Rosettes and sparkling wines are the only wine segments that are growing sustainably. In 2012, Bubbles sold 26 billion Swiss francs worldwide, while the current figure is 33. In fact, it should be 47 billion three years from now. It has almost doubled in 13 years. This is a crazy projection. And an incredibly good perspective!
Italy crosses billion mark
Currently, 20 million hectoliters of sparkling wine are produced. That’s 2.66 billion bottles and 7 percent of world wine production. The trend is here too: rising! The largest producer is still France, but just ahead of Italy, as Prosecco production is only slightly below the production of champagne. The troubled Frenchman was utterly insane in 2021: 627 million bottles of Prosecco were produced, but only 320 million bottles of champagne. Even sparkling wine production (mostly from Germany) was higher at 414 million. And if you add all types of sparkling wine together, Italy even broke the billion mark for the first time this year.
Champagne is getting scarce
Champagne at the end? Not at all! Although demand for champagne came to a standstill in a very short time after the outbreak of the pandemic, many saw the bankrupt vulture swirling over the famous sparkling wine producers. And as demand increased, it was followed by the quantitative bankruptcy year 2021. Champagne became scarce at a record rate. But not just because of smaller production. But above all because of the booming demand.
“The crisis is spreading: war, lack of energy, inflation. Instead of hoarding savings, Fabrice Rosset, managing director of the Deutz champagne house at specialist magazine VINUM, says to himself: “I’ll treat myself to something very special while I can”. And usually within your own four walls. And then it’s not just a simple brut, it’s an expensive custom cuvé you can’t afford at the restaurant. are consumed.
Global warming is also a blessing
Champagne is more popular than ever. Also as good as ever. Quality has made quantum leaps over the past two decades. It’s also thanks to global warming, which is also good for the region’s rather cold climate. Of course, major droughts are never good. But there are hardly any really bad years anymore. 2011 was a year, followed by nine strong years, and by mid-2021 another famine year was just around the corner. This means: Many companies, including very large companies, are starting to focus very seriously on sustainability. Crop protection has become easier and therefore eco-friendly cultivation is no longer an incalculable risk and a playground for grape druids.
Swiss balloon lovers
And where is Switzerland in this? First of all, we are excellent sparkling wine drinkers. We consume 0.18 million hectoliters per year in the same way as Austria and therefore we are in ninth place in the world. Meanwhile, the Germans are clearly first with 3.1 million, followed by France and a country that I will not name here. For political reasons.
No one drinks Franciacorta more than we do.
When it comes to Champagne, Switzerland is in eighth place, but relatively behind the Germans in fourth place. As with all wine regions, Switzerland is on top when it comes to expensive wines! We’re also on top when it comes to consuming the (usually) expensive Franciacorta: 500,000 bottles are shipped to Switzerland each year. That’s 200,000 more than the second-placed United States.
Cave du Tunnel number one
And Swiss sparkling wines? They continue to improve. Following the French trend towards wine champagne, many vintners have made it their business to produce a sparkling wine that approaches fine champagne. Switzerland’s number one is the charismatic wine expert Bruno Geiger, who has been in this business for 37 years (!) and the Valais house of Conthey, Jacques Germanier Cave du Tunnel. As early as 1989, the first tunnels to store bottles were dug into the mountain. The winery has won the Grand Prix du Vin Suisse category for the fourth time in a row. An incredible performance that represents the highest level of consistency.
Winemaker sparkling wines are getting better and better
But even the best tubs from the traditional Mauler house in Neuchâtel, Môtiers, which was founded in 1829 and specializes in frothers, can easily be compared to bubbles from famous countries abroad. And of course the best wines from vineyards who (as well) dedicate their hearts and souls to sparkling wine, such as Adank and Obrecht from Bündner Herrschaft, Cruchon in Vaud or Bouvet-Jabloir on Lake Neuchâtel.
Wanted? Then immediately uncork a bottle! Just: which one? We help. Here is my list of the most exciting, sparkling and best sparkling wines I’ve come across in 2022. Enjoy!