News

Issues affecting the wine industry and the wine you drink

  • Drinks Retailing Trends Report

    Drinks Retailing Trends Report

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    Simon Judge

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    The latest Drinks Retailing Trends Report offers a comprehensive snapshot of the UK wine sector, with a particular focus on the top-selling wine brands and emerging trends. Among still wines, Yellow Tail now holds the top position with sales of £222.8 million, marking a 9.8% increase over the previous year. It overtakes Hardys, which experienced…

  • UK Vineyard Visits

    UK Vineyard Visits

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    Simon Judge

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    Wine tourism is rapidly becoming a major trend in UK travel, with over 1.5 million visits to vineyards and wineries recorded in 2023, marking a 55% increase from 2022. In response, WineGB has released the Visit a Vineyard Guide 2025 (pdf), a comprehensive resource promoting the diverse and distinctive experiences available across the country. There…

  • How the Wine Industry is Evolving to Stay Relevant to Gen Z

    How the Wine Industry is Evolving to Stay Relevant to Gen Z

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    Simon Judge

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    IWSR is reporting that wine markets are increasingly reliant on drinkers aged 55 and above, as younger legal drinking age consumers are drinking wine less frequently. In Australia, for instance, the number of 18–24-year-olds consuming wine at least monthly halved between 2010 and 2023. This trend presents a challenge for wine producers trying to engage…

  • 200% US Tariffs

    200% US Tariffs

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    Simon Judge

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    The European wine industry is facing a significant threat following US President Donald Trump’s warning of a 200% tariff on EU wine imports. Trade bodies on both sides of the Atlantic have expressed alarm, warning that such a move would devastate European wine producers and severely disrupt the transatlantic alcohol trade. Ignacio Sánchez, secretary general…

  • Wine, Neuroprotection and Gut Health

    Wine, Neuroprotection and Gut Health

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    Simon Judge

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    More new research (pdf) helps to balance the currently overly-negative narrative of wine and health. Chapter 6 of Nourish Your Mind: A Scientific Approach to Brain Health explores the role of phenolic metabolites from wine and their effects on cognitive and digestive processes. The chapter examines how these compounds, particularly polyphenols, contribute to neuroprotection, gut…

  • Shifts in Global Alcohol Consumption Patterns

    Shifts in Global Alcohol Consumption Patterns

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    Simon Judge

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    The IWSR’s Bevtrac 2024 Wave 2 report highlights a significant shift in global alcohol consumption patterns, with moderation becoming a prevalent trend across all demographics over the past year. While a surge in complete abstinence observed in 2023 appears to have been temporary, consumers, including younger legal drinking age individuals, are now returning to alcohol…

  • How Climate Change is Affecting Bordeaux Wine Producers

    How Climate Change is Affecting Bordeaux Wine Producers

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    Simon Judge

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    New research examines the impact of climate change on the income of wine producers in the Bordeaux region. The study analyses the relationship between climate variables, vineyard characteristics and economic performance. The findings indicate that rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns significantly affect vineyard yields and income, with high temperatures during the bloom period (May…

  • Australian Wine Report

    Australian Wine Report

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    Simon Judge

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    A new report provides insights into Australian wine exports for the year ending December 2024. A significant theme was the surge in exports to mainland China following the removal of import tariffs in March 2024, which drove a 34% increase in export value to AUD 2.55 billion and a 7% rise in volume to 649…

  • A New Type of International Wine

    A New Type of International Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    Wine sold in the UK no longer needs to originate from one country because of Brexit, which freed the UK from EU regulations, including those governing wine production and labelling. Under EU law, wines that combine EU and non-EU fruit are prohibited, reflecting a strict adherence to the concept of terroir. Terroir emphasises the unique…

  • Wine, Flavonoids and Health

    Wine, Flavonoids and Health

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    Simon Judge

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    With much debate surrounding wine’s impact on health, here’s some balancing news. New research (pdf) offers an in-depth look at flavonoids, compounds found in wine that might tip the scales in favour of moderate consumption. In red wine, flavonoids make up as much as 90% of its phenolic content. These phenols, largely derived from the…

  • Insights from the ProWein Business Report 2025

    Insights from the ProWein Business Report 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    The new ProWein Business Report 2025, based on a survey of over 1,300 wine industry experts from more than 30 countries, highlights the challenges and trends shaping the global wine market. The report explains the importance of adapting to economic pressures, changing consumer preferences and evolving industry demands. Economic challenges and shifting consumer behaviour remain…

  • The Effects of Climate Change on Winemaking

    The Effects of Climate Change on Winemaking

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    Simon Judge

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    Researchers from Italy have put together a useful paper (pdf) on the effects of climate change on wine composition and winemaking processes, focusing on the challenges posed and strategies to address them. This research is relevant because climate change will increasingly alter the flavour profiles, quality and availability of wines. It highlights how increasing temperatures,…

  • Insights from Vivino vs Expert Bordeaux Reviews

    Insights from Vivino vs Expert Bordeaux Reviews

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    Simon Judge

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    A new paper from Cambridge University Press examines the validity of crowdsourced wine ratings, focusing on the Vivino platform, by comparing them with professional critics’ assessments and exploring their sensitivity to weather variations that impact wine quality. Using a dataset of Bordeaux red wines, the study finds substantial correlation between Vivino ratings and professional evaluations,…

  • Exploring Regional Differences in Wine Tasting

    Exploring Regional Differences in Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    The new study (pdf) explores whether distinct groups of wine experts differ in their sensory and quality assessments of the same wines. Blind tastings were conducted with panels from two Canadian regions, the Okanagan Valley and Montreal, which have different socio-cultural and training backgrounds. The Okanagan panel included winemakers and winery employees with training in…

  • Sparkling Wine, Champagne and Premium Own-Label Fuelled Christmas Growth in UK

    Sparkling Wine, Champagne and Premium Own-Label Fuelled Christmas Growth in UK

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    Simon Judge

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    Kantar data shows that sparkling wine and Champagne were standout performers in the UK festive retail market, with sales growing by 4.4% to reach a total of £187 million across December 2024. This increase reflects a strong consumer appetite for celebratory drinks during the holiday season, despite rising grocery price inflation. Fortified wines also saw…

  • The Battle Between Science and Prohibitionists

    The Battle Between Science and Prohibitionists

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    Simon Judge

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    David Morrison argues on his blog that current medical evidence does not support the claim that moderate wine consumption is harmful, though public health messaging has increasingly taken a prohibitionist stance. He critiques official health organisations, such as the WHO and the UK Chief Medical Officers, for their stringent guidelines on alcohol, pointing out a…

  • French Red Wine Faces Crisis Amid Changing Tastes

    French Red Wine Faces Crisis Amid Changing Tastes

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    Simon Judge

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    The FT newspaper is reporting (link started free but might be behind paywall by the time you read this) that the French red wine industry is facing a severe decline as younger generations increasingly shift away from red wine, opting for rosé, beer, spirits, or alcohol-free alternatives and some avoid alcohol altogether. Consumption of red…

  • EU Sparkling Wine Production and Exports Down 8%

    EU Sparkling Wine Production and Exports Down 8%

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    Simon Judge

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    Eurostat, the EU’s official statistics body, is reporting an 8% decline in sparkling wine production and exports in 2023 (yes, 2023, see below). The EU produced 1.496 billion litres of sparkling wine, down from 1.624 billion litres in 2022. Italy led production with 638 million litres, followed by France with 312 million (224 million litres…

  • Global Surge in No-Alcohol Drinks

    Global Surge in No-Alcohol Drinks

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    Simon Judge

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    The IWSR (International Wine and Spirits Research) is a top authority on global alcohol beverage market data, analysis and insights, providing strategic intelligence to the industry. According to the IWSR No- and Low-Alcohol Strategic Study 2024, the market is experiencing a transformative shift, driven by younger consumers and evolving preferences. Across 10 key markets, including…

  • Ensure You’re Getting the Right Measure in Bars and Pubs

    Ensure You’re Getting the Right Measure in Bars and Pubs

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    Simon Judge

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    Swindon link is reporting on a survey conducted by Swindon Borough Council’s Trading Standards team revealed that some pubs and bars in the borough are serving short measures of alcohol. During inspections of ten venues, officers found that 70 per cent of drinks purchased were below the legally prescribed quantities under The Weights and Measures…

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