Wine trends of the Noughties(2)

THE DECLINE OF THE HIGH STREET

• With the demise of First Quench come the death throes of the high street. Bottoms Up, Peter Dominic, Augustus Barnett, Victoria Wine, Wine Rack, Threshers, Haddows, The Local: remember them? Oddbins and Nicolas are still hanging in there, and Majestic continues to thrive of course, but that's about it.

• Our buying habits changed during the Noughties. The supermarkets continue to have us in their grip, but large independents and small retailers, often specialising in selected wine regions only, continue to flourish, especially those who are online-savvy.

• The internet has had a profound effect: we can buy wine at any time, access limitless amounts of tasting notes, shop around, arrange next-day delivery and so on.

• And no need for tiresome BOGOF deals, because an online merchant can cut prices to the bone. I'll drink to that.

CHAMPAGNE

• It has been an up and down decade for champagne. At the moment it's down, with exports to the UK expected to fall by some 20 per cent this year. We remain the major export market, though, and there are already signs of recovery. Rosé and the super-dry, non‑dosage champagnes are hugely popular.

• There are going to be great deals on champagne in Majestic, Oddbins and the supermarkets this Christmas. Some of these discounts are funded by the supermarkets, anxious to get "footfall" in their stores; others are prompted by the producers themselves. All up, it's good news for consumers.

THE WINNERS OF THE DECADE

• Screwcaps – get over it, they're here to stay.

• Organic/biodynamic wines – no longer for the dusty bottom shelf.

• English wine – well, who'd have thought it, but our sparklers are first rate.

• The French – despite everything, they still make (most of) the world's best wine.

• Wine lovers – thanks to a wider range of higher quality than ever before.

THE LOSERS OF THE DECADE

• The high street – Augustus and Victoria who?

• Robert Parker – everyone has a points system these days and everyone's an online critic.

• Over-oaked, high-alcohol whites – so Nineties, my dear.

• Small Australian producers – fabulous wines, but how will they manage to wean us off the big brands?

• Lovers of fine claret – it's all going to end up in Asia.

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