Whether it's wine bars, restaurants, specialist retailers or even supermarkets, there has never been a more exciting time to drink wine.
We’re slowly getting access to an incredible range of styles from all over the world. Re-discovered grape varieties, lesser-known regions, chilled reds, skin contact or volcanic whites. Even Aldi recently released a white Shiraz.
And yet, despite all that choice, it’s easy to end up reaching for the same bottle.
So while the world of wine continues to expand, why do the wines we drink most often remain surprisingly unchanged?
And more importantly, how do we become more confident exploring new wines we’ll actually enjoy?
We provide some guidance, alongside five wine recommendations we think are a must-try.
What Are The Most Popular Wine Styles?
If you look at the UK’s biggest-selling wine styles today, the list is still fairly predictable:
Sauvignon Blanc still dominates UK white wine sales, with Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay close behind. Prosecco remains the UK's most consumed sparkling wine. While Malbec, Merlot, Rioja and Shiraz / Syrah make up the reds.
What’s more surprising is how little that list has changed over the past 20 years.
Yes there have been a few shifts. Malbec has become mainstream, and Prosecco has arguably transformed sparkling wine drinking. Lighter, fresher styles have become more fashionable, while heavier reds have lost some ground.
But the core list remains relatively unchanged, as most often, we stick to the wines we know, and perhaps understand the most.
Why Do Some Wines Feel A Safe Choice?
With an ever-expanding selection, choosing wine can feel more complicated than ever.
More grape varieties. Hundreds of regions. Labels covered in words most people don’t recognise. Faced with all that choice, familiarity is the reassuring factor.
When we order a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, or a Provence rosé - most of us have a clearer sense of expectation. And that confidence is invaluable to the choices we make. The Austrian Blaufrankish or Georgian Saperavi might be becoming more recognisable, but they still feel like more of a risk.
And wine is of course deeply social. How do you make sure the wine you take to dinner is universally enjoyed? Intuitively, picking something recognisable lowers the chances of disappointment. A familiar Malbec feels like a safe bet.
Which may also explain the rapid rise in celebrity endorsed wines. We feel more comfortable buying a Gary Barlow or Kylie labelled bottle because we trust them.
What’s The Downside To Drinking The Same Wines?
There’s nothing inherently wrong with sticking to classic favourites or branded wines either. These wines are popular for a reason.
But over time, familiarity can turn into homogenisation. The sheer number of near-identical pale coloured rosé on supermarket shelves is incredible.
Meanwhile smaller producers and lesser-known styles that genuinely innovate struggle to get noticed. Often, some of the most interesting wines don’t make it beyond specialist wine shops.
These are the memorable wines. The ones that nobody expected.
So What’s The Easiest Way To Discover New Wines?
It’s also true that people are more open to trying new wines than ever before. We’re seeing that with a strong movement towards chilled red wines. With a little guidance and added confidence, there is a general appetite for change.
A simple tip for exploring new wine is to pick a bottle that shares similar characteristics with a wine you love - whether that’s acidity, texture, body, fruit profile or minerality.
Whilst different regions or grapes undoubtedly retain their own unique profile, often, many also share distinct characteristics with wines we know.
Love crisp Sauvignon Blanc? Look for other mineral-driven whites. Prefer fuller-bodied reds? Explore grapes with similar spice and structure.
The idea isn’t to abandon the wines you love. It’s to use them as a starting point.
With that in mind, we’ve picked five classic wine styles you might enjoy, and offer five slightly more adventurous alternatives. Familiarity, with some exploration thrown in.
If You Love Sancerre, Try Pošip
If you love the mineral, citrus-driven freshness of Sancerre, Croatian Pošip is a brilliant alternative.
We found one from the island of Brač, where the stony coastal soils (Stina) give the wine a saline edge, that even inspired the name of the wine.
If You Love Beaujolais, Try Gamza
Beaujolais fans usually love purity of fruit, freshness and drinkability. Which makes Gamza an easy recommendation.
This Bulgarian grape has all the juicy red fruit and lift you’d expect from a great Beaujolais.
We found a single vineyard example with a premium feel yet fantastic value.
If You Love Vintage Champagne, Try Slovenian Sparkling
If you love the richness, brioche notes, and slow-aged complexity of vintage Champagne, Slovenian traditional-method sparkling is a must-try.
Penine Istenic is the producer setting the standard - 4 years bottle ageing before release, developing all the biscuit, toast and texture you’d expect from a far more expensive sparkling wine. And a fantastic conversation starter.
If You Love Vinho Verde, Try Uruguayan Albariño
If crisp, zippy whites are your thing, Uruguay is quietly becoming one of the most exciting cool-climate regions to watch.
Producers like Viña Progreso are making Albariño with all the freshness and energy of Vinho Verde, but with a little more texture and depth. One to please the crowds this summer.
Revolution Albarino by Vina Progreso
If You Love Malbec, Try Saperavi
If you love the dark fruit and smooth texture of Malbec, Georgia’s flagship grape Saperavi should absolutely be on your radar.
Our pick from Kakheti is packed with black plum, cacao and spice, with enough structure to keep things interesting.
Pick an Alternative To Your Favourite Wine
Exploring wine doesn’t have to mean diving headfirst into the unknown.
In our experience, the best discoveries usually happen one step away from something you already love. That’s where wine starts to get really exciting.
Our recent members box, ‘Classic Alternatives', featured each of the wines above, and is now available to buy online now as a one-off curated case online.
'Classic Alternatives' Curated Wine Selection
At Wildcase, we work with independent producers to help people discover wines with real character.
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