'Canned and non-alcoholic sparkling wines are growing in popularity'

The Glass of Bubbly Awards is a unique consumer-focused competition that puts the spotlight on sparkling wines from around the world. Created by the premium digital magazine Glass of Bubbly, the awards are entering their 9th year. Oliver Walkey, director, highlights future trends for sparkling wines

Excerpts:

The forthcoming Glass of Bubbly Awards are the 9th since it started. What is unique about the Glass of Bubbly awards that sets it apart from other awards/competitions? How is your pool of judges selected?

The international Glass of Bubbly Awards are unique due to our consumer-friendly categories. The competition was created with the intent of helping consumers discover the characteristics of different sparkling wines. With categories such as Oaky & Toasty, Light & Fruity, Hint of Spice, and several more, the award-winners’ medal badges assist the consumer in finding their favourite bubbly.

Although not unique now, we were the first to introduce a Sustainability Trophy (in partnership with Slow Food) to highlight the incredible work being done by wineries across the world in the sparkling wine sector. Then we have the World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Trophy, a stunning silver ice bucket created by Carynx, our trophy partner.

When it comes to judges, it is important to have a varied array of palates, so the judges we choose to help us find the world’s finest glass of bubbly every year come from across the world. They include Masters of Wine, sommeliers, journalists, wine buyers, and, for some years now, bubbly-loving consumers.

*Canvino was the first canned sparkling wine to win a gold* *medal*

Last year, a canned sparkling wine won a gold – that was a first. What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Awards?

Every year brings with it excitement for us, the judges, and the international Glass of Bubbly family. Over the years, we’ve seen the likes of canned and non-alcoholic sparkling wines expand in both quantity and quality, English sparkling wines and grower Champagnes have really shone, too.

The world of wine is changing rapidly, triggered in no small way by global warming. Name some new countries/regions or styles consumers might see featured at these Awards?

It’s all down to who enters – we can expect everything from Japanese labels to Canadian ones, from magnum bottles to cans!

Last year, an English winery took home the World’s Finest Trophy again as the overall winner. What has brought English sparkling wine to the forefront, and what is happening of note in the English wine industry that consumers should look out for?

The English sparkling wine industry is expanding rapidly, every year we see hectares upon hectares of new vines planted, new brands launched, and more unique labels released, in collaboration with the likes of local bars to rock stars.

As more people enter the industry, we see both a step-up in quality and variation in style. The categories now include red sparkling wines, pet-nats, and even blue sparkling wines!

Due to the global warming cycle, we are also seeing benefits for the English sparkling wine producers.

Sustainability is a big factor in the industry, and you have instituted an award for this. How relevant and important is the sustainability factor in sparkling wines these days?

It becomes more important each passing day, and it is something the wineries and the people behind them want to be doing, so we believe it is important to highlight their efforts in this field. Many consumers lead with sustainability when deciding to purchase a bottle of sparkling wine.

*Cornwall’s* *Knightor Winery with the World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly trophy 2024*

With wine sales plateauing worldwide, what do you foresee as the future of sparkling wine in the years to come?

The non-alcoholic sparkling wine sector is one to keep an eye out for, because younger generations are not drinking as much. This is due in part to two factors, one, the way youngsters are being brought up, and two, financial, as drinking is a social affair, when you can’t afford a pint of beer or the even more expensive glass of bubbly, you will go out less!

Finally, a must-try region or lesser-known style of sparkling wine that consumers need to be aware of?

There are always gems in each region, and those who are steadily improving. English bubbly is well worth keeping an eye on; Lambrusco reds can be something special; the growers of Champagne are enjoyable to discover, the Americans and Canadians are always interesting to taste… There is so much more than we will ever get to try in a lifetime.