The Top 10 Wines You'll Be Drinking in 2019

Karla Walsh

Raise a glass! The latest wine trend—including smaller formats (like canned wine and mini bottles) and eco-friendly updates (such as screw tops)—are making what once was a special-occasion drink part of the dining culture. A quarter of Americans are drinking more wine then they did last year, while 60 percent are drinking about the same, according to a Mintel survey of about 1,200 Americans. As alcohol consumption in some categories is skewing downward due to consumers cutting calories and limiting alcohol, wine's heart-healthy appeal and fairly low calorie count makes it a pretty appealing happy hour option. In fact, 55 percent of Americans polled drink wine (non-sparkling) and 25 percent drink bubbly.

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So what are these imbibers enjoying? Mintel's report notes that these are the 10 most popular wine varietals:

  1. Cabernet Sauvignon

  2. Merlot

  3. Moscato

  4. Charonnay

  5. Pinot Noir

  6. Pinot Gris

  7. White Zinfandel

  8. Red Blend

  9. Riseling

  10. Rosé

The fastest-growing categories since 2014 include cabernet sauvignon, moscato, red blends, rosés, and sauvignon blanc.

Looking back at the past 12 months, several sommeliers are pouring out their choices for the best investments of the year. In case you're seeking the sippable gift for the holiday season, Wine Enthusiast's best wines of 2018 list starts at just $19.

  1. 2015 Michelle Chiarlo Cipressi ($25)

  2. 2011 Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Brut Sparkling ($48)

  3. 2015 Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon ($20)

  4. 2016 Domaine Saint Damien Les Souteyrades ($33)

  5. 2017 Elk Cove Estate Pinot Blanc ($19)

  6. 2014 Edmeades Zinfandel ($20)

  7. 2016 Franz Keller Vom Löss Pinot Noir ($25)

  8. 2015 Ca' dei Zago Dosaggio Zero Metodo Classico ($25)

  9. 2015 Ramey Chardonnay ($42)

  10. 2017 Zuccardi Concreto Malbec ($28)

Related: Pour Leftover Wine Into 23 These Recipes

Wine Spectator's picks are heavy on the bubbly and the red wine—and on the bank account hit. Here are their top 10 of 2018:

  1. 2015 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia ($245)

  2. 2015 Château Canon-La Gaffelière St.-Emilion ($84)

  3. 2015 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva ($35)

  4. 2005 La Rioja Alta Rioja 890 Gran Reserva Selección Especial ($175)

  5. 2008 Moët & Chandon Brut Champagne Dom Pérignon Legacy Edition ($180)

  6. 2016 Aubert Chardonnay Carneros Larry Hyde & Sons ($85)

  7. 2015 Colene Clemens Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Dopp Creek ($26)

  8. 2016 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($70)

  9. 2016 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna San Lorenzo ($60)

  10. 2016 Bedrock The Bedrock Heritage Sonoma Valley ($46)