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  • Bordeaux to Allow Sweetening of Wines

    Bordeaux to Allow Sweetening of Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    Meininger reports that Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur producers are updating rules that will allow wines of all styles, including reds, clarets, rosés and whites, to contain up to 7 grams of residual sugar per litre after fermentation. The move will mark a departure from Bordeaux’s traditional association with fully dry wines and has prompted concerns that the region could follow other European appellations towards softer, more commercially driven styles. The proposal was approved by the appellations’ management body on 26 June 2026, following a wider ruling by France’s INAO permitting the sweetening of dry AOC still wines under certain conditions.…

  • How Climate Change Could Reshape the Wines We Drink

    How Climate Change Could Reshape the Wines We Drink

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    Simon Judge

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    A great recent paper, Future viability of European vineyards using bioclimatic climate analogues, examines how Europe’s wine map could change as the climate warms. It compares the future climate of established vineyards with places experiencing similar conditions today, while considering not only temperature but also frost, extreme heat, humidity, rainfall and three major vine diseases. The researchers analysed 21,076 vineyard sites and considered conditions around 2040, 2060 and 2080. They adjusted their calculations for elevation, slope and exposure, which can make an individual vineyard considerably warmer or cooler than the surrounding area. The main conclusion is that European wine production…

  • Low-to-Moderate Wine Consumption Might Be Beneficial

    Low-to-Moderate Wine Consumption Might Be Beneficial

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    Simon Judge

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    Nutrition Journal reports findings from a study of 340,924 UK Biobank participants, who were followed for an average of 13.4 years to assess links between mortality and the consumption of wine, beer, cider and spirits. Compared with people who never drank or drank only occasionally, those with high overall alcohol consumption had a 24 per cent greater risk of death from any cause, a 36 per cent greater risk of cancer death and a 14 per cent greater risk of cardiovascular death. In the statistical analysis, low-to-moderate wine consumption was associated with lower mortality, whereas similar levels of beer, cider…

  • How Alcohol and Acidity Shape Red Wine Flavour

    How Alcohol and Acidity Shape Red Wine Flavour

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    Simon Judge

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    A new paper from researchers in Naples, Italy, asks a practical question: as climate change makes some red wines higher in alcohol and alters their acidity, does that also change how strongly certain aromas are released and perceived? The researchers focused on two naturally occurring aroma compounds, γ-nonalactone and massoia lactone. At noticeable levels, these can contribute sweet, cooked-fruit aromas such as prune and dried fig. In some dry red wines, these notes may be interpreted as over-ripeness or premature ageing rather than desirable fruit development. They took one red wine, removed most of its original aroma, and rebuilt it…

  • Australian Wine Industry Faces Deepening Crisis

    Australian Wine Industry Faces Deepening Crisis

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    Simon Judge

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    7news reports that the Australian wine industry is facing what some industry figures describe as its worst crisis in decades, driven by a combination of falling global demand, oversupply, and the long-term effects of China’s 2020 tariffs on Australian wine. Although those tariffs have since been lifted, producers say the damage has already been done, with exports to China having collapsed from around $1.2 billion to less than $10 million almost overnight. Growers such as Darren De Bortoli have been forced to remove vines from vineyards in regions such as the Riverina, as wineries struggle to sell existing stock and…

  • New Research Into Wine Corks and Oxygen

    New Research Into Wine Corks and Oxygen

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    Simon Judge

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    Most wine drinkers know that oxygen matters. A little can help a wine soften, develop complexity and move from fresh fruit towards more savoury, mature aromas. Too much can make a wine taste tired, flat or bruised. What is less obvious is how oxygen actually gets into a bottle once it has been sealed. A new study on cork closures shows that the story is not as simple as “cork lets air in”. The researchers looked at microagglomerated corks in a miniaturised bottle system over 18 months, with and without a model wine. Their aim was to separate out the…

  • Light and Moderate Drinking Shows No Clear Association with Cancer Mortality

    Light and Moderate Drinking Shows No Clear Association with Cancer Mortality

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    Simon Judge

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    New research examines whether different levels of alcohol consumption are associated with long-term cancer mortality in the REGARDS cohort, a large US study of adults aged 45 and over. For once, the study appears to be independent, with no apparent connection to either prohibitionist or alcohol industry groups. After excluding people with prior cancer and missing alcohol data, the analysis included 26,694 participants followed for a median of 13.3 years, during which 2,306 cancer deaths occurred. Participants were grouped as non-drinkers, light drinkers, moderate drinkers or heavy drinkers. Heavy drinkers had the highest cancer mortality rate, while light drinkers had…

  • UK Drinkers Redefining Quality, Discovery and Moderation

    UK Drinkers Redefining Quality, Discovery and Moderation

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    Simon Judge

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    The Buyer summarises findings from SOWINE and Dynata’s Wine & Drinks Barometer UK 2026, based on a representative survey of 1,002 UK consumers aged 18 to 65. Its central message is that UK drinkers are becoming more selective, better informed and more focused on experiences when choosing alcoholic drinks. Wine is becoming more knowledge-led and exploratory. SOWINE says 72% of consumers now think wine knowledge is essential to appreciation, up 20 percentage points on 2025, while the number of people describing themselves as wine experts has doubled. The implication is that consumers increasingly want to understand what they drink, not…

  • Why Choosing Wine Still Feels Like Guesswork

    Why Choosing Wine Still Feels Like Guesswork

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    Simon Judge

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    The Press Democrat has an interesting article that argues that wine’s biggest challenge is not competition from beer, spirits, cannabis or younger generations. Instead, many consumers struggle to predict what a bottle of wine will actually taste like before buying it, which leads to disappointment and discourages repeat purchases. The article draws on research from the Wine Market Council and flavour-analysis company Quini. Their findings suggest that wine is much harder for casual drinkers to understand than beer or cocktails. Many consumers cannot tell from a label whether a wine will be dry or sweet, and a majority say wine…

  • Chianti DOCG Moves Towards Rosé in Major Rule Shake-Up

    Chianti DOCG Moves Towards Rosé in Major Rule Shake-Up

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    Simon Judge

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    The Drinks Business says says Chianti DOCG is preparing a major revision of its production rules, with the headline change being the creation of an official Chianti Rosé category. This rosé would have its own production rules, could carry sub-zone names, would be released from 1 December in the harvest year and could not use governo all’uso Toscano or the traditional fiasco bottle. Other proposed changes include lowering the minimum Sangiovese in Chianti blends from 70% to 60%, capping Cabernet varieties at 15% across the appellation and 10% in Colli Senesi, and adding a new sub-zone called Terre di Vinci.…

  • Ocado Reports Surge in Demand for Mid-Strength Drinks

    Ocado Reports Surge in Demand for Mid-Strength Drinks

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    Simon Judge

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    Harpers is reporting that Ocado says demand for mid-strength alcoholic drinks is rising sharply, with category sales up 71% over the past two years and searches on its website increasing by more than 400%. Mid-strength wine has been the strongest performer, with sales up 151% year on year, while mid-strength beer has recently gained momentum, growing 21% month on month. A survey of 2,180 UK adults, carried out with Clariti in March 2026, found that many consumers are moderating their alcohol intake rather than giving it up entirely. Some 39% of adults are choosing mid-strength drinks more often than a…

  • White Wine Extends Its Lead Over Red

    White Wine Extends Its Lead Over Red

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    Simon Judge

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    An article on Wine Searcher argues that white wine has overtaken red as the more dynamic part of the market, both culturally and commercially. It says red wine’s long-standing image as the default “serious” wine is fading, while whites are increasingly seen as fresher, lighter and more in tune with how people eat and drink now. Its central point is that this is not just a passing fashion. Drawing on OIV data, the article says red wine’s share of global production fell from about 48 percent in 2000 to roughly 43 percent, while white wine rose and now accounts for…

  • UK Bottle Supply Fears Grow Amid Encirc Strike Dispute

    UK Bottle Supply Fears Grow Amid Encirc Strike Dispute

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    Simon Judge

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    The Drinks Business is reporting that there may be a risk of disruption to the UK drinks supply chain because workers at Encirc’s Elton glass plant, which supplies bottles for major brands and supermarket wines, have announced further strike dates in April and May after planned job cuts of nearly 30 roles. Unite argues this could hit bottle availability and potentially lead to shortages in the coming months. It also says the dispute is tied to worker concerns about staffing levels, fatigue, and health and safety, though Encirc rejects those claims. The article adds a wider industry angle, noting that…

  • UK Supermarkets Spark Champagne Price War Before Easter

    UK Supermarkets Spark Champagne Price War Before Easter

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    The Drinks Business reports that a new round of pre Easter Champagne discounting has hit the major supermarkets, with Tesco and Sainsbury’s reviving 25% off when buying six bottles and Waitrose following with a milder offer. The article says the deals run until 6 April at Tesco and Sainsbury’s, and highlights how cuts on brands such as Perrier Jouët, Moët & Chandon, Bollinger and Nicolas Feuillatte are pushing some bottles to unusually low prices for the category. See my offers page for the best discounts on Champagne and still wine.

  • A Strong 2025 Vintage Marks the Start of the UK Growing Season

    A Strong 2025 Vintage Marks the Start of the UK Growing Season

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    Simon Judge

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    WineGB has launched its 2025 Harvest Report alongside the updated 2026 Green Book as vineyards enter a new growing season. The report highlights 2025 as an outstanding year for UK viticulture, driven by favourable weather conditions. An early, dry spring followed by exceptional summer heat led to the earliest and ripest grape harvest recorded in the British Isles. Production rose significantly, with a 39% increase on 2024 according to WineGB data, while Food Standards Agency figures show an even larger 55% rise, totalling over 16.5 million bottles. The quality of the crop also improved, with higher ripeness levels, increased potential…

  • In the UK, 73% of Alcohol is Bought From Retail Rather Than Hospitality

    In the UK, 73% of Alcohol is Bought From Retail Rather Than Hospitality

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    Simon Judge

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    A new report from Drinkaware examines the shift of alcohol consumption in the UK from pubs and bars to the home. Around 73% of alcohol is now bought from supermarkets or convenience stores for home use, and adults are about twice as likely to drink at home weekly as they are to drink in pubs or restaurants. Although most home drinking is moderate, the report argues that risk can build over time because drinking at home is frequent and less visible. A small group of heavier drinkers account for a large share of alcohol purchases and about 8.2 million UK…

  • UK’s Top Restaurant Wine Lists Revealed

    UK’s Top Restaurant Wine Lists Revealed

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    Simon Judge

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    The finalists for the sixth Star Wine List of the Year UK awards have been announced, which recognise the country’s best restaurant and bar wine lists. The 2026 competition attracted a record number of entries and 66 venues were selected by an expert panel of Masters of Wine and sommeliers. Winners will be revealed on 23 March 2026 at an invitation-only ceremony in London, and the international category winners will go on to a global final in Sweden later in the year. The finalists come from across the UK, although London dominates, and include previous gold-star winners returning to defend…

  • Wales to Raise Minimum Alcohol Price to 65p per Unit

    Wales to Raise Minimum Alcohol Price to 65p per Unit

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    Simon Judge

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    The Welsh Government has agreed to raise the minimum unit price of alcohol by about 30 per cent, increasing it from 50p to 65p per unit from October 2026. This policy, first introduced in 2020 under the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act, is intended to discourage excessive drinking by making very cheap alcoholic drinks more expensive. In practice that means bargain bottles, multipacks and large formats where the price has been kept low despite relatively high strength, including some stronger everyday wines (around 13.5% to 15% ABV) that are priced close to the lower end of the…

  • Premium Wines and Sparkling Drive Resilience in a Declining UK Retail Market

    Premium Wines and Sparkling Drive Resilience in a Declining UK Retail Market

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    Simon Judge

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    DrinksRetailing is reporting that UK off-trade (retail) wine sales are under pressure, with total value down 1.8% year on year, mainly due to falling volumes despite higher average prices. Sparkling wine is holding up better than still wine, while red wine is declining most sharply, partly because of duty banding. Premiumisation is a clear theme. Wines priced at £7 and above are growing, while cheaper wines are seeing significant declines. A small number of brands are driving growth, most notably La Vieille Ferme, alongside Freixenet and Villa Maria, all benefiting from positioning in the £8–9 price range. Looking ahead, ongoing…

  • UK Ministers’ Alcohol Labelling Plans Alarm the Drinks Industry

    UK Ministers’ Alcohol Labelling Plans Alarm the Drinks Industry

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    Simon Judge

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    The FT is reporting that UK ministers have triggered fresh unease in the drinks and hospitality sectors as they move ahead with discussions on possible new alcohol labelling rules, while also preparing to reverse course on the prospect of higher business rates for pubs in England. The Department of Health and Social Care is due to meet more than two dozen alcohol producers, retailers and trade bodies, including Diageo and groups representing beer, pubs, wine and spirits, to talk through the early-stage proposals and gather evidence on likely impacts. Industry leaders fear the government could mandate prominent health warnings on…

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Did You Know?

Nearly a third (32%) of UK consumers say they have already used AI for alcoholic drinks advice. More

Among socially active wine buyers, 37% have bought a wine recommended online. More

In 2026, 72% of consumers now think wine knowledge is essential to appreciation, up 20 percentage points on 2025. More

Rías Baixas wines reached more than 107 countries in 2025 and exports represented 31 per cent of the denomination’s total sales. More

Light Strike Can Cause Wine Degradation in Just One Day. More

People actively adjust their wine choices depending on who might see them. More

In the UK, 73% of Alcohol is Bought From Retail Rather Than Hospitality. More

UK wine production reached 124,377 hectolitres that year, meaning the UK accounted for roughly 0.05 per cent of world output. More

For Crémant, grapes must be harvested by hand and the wines must undergo at least nine months’ ageing before release. More

In 2024, the UK was the second-largest export market for Champagne globally, after the United States. More

Local UK bottling of wine represents about 40% of imported wine. More

Around 1% of people, typically severe asthmatics, have a sulphite sensitivity. More

A large 80% of Australian wine arrives in the UK in bulk. More

Only about 0.02% of Australia’s landmass is dedicated to vineyards. More

In 2024, New Zealand produced only 1% of the World’s wine. More

In 2024, the US imported 37% of World production of Pinot Grigio and the UK was is in second place at 27%. More

In 2024, the UK was South Africa’s largest export market, with 40% of total exports. More

In 2024, the United Kingdom imported 22.3 million bottles of Champagne, a decline of 12.7% compared to the previous year. More

Larger Champagne producers source grapes from as many as 80 different vineyards throughout Champagne. More

Champagne houses and growers collectively produce around 300 million bottles annually. More

In 2025, the Champagne region was home to about 2,124 Champagne houses and approximately 19,000 growers. More

Provence is one of the leaders in the conversion to organic viticulture, with 61% of vineyards certified. More

8% of the South Africa’s grape production is Fairtrade-certified. More

Up to 80% of wine aroma compounds come from grape skins. More

Glycerol is the third-largest component of most dry wines after water and alcohol which is why they so often feel ‘smooth’ or ‘silky’ in the mouth. More

Humans are more than 400 times more sensitive to bitter than sweet. More

Humans can detect the earthy molecule geosmin at about 100 parts per trillion and camels are so sensitive to it they can locate damp ground from roughly 50 miles away. More

During the phylloxera crisis of the nineteenth century, 90% of Europe’s vineyards were destroyed. More

In 2025, for La Vieille Ferme, also known as “The Chicken Wine”, sales surged by 49.4% to £110.8 million. More

In 2025, in the UK, Yellow Tail held the top position with sales, marking a 9.8% increase over the previous year. More

In 2024, the UK was the second-largest wine importer in volume and value. More

In 2024, the UK was the fifth-largest wine-consuming country globally. More

In 2025, global wine consumption continued its downward trend, estimated at 214.2 million hectolitres, the lowest since 1961. More

In 2025, online alcohol sales had a 20% increase in value over five years. More

In 2025, the number of UK vineyards rose to 1,104 and wineries to 238, with land under vine expanding to 4,841 hectares, a 510% increase since 2005. More

Moët Hennessy alone commands nearly 46.66% of the Champagne market, with the top three producers together holding about 61%, and the top five controlling over 72%. More

In 2024, the Champagne market was worth roughly €3.92 billion. More

In the marketing year 2023/24, white wine accounted for roughly 55% of Spain’s output, whereas red and rosé together made up about 45%. More

In the UK, 92% of wine is consumed within 48hrs of purchase. More

The majority of wines, 95%, use commercial rather than wild yeast. More

Between 0.5 and 10 litres of water, per litre of wine, are needed for cleaning during winemaking. More

Machine harvesting can achieve up to 100 tons of fruit per day vs 1 ton for a human. More

In Germany, 2025 was the smallest wine vintage since 2010. More

The majority of vineyards, 90% in 2019, are farmed with heavy chemical interventions. Only 6% are organic. More

90% of low and coastal areas in south Europe and California will no longer be able to produce good wine by the end of the century. More

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