As we head into a new decade, we’re taking the effects of the climate catastrophe with us, along with the realisation that we need to do something about it.

The best way to solve any problem is over a glass of wine, but even that hasn’t escaped climate change.

To paraphrase Bob Dylan, ‘the wines, they are a-changin’.

Per Moneyweb, the 2010s saw the rise of serious global concern about the effect of climate change on wine.

That concern has sparked some creativity in the industry and wine may never be the same again.

Here are five ways that wine will be different in the coming years:

1. Global Warming Will Spark More Experimentation

You’ll see the bottled results of dozens of experiments, and more will be started. Sparkling wine from Nova Scotia? Definitely. Historic and new hybrid grapes that can cope with heat better? Spain’s Torres winery is on it; ditto Bordeaux, Champagne, and Napa.

Fresher, brighter whites from high-altitude vineyards? Look to Chile and Argentina, including even the cold extremities of Patagonia.

2. Wine Packaging Will Become More Environmentally Friendly 

Environmentally conscious changes to look out for in the wine industry include refillable, reusable jugs and flat bottles made from recycled plastic, as well as green-friendly components such as zero-carbon corks.

When it comes to a simple, affordable, but high-quality wines, it doesn’t get better than the Protea range from Rupert Wines. These delicious wines are also ahead of the game when it comes to packaging. The gorgeous bottles are designed to be upcycled and reused.

3. Healthy Wines

Expect a boost of interest in organic and biodynamic wines—“health-focused” wine club Dry Farm Wines claims its offerings are all-natural and lab-tested for purity—as well as those naturally low in alcohol, such as riesling, lightly fizzy Spanish txakoli, and slightly sweet Italian moscato d’Asti. All are far more delicious and just as healthy as wines from “clean wine” companies such as FitVine.

4. Luxury Wines In Vending Machines

You’ll want to save up your coins for this one. Luxury wine machines are all the rage in New York and it looks like they’ll be spreading throughout America in 2020.

We’re not sure when these vending machines will be making their way to South Africa, but at this rate, you could be inserting a token and receiving a small bottle of Anthonij Rupert Optima in return, very soon.

5. Wine In Space

This past November, Luxembourg-based Space Cargo Unlimited started a project that sent bottles of red wine to the International Space Station to be aged for 12 months. The idea is to investigate how exposure to more radiation and microgravity affect the evolution of a wine’s components. When the wine returns, the University of Bordeaux will analyze it and compare it with wines aged on Earth.

Space wine is a thing now and I’m not sure how to feel about it.

What I do know is that one of the major changes I’ll be making this year involves only drinking the good stuff when it comes to wine, and if it comes in a bottle that can be upcycled, even better.

So, pour yourself a glass and let’s make the most of 2020.

I believe in you.

[source:moneyweb]