As an online wine shop and wine club built around discovery, we keep a close eye on the latest wine trends. What wines are people drinking more of? And what new wines are people most excited about?
We spoke to a number of experts across the industry - from independent producers to UK wine buyers - to help us (and you) understand what wine we’ll be buying and drinking more of this year.
This guide is written for curious wine drinkers. Whether you buy wine online, or simply love discovering quality new wines, here’s what you need to know about the world of wine in 2026.
What do experts think will be the wine trends in 2026?
The biggest consensus from industry experts is that 2026 means forgetting the rules. Wine this year will be lighter, fresher and a lot more relaxed. And that’s because we’re looking for bottles that feel modern, approachable and genuinely interesting - chilled reds, lower alcohol styles, minimal intervention wines and bottles from exciting new places. Wine drinkers are becoming more adventurous than ever before, whilst prioritising quality and a genuine experience over quantity.
So what wine should we look out for most this year?
1. Discover New Grapes and Emerging Wine Regions
Classic regions still have their place of course. But many drinkers are looking further afield, recognising the quality coming from emerging regions. Innovative winemakers are often producing wines that feel fresher and more affordable, with styles better suited to modern tastes.
Why Discoverability Beats Familiarity for Many Wine Drinkers?
Indigenous varieties also provide a new experience. Alexandra Badoi, from Greek specialist Maltby and Greek, explains how local varieties like Assyrtiko and Xinomavro tick all the boxes - “offering freshness, lower alcohol, and food-friendly styles that resonate with modern drinking habits”.
Georgi Panayotov from the Jolly Merchants, a specialist in Eastern European regions, agrees. “More indigenous grapes are shaped for the contemporary palate - transparent in style and confidently indigenous”.
For adventurous wine drinkers looking to discover new, quality wines, this is where the excitement really is. Look out for even more emerging regions this year, including wine from Slovenia, Canada, and Uruguay.
2. Lower Alcohol, Higher Expectations
In 2026, lower alcohol wine is moving firmly into the mainstream, driven by changing drinking habits, and supported by a quality over quantity approach.
The Rise of Lighter, Fresher Wine Styles
Consumer trends for lighter, fresher wines are at least partially supported by new tax incentives for lower ABV wine production. But the big evolution in 2026 is likely to be the quality of these wines. Experts, including Dan Belmont from Good Wine Good People, agrees we’ll continue to drink less, but better this year - prioritising more meaningful experiences. So whether it's no, or low alcohol wine, quality is becoming a non-negotiable factor.
Winemakers that deliver a premium product, alongside fresh, drinkable and more approachable styles will stand out. George Doyle from Indigo wines suggests this could be the year that non alcoholic wine becomes mainstream in restaurants. Can wines that feel lighter on their feet work better with food, and suit the way people want to drink?
For online wine buyers looking for contemporary styles that don’t compromise on flavour, the choices are ever expanding.
3. Minimal Intervention, More Refined
Minimal intervention wine isn’t going anywhere. It’s a style that appeals to wine drinkers looking for unique, yet accessible wine. But this year it will continue to get more refined.
Why Will Natural Wine Continue to Evolve?
As Roland Szimeiszter from Roland Wines, a natural wine specialist, comments, “people are being more thoughtful about what they open”. So minimal intervention wines that deliver precision and balance are likely to rise in stature.
These wines are often produced by independent wineries with richer stories, another aspect of winemaking that continues to grow in importance. And natural wine producers that back up their narrative with excellent wine will be the ones to excel in 2026.
4. Chilled Reds, Sparkling Reds, Lighter Reds
The idea that red wine has to be big and bold is officially outdated. Chilled reds, lightly sparkling reds (including red Pet Nats), and fresher, cool-fruited styles are fast becoming the norm on good wine lists. And for good reason. They’re easy to drink, full of energy and perfect for casual occasions.
How Will Red Wine Styles Become More Varied?
Laurie Webster of Ucopia Wines expects we’ll continue to seek out lighter, fresher reds with less extraction and less oak. So expect more red wines from cooler climate areas as well as traditional red wine producing regions. Last year was both the warmest and sunniest on record in the UK, so is this the year we find good English red wine on sale?
5. Textural Wines Rather Than Rich Wines
More and more wine drinkers are paying attention to how a wine feels, not just how big it tastes.
Wine Lovers Looking to Engage the Senses
Dan Green, owner of Served by Regal points out - “consumers are prioritising texture, minerality, salinity and complexity in wine over strength“. These markers of quality translate across red and white wines, and provide some answers as to why orange wine continues to grow in popularity.
And we’re likely to see wines with unique flavour profiles become more popular. Dan flags herbaceous whites and earthy reds as ones to watch. For many wine drinkers it's becoming less about intensity and more about character.
6. English Wine Comes of Age
English wine has quietly become one of the most exciting categories to watch. Quality has never been higher, confidence is growing, and styles are now expanding beyond just sparkling, with a range of grape varieties being used for white wine production.
How Good Is English Wine?
More drinkers are choosing the fresh, fruit forward approach of English wines, and because they genuinely deliver on quality. Tom Loudon of Norwich based Substrata wines, suggests consumer awareness of provenance will continue to benefit the English wine scene.
For UK wine buyers looking to support local producers, lower their carbon footprint, whilst discovering something new, English wine feels like a natural choice.
Expect to see a greater range of English wine to buy in 2026.
So What Are Must Know Trends For Wine Drinkers in 2026?
Taken together, the wine trends of 2026 point towards a more relaxed, curious way of drinking. We’ll be seeing and drinking more…
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Lighter, fresher styles (of red and white wine)
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Emerging regions, discovering exciting wines from new places
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Lower alcohol wines with a focus on quality
For anyone looking to discover modern wines with real character, especially if you’re buying wine online, this feels like an exciting time to explore beyond the familiar.
Want to experience more of the latest trends yourself? At Wildcase, work with independent producers to shape the future of wine. Our wine shop and wine club provide a unique experience to taste and discover wines you won’t find easily anywhere else.
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