I pride myself on not being a typical blogger. I strive not to write boring meta-narrative drivel such as, “So, last night I was having drinks with my boys, pounding down the PBR like I was trying to solve world hunger when I realized, over a half eaten chicken wing and a serendipitous update from Google Reader, that gosh! I haven’t written my 2011 wine predictions like every other blogger on the god damn earth.*”
So I will spare you and just say, gosh! I haven’t given you my 2011 wine predictions. Here they are:
1. Wine on tap is gonna be huge.
My ear to the ground says that there are powerful individuals seriously interested in bringing this to the Windy City. Basically, it’s wine on tap. It’s quirky, it’s old fashioned, and it’s already gained the cool factor in California. And like the phrase, “da bomb” (except not annoying,) wine casks for our draughting pleasure should be making their way o’er ol’ Smoky this year. I’m pretty excited about this one.
2. Prosecco will own your face.
Jeio, great job!
With New Years parties behind us, the quest for cost-effective bubbly goes into hibernation. But a contender has been rising for a couple years, Prosecco was awarded a pedigreed home in the newly upgraded D.O.C.G. Valdobbiadene et. al. back in 2009. A long time Som-fav for it’s food and wallet friendly characteristics, I think it can be the hit that Cava wasn’t exactly. Over in Europe, you can get this stuff in aluminum cans and even order kegs for home parties. I don’t think we’ll see that this year, but I do think that your mom will finally stop toasting that damn Korbel. When you show up for the pre-party next New Years Eve, remember I told you so.
3. Washington wines will make the jump.
People will finally start to connect the dots between their favorite varietals (Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,) their favorite brands (Pacific Rim, Charles Smith, Chateau Ste. Michelle,) and this beautiful State. Washington is the second largest wine producer in the U.S., and I think this year its wines will finally stop being “good for the price” to “damn good wine.” More and more I’m seeing Washington wines replace the usual suspects on wine lists around the city, it’s a matter of time before the best of Washington is spoke in the same breath as those of Cali.
4. Michigan wine will earn its wings.
Maybe this is more of a resolution than a prediction. But with one restaurant here in Chicago that has a wine list comprised mostly of Michigan wines, the increasing quality and dedication of passionate winemakers, and the fact that it’s just a day trip away, I think people will begin to see Michigan as a quality wine producer, at least here in the Second City. And like they say: as Chicago goes, so goes the nation.
5. People will stop raving to me about Malbec when they find out I write a wine blog.
Nah. It’ll never happen. But I’m trying to speak it into existence.
