At the end of the year everyone makes a balance of what happened in the period, in order to evaluate the achievement of the objectives proposed at the beginning, but also to think about what is to come. And although the Argentina It is a difficult country for planning any company, life goes on and so does wine. That is why the outstanding wines of the year allow us to trace trends and understand what will be taken in 2023.
Analyzing the international context, the Argentine wine He is no stranger to the progress of the country, even though in the last two decades he has confirmed its rise and evolution in all its aspects. But looking more closely at the performance in 2022, the numbers are starker than they seem. However the national wine He got here going through cycles of various kinds. For example, in 2021 after post recovery covidworld wine trade reached its highest historical levels in volume, price and turnover.
On the one hand, volume growth was smooth, while price growth was in line with premiumization, export profitability was driven by margins rather than economies of scale. In other words, quality before quantity. This encouraged all producing countries to expand, leading to increased competitive rivalry. Thus, the structural trends of the world wine market indicate that only countries with strong competitive advantages will be able to expand in the future.
It should be noted that in 2019 and 2020, Argentina was able to increase its export volume while the world fell due to the shipment of low-priced bulk wines given the large stock of stocks it had accumulated after years of falling domestic consumption. This was also favored by the good exchange rate thanks to the strong devaluation of the peso in 2018. But it was in 2017 that the maximum historical level in average price for all wines, to drop considerably until 2020. With an exchange rate that was no longer so favorable and with low stocks, it could not maintain this policy and prices grew again.
This year that culminates, according to the analyst Javier Merino from Wine Areathe volume will drop a 16.8%, but the value will show an increment of 32.4%. In addition, in the last year, the growth in turnover comes hand in hand with bottled wines, which are the ones that generate the most margin. But unfortunately, Argentine wines have lost a quarter of their share in the last decade in world markets of wine, clearly demonstrating the competitive difficulties that the local industry has had, because in that decade the trade expanded in terms of sales and Argentine wines could not even follow this trend. But not because of the quality of the wines or the lack of diversity, but because of the influence of the competitiveness of the country responsible for deteriorating the performance of the wines.
Conclusion, the competitiveness of the Argentine economy is the main limitation for the expansion of the wine business, which has grown thanks to a large number of its own attributes, but which has a considerable barrier from its environment. Luckily, the image of the wines is an intangible of great differential value, being the result of the work of the wineries and the promotional funds of the countries. This means that if the country stabilizes economically, it can take advantage of the momentum achieved by winning the World Cup, and thus 2023 can mark the beginning of the international consecration of Argentine wine.
The 10 trends that mark the coming Argentine wines
Beyond the numbers, nothing stops Argentine wine, because its quality continues to improve even though various aspects of the business have not had a good year. And this is key to the sustainability of its growth, because without quality there is no possible future. While with good wines and a wide offer, opportunities will always arise. You just have to be patient and wait for the environment variables to help.
1- Malbec
In terms of trends, the Malbec will always be in the first place. Not only because it is the most produced wine, but also because it is the one that continues to lead the way in quality and the evolution. Once again obtaining several 100 points from the international press, it has already established itself as the best Argentine wine in the world, and the best worldwide exponent of the varietal. Any consumer who thinks of Malbec first thinks of Argentina. This implies that although the country is not a category, such as France and its regions, Italy or Spain, managing to occupy a place of recognition is already an achievement, even if it is through a varietal.
What is the virtue of this Argentine red?: its diversity. Because wines continue to arrive in all quality segments and styles, but also in types of wines. Of course, its strength is in reds, but there are also rosés, sparkling, sweet and even Malbec vinified in white. But what most differentiates a wine is its origin, because everything else can be emulated (yield, handling, harvest point, production, aging, etc.). There, too, Malbec is consecrated as the best Y the fastest growing.
2- Malbec from extreme zones
This is reflected in the emergence of new Malbec from extreme zonesboth from the NOA, such as Cachi or La Quebrada de Humahuaca.
3- Malbec from traditional areas
But they also consolidate Malbec from traditional areas Mendoza such as Agrelo, San Rafael and Valle de Uco, which continues to be the great factory for Malbec.
4- White wines
The white wines not only do they maintain their growing trend, but it seems that they are going to continue multiplying. And this has to do with two fundamental factors. On the one hand, the best management in the vineyard and winery allow for better wines, but also the consumer increasingly seeks more fresh wines because eating habits are expanding, incorporating more fish and seafood into their diets. Here everything goes in terms of grapes and regions, they can be wines based on Malvasia, Riesling or the classic Semillon.
Obviously the Torrontes It’s always news, this time from Catamarca. But the target that sets the course is still the chardonnaythe protagonist of the most expensive wines in the world, and that, in Argentina, more specifically in Gualtallary, seems to have found a place where it can reach fullness and be able to compete on an equal footing with the best labels in France, the United States, Chile , etc.
5- Cabernet Franc
Another red wine that has consolidated over the years is the Cabernet Francdriven fundamentally by those who do Alejandro Vigil (winemaker of Catena Zapata Y aleanna), who has once again achieved 100 points with his Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard 2019 from Gualtallary. This milestone continues to open the game so that new exponents continue to appear, mainly from Valle de Uco.
6- Other reds
but there is other reds to come, because in Argentina diversity is one of the most important differential advantages that wine has. There are the usual classics like the Cabernet Sauvignonthe Merlot and the pinot noir that are revived by the hand of new exponents or are consolidated with the new vintages of already recognized labels. The Tannat de Salta that continues advancing at a steady pace, and the Argentinian Bonarda which, supported by its status as a local grape, remains one of the most attractive options for the consumer, including some young exponents from San Rafael that surprise with their different character.
7- Red Blend
For their part, the Red Blend They found their place, they are modern wines with a balanced drink that offer diverse sensations, either due to their original varietal composition or their origin.
8- Saved wines
But wine is a classic drink and that is why the most traditional oenophiles will always have wine labels. saved wines by hand, wines that remain current thanks to the fact that the passage of time has refined them and gives them a series of tertiary aromas and flavors that are not found in other types of wines. And finally, there are several new aspects of wine that are gradually gaining more followers.
9- Low alcohol content wines
Recent studies indicate that consumer preference for healthy foods is increasing year after year. As part of this trend, the category of low alcohol content wines has been recording strong sales growth.
As part of the global trend linked to moving towards a better quality of life, consumers have developed a greater awareness of alcoholic beverages that are expressed in healthy habits, responsible consumption, moderation, sports and conscious eating.
10- Natural wines
In the same vein are the natural wines, which are those in which there is less intervention and to which sulfites are not added. And within this framework you can include wines that go further and are linked to actions of sustainability and care for the environment.
