WINTER 2025 Mid-Western Living | 21 WORDS ON WINE Sip Happens: How to pour wine into the hearts of the next generation? Excluding China, we are now exporting the lowest volume of wine in over 20 years. Along with reduced domestic consumption, wineries are now brimming with excess wine that has no home. My question is, while our industry has been intently focussed on a recent mission to “premiumise”, have we neglected our new and emerging consumers? Also, back in the 2010s, our winemaking attention was mostly diverted to satisfying the endless thirst of Chinese importers for replica “389” styled red wine. Then, suddenly in 2020 things changed - COVID followed by wine tariffs. And when we did look over our shoulder, changing drinking tastes and attitudes of the young had already passed us by. Gen Z would have become legal drinking age from 2015 onwards. They would be 28 now. Traditionally, that’s around the age where young drinkers transition into wine. Without enough engagement from the wine industry to this point, that switch may take a bit longer with the risk of losing the bulk of a generation to pre-mixed flavoured spirits (RTD’s). Millennials and Gen Z seem to want a more simple but authentic experience, less complex terminology and are more drawn to personal connections and values behind the brand such as sustainability, carbon footprints, and ethical practices. The positives are we have shed a lot of the traditional more formal wine culture that can be intimidating. And Australian winemakers are great product innovators when they need to 2024 Front Left Sangiovese Est. in 2024 by Nick Tinant, this ticks the boxes of authenticity, sustainability and drinkability. Small batch winemaking from young enthusiastic minds. Wild yeast, 12 days on skins and 35% whole bunch. Vibrant ruby red with lifted cherry-ripe, sylvanberry and sweet spice. A light-medium bodied palate with fine tannins coated with a cherry/plum juiciness. Delicious slightly chilled Mudgee Nouveau. 12.8% | RRP$30 | frontleftwines.com.au PERFECT SIP Say hello to fun, colourful and eye-catching glassware from Good Day Lifestyle Co. on Perry Street - perfect for enjoying a drop of your favourite Mudgee wine. Winemaker Robert Black has been making wines under the BLACK label since 2013, and he continues to make wine from fruit grown in both the Mudgee and Orange regions. BLACK wines are available online and at Lawson Park Hotel, Oriental Hotel, Paragon Hotel, Woolpack Hotel, Kelly’s, Federal Hotel, Court House Hotel, Post Office Hotel Gulgong, Globe Hotel Rylstone, Kandos IGA and The Small Winemakers Centre SCAN FOR MORE INFO be. The products and formats that will drive the next growth may not even exist on the shelves yet. I was taught by Philip Shaw at Rosemount early in my career that you should invest the most thought and effort into your mainstream wines. These are the wines that are going to be experienced by the majority of your followers and potential consumers. The most satisfying aspect of being a winemaker is seeing a non wine drinker taste your wine and enjoy it. There is nothing wrong with softening tannins and balancing acid with a lick of sugar if it means added approachability and an enjoyable introduction to wine for a new drinker. Below are two local wines made using the same variety in very different styles that will suit new and experienced wine lovers alike. Happy Drinking! 2023 First Ridge Sangiovese Frizzante Situated just south of Mudgee at 520m, the vine age of 25 years is entering prime time. Eye-catching pink/gold with aromas as fresh as strawberry sorbet. On the palate, the fine spritz clings to your tongue with a creamy mouthfeel. A delicate mid-palate with a hint of pomegranate savouriness. A classy introduction to wine for Gen X, Y and Z. 12.5% | RRP $28| firstridge.com.au Sunset Stalk Wine Glasses, Kip & Co, 2 Piece Set, $59. Garden Party Stalk Wine Glasses, Kip & Co, 2 Piece Set, $59.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1