TRENDS FOR 2024 by MELISSA DOWLING
Sparkling rosé can pair well with any salad that features fresh berries , most cheeses and typical charcuterie offerings , such as prosciutto or a dry , aged salami , says Hanah Rizzardo , beverage manager at Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse .
PHOTO CREDIT : © GALPAO GAUCHO BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE he sparkling wine category , which had posted growth for 20 consecutive years since 2002 , took a tumble in 2023 . Sparkling wine consumption fell 3.4 % to 25.7 million 9−liter cases , according to The Beverage Information Group ’ s 2024 Industry Overview . That ’ s the same percentage decline as total wine volume consumption for this past year .
Bubbly wines face the same headwinds as wine in general : People drinking less wine ( and less overall ), and fierce competition from the ready-to-drink cocktails , tequila and whiskey categories . Sparklers have a distinct advantage over still wines , however .
For one , Spritz cocktails , such as the Aperol Spritz and Hugo Spritz , have extended their popularity from summer sips to year-round requests . Sparkling wine-based brunch cocktails such as the Mimosa and the Bellini never go out of style . And while more consumers now opt for bubbly wines as anytime options , Champagne and other sparklers remain the standard for celebrations .
At Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse , with five locations in California and one each in South Carolina and Nevada , sparkling wines have steadily gained popularity in the past few years , says beverage manager Hanah Rizzardo . “ This shift reflects a growing appreciation for the versatility and enjoyment of sparkling wines , dispelling the notion that they are solely reserved for celebratory occasions .”
Galpão Gaucho typically offers three by-the-glass sparkling options and an average of nine different labels by the bottle . Popular brands include Chandon Brut California Sparkling Wine ( priced on average at $ 13 a glass and $ 60 a bottle ); Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne ($ 19 a split and $ 109 per bottle ); Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne ($ 126 a bottle ); and Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne ( about $ 395 a bottle ).
For Vino Volo wine bar , which operates 42 locations inside airports across the U . S . and Canada , sparkling wine is the category leader by far , says Larissa C . Dubose , national direc- www . cheersonline . com Summer 2024 • Cheers 9