-deserved due with wines like Chile’s Cono Sur 2008 Viognier ($9.95 - $11.99) offering fresh, floral aromas and soft, leachy-like flavours that work great with food.
Over to red, shiraz (yes, shiraz) will make waves with its international personality thanks to great new wines from Argentina, Chile, Canada, France and South Africa loosening Australia’s grip on the grape.
Though there aren’t too many undiscovered countries left to, well, discover; Portugal will rule 2010 with non-fortified wines such as José Maria da Fonseca’s 2006 Periquita ($7.95 - $11.49).
Cheap and layered with savoury wild berry fruit, it’s a grill-friendly red that only hints at the variety of wines the Portuguese have to offer.
– Peter Rockwell is the everyman’s wine writer, working in the liquor industry for more than 25 years and travelling the globe looking for something to fill his glass and put into words.
