As the year 2022 draws to a close, what's ahead in wine for 2023? My crystal ball is a bit murky, so it's hard to predict what will happen next year. But here's a try based on current trends.

More Consolidation in the Wine Industry

The year 2022 saw significant acquisitions of smaller family-owned wineries by larger ones. Tapltei on Red Mountain by Avennia, Tertulia Cellars in Walla Walla by Patterson Cellars and àMaurice in Walla Walla by Doubleback. We expect this to continue as owners find buy-outs to be attractive in the face of increasing production and marketing costs.

Wine Pricing Edging Higher

With inflation running about 8% the costs of producing wine have been rising. We are now seeing price points going from $15 to $18, $20 to $22-$25, $40 to $42-$45. In last week's listing of Best Buys of 2022, we had fewer wines scoring 19/20 points for $40 or less and wines scoring 18.5/20 points for $25 or less. Look to see more incremental price increases next year.

Expect Some Surprises

The wine industry is an ever changing one, so I will not be surprised by the unexpected. This is a testimony to the dynamism of wine making and marketing.

That's it for now. Next year will be an interesting one.

Wines Recently Tasted

Here are a few more wines we've tried over the past few weeks.

2020 Domaine Michel Magnien Fixin ($59.99 - wine.com) - This is a powerful Red Burgundy. It was aged in amphorae jars which adds to its intensity. It boasts a deep purplish color and intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry, black currant. crushed black roses, dark tobacco, violets and oriental incense. The flavors are mouth encompassing, pure Pinot Noir, with dark fruits that are infused with black licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and minerals. The back reveals macerated fruits, roasted nuts, mocha, creme de cassis and kirsch liqueurs and charcoal stick, followed by a firm yet sweetish lingering finish. 19+/20 points.

2019 Rancho Sisquoc Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County ($23.99 - wine.com) - This is a super buy in Central Coast California Pinot Noir. It features a brick red color and engaging aromas of wild strawberry, bayberpurchasry, cherry, crushed roses, tobacco leaf, orange peel, thyme and stick incense. The flavors are medium bodied yet substantial, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, orange pekoe tea and hillside minerals. On the back, the wines fillsout with fraise and kirsch liqueurs, recurring orange peel and soft charcoal, followed by a savory, sweet-dry moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5/20 points.

Need some Champagne (real ones) for New Year? Here are three excellent values from proprietare-manipulants that can be purchased at Esquin and Safeway. 

N.V. Moutard Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée ($39.99 - Esquin) - Produced from Pinot Noir, this offers a brilliant gold color, streaming bubbles and floral aromas of pear, white peach, lemon custard, brioche, apple blossoms and whiffs of white incense. The flavors are bright and resonant, finely fruited, with notes of grape skins, peach stones and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and recurring brioche, followed by a slightly nutted true brut finish. 19/20 points.

N.V. Moutard Champagne Brut Rosé de Cuvaison ($46.99 - Esquin) - Also 100% Pinot Noir. this is outstanding. It shows a brilliant copper tinged color, streaming bubbles and seductive aromas of strawberry, cherry, red currant, rose petals, orange peel and orange incense. The flavors are rich and round yet vibrant, with notes of grape skins, cherry stones and saline minerals. On the back, the wine turns elegantly textured, with red and orange liqueurs that are enlivened by CO2. followed by a lingering Brut finish. 19+/20 points. 

N.V. Château de Bligny Champagne Grande Reserve Brut ($44.99 - Safeway) - This was a standout at the GG Holiday Bubbles Party. It shows a brilliant gold color, frothy bubbles and aromas of pear, white peach, orange custard, pear blossoms, brioche and orange incense. The flavors are well rounded and creamy, yet focused, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and minerals. The back picks up poire William liqueur and recurring brioche, followed by a lingering true Brut finish. 19/20 points.