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Issues affecting the wine industry and the wine you drink

  • Do Wine Reviews Matter?

    Do Wine Reviews Matter?

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    Simon Judge

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    There’s recent research (PDF) looking into the impact of peer preferences and expert reviews on consumer behaviour, specifically for products like wine that consumers can sample. Through two experimental studies, the research identified that when consumers taste wines, their own rating significantly influences their willingness to pay (WTP). A one-star increase in their rating can lead to an approximate $3 increase in WTP. Even after tasting, peer and expert ratings continue to play a role, with a one-star rise resulting in a $1.96 and $1.15 increase in WTP respectively. Interestingly, the study observed little difference in the weighting consumers give…

  • New UK Wine Reforms Announced

    New UK Wine Reforms Announced

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    Simon Judge

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    The UK government has announced a series of reforms aimed at boosting investment and easing regulatory burdens on the wine industry. Set to take effect in 2024, these changes are part of a broader strategy to modernise the sector and encourage sustainable practices. The reforms were announced are the result of a public consultation. The existing regulations governing the wine industry have long been considered cumbersome and restrictive. Feedback from industry stakeholders highlighted that the current 400-page rulebook has been stifling innovation and preventing the introduction of more efficient and sustainable practices. The reforms are designed to remove these constraints…

  • The Wine Buying Experience in Specialist Wine Retailers

    The Wine Buying Experience in Specialist Wine Retailers

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    Simon Judge

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    There’s an interesting new whitepaper titled “Wine Decisions: The Wine Buying Experience in Independent Specialist Wine Retailers” based on a research study conducted by KAM in collaboration with Hallgarten & Novum Wines, focusing on consumer behavior within the UK’s independent specialist wine retail sector. This study, involving 1,185 participants, explores the driving factors influencing consumer preferences and purchase decisions amidst economic challenges like rising inflation. The research reveals that despite financial tightening, value for money remains a crucial aspect for consumers while purchasing wine, but not strictly in terms of price. Consumers are attracted to specialist wine retailers due to…

  • French Wine Gold Medal Insights

    French Wine Gold Medal Insights

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    Simon Judge

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    The French online magazine TheLocal has an enlightening article (you can only view once before goes to paywall) on French wine gold medals that you might have seen on French wine bottles. In 2022, over 24,000 medals were awarded, originating from various wine competitions (les concours) held throughout France. These competitions require a fee for participation and wines are tasted blind by a panel of judges, typically four, who evaluate and score them. However, these medals do not guarantee quality. They indicate a group of judges found the wine superior to its peers in that particular competition. These medals are…

  • Orange Wine is Breaking into the Mainstream

    Orange Wine is Breaking into the Mainstream

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    Simon Judge

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    The Telegraph newspaper is explaining how orange wine is breaking into the mainstream. Once a niche taste favoured by few, orange wines are starting to go mainstream. They sit between red and white wines, although their vinification process sharply deviates from that of rosé. While rosé comes from red grapes handled much like white ones, orange wine is created from white grapes, but treated like red during vinification. The extended interaction between the juice and the skins, gives the wine with its characteristic amber hue, a noticeable viscosity and a unique texture. The tannins and flavours, extracted from the skin…

  • Wine Buyers Want a Personal Touch for Subscriptions

    Wine Buyers Want a Personal Touch for Subscriptions

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    Simon Judge

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    Recently, the wine subscription market has seen an increase in demand for a more personalised experience. Subscribers are no longer content with fixed selections and want curated choices that match with their unique palate. In a recent edition of the Subscription Commerce Readiness Report, The Loyalty Factor, PYMNTS Intelligence conducted a survey involving over 2,000 U.S. consumers with retail product subscriptions to grasp the factors influencing merchant choice and fostering enduring relationships. Subscribers are particularly keen on personalising the wines in their subscription box, a sentiment that seems stronger in this category than in others. They express a desire to…

  • Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Wine: The Bottle Weight Accord

    Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Wine: The Bottle Weight Accord

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    Simon Judge

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    The wine industry is increasingly under scrutiny for its environmental impact, particularly its carbon footprint. A recent report by Dr. Peter Stanbury, prepared for the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) (pdf), has shed light on the significant but often overlooked aspect of the weight of wine bottles. The report reveals that the single largest source of carbon emissions in the wine industry is the glass bottle. This is attributed to the energy-intensive manufacturing process and the emissions generated during transportation. To address this, the SWR has announced a Bottle Weight Accord which aims to reduce the average weight of a 750ml…

  • Rapid Growth of Vineyards Bolsters England’s Agricultural Sector

    Rapid Growth of Vineyards Bolsters England’s Agricultural Sector

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    Simon Judge

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    Vineyards have emerged as the fastest-growing edible agricultural sector in England, according to recent DEFRA statistics, with grapes now constituting 36% of the country’s soft fruit crop, marking a sector growth rate of 21% over the past year. Wines of Great Britain has reported a significant growth in vine plantings by 74% over five years to 4,300 hectares, and projections indicate that plantings might expand to 7,600 hectares by 2032, potentially yielding around 24.7 million bottles. An ambitious sustainability initiative has also been unveiled by WineGB aiming to lessen the industry’s carbon emissions and boost biodiversity across the UK’s vineyards.…

  • Crisis Distillation

    Crisis Distillation

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    Simon Judge

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    The Wine Economist is reporting that the concept of crisis distillation is resurfacing in the global wine industry. This practice involves government programmes buying surplus wine to convert it into industrial alcohol, aiming to stabilise wine prices and grower incomes. While it was a common practice in the European Union, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation today is different. The current wine surplus is more due to falling demand than excessive supply. The EU has attempted reforms to make the wine sector more market-driven, but the effectiveness of these measures is still uncertain. Crisis distillation is seen as a…

  • The French Wine Industry’s Battle Against Climate Change

    The French Wine Industry’s Battle Against Climate Change

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    Simon Judge

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    According to an article in Nature, the French wine industry, a major part of French culture and economy, is grappling with the challenges posed by climate change. With its strict appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) system, which sets rigid rules about geography, grape varieties, and production techniques, the industry faces unique challenges. However, French wine-growers are not waiting for legislative changes. Instead, they are proactively seeking innovative solutions to adapt to the new climate realities. Spring buds in vineyards are emerging earlier due to warming March temperatures but frosts are still common in April. To protect the buds, some vineyard owners…

  • New Free Rioja Wine Academy Course

    New Free Rioja Wine Academy Course

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    Simon Judge

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    The Rioja Wine Academy, backed by the Rioja DOCa Control Board, has launched a free introductory online course called Rioja Enthusiast. This course is the academy’s first aimed at consumers and wine lovers with no prior knowledge of wine. The course covers the fundamentals of Rioja wine in just four hours, including topics like reading labels and ​pairing wines. It’s divided into four chapters, and there’s no deadline for completion. Successful completion of the course will earn students an official certification. The academy hopes this course will serve as a stepping stone for further specialised training and aims to make…

  • Beware of Decoy Effects When Buying Wine

    Beware of Decoy Effects When Buying Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    New research titled Decoy Effects in a Massive Real-World Shopping Dataset focuses on the impact of ‘decoy’ options on consumer choices, specifically in the context of wine purchases in the UK. The study examined a large dataset of 3.6 million wine purchases made by 755,158 unique customers over a one-month period. In the situation where a consumer is torn between choosing a high-price, high-quality wine and a low-price, low-quality wine, the presence of a decoy option could tip the scales. According to the study, the introduction of an even more inferior decoy wine that is both more expensive and of…

  • Spain’s Historic Low Wine Harvest

    Spain’s Historic Low Wine Harvest

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    Simon Judge

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    Spain’s wine industry is grappling with its smallest harvest ever recorded, largely due to a series of extreme weather events. The 2023 grape harvest has been severely impacted by droughts, hail storms and heat waves, affecting vineyards across the country. Spain is expected to produce only 34.25 million hectolitres of grapes this year, representing a 16.6% decline compared to 2022. The situation is particularly dire in hot, dry regions like Catalonia, the Canary Islands and Castile-La Mancha. Catalonia’s Penedès region, known for its Cava production, is experiencing an unprecedented drought, with vines shriveling up due to lack of rain. The…

  • Scots to Be Forced to Pay at Least £6 a Bottle

    Scots to Be Forced to Pay at Least £6 a Bottle

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    Simon Judge

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    The Telegraph is reporting that The Scottish National Party (SNP) has announced plans to increase the minimum price for a bottle of wine to £6. The decision comes in the wake of a surge in alcohol-related deaths and harm in Scotland, which have reached their highest levels in 14 years. The SNP’s drugs and alcohol policy minister stated that this rise in alcohol-related issues is the primary reason behind the price hike. The announcement has sparked debate, especially considering the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. It’s questionable whether the price increase will actually lead to a decrease in alcohol-related deaths and harm…

  • Increase in British Vineyard Buying Demand

    Increase in British Vineyard Buying Demand

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    Simon Judge

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    Barrons/Penta is reporting that the United Kingdom is witnessing a surge in interest in winemaking, positioning it as the fastest-growing wine region globally. This increasing interest has led to a significant demand for British wine estates. The southeast England is experiencing a spike in demand for vineyards and undeveloped land suitable for viticulture, from international producers to individual wine enthusiasts. Recently, the California-based wine giant, Jackson Family Wines, ventured into the English viticulture sector. Jackson owns over 40 wineries across various countries and has plans to produce sparkling wine in Kent. Additionally, they’ve acquired 65 acres in Essex with intentions…

  • Research into Words That Describe Wine

    Research into Words That Describe Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    There’s new research (PDF) from Maria Kana of Linnaeus University into the language used in wine reviews, particularly the adoption of standardised wine vocabularies like the Wine Aroma Wheel (WAW) and the Wine Lexicon of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET). The study aimed to understand how closely professional wine reviewers stick to these standard lexicons versus opting for individual expression. The research revealed that 65.79% of terms used in reviews adhered to the WSET vocabulary, which is frequently updated to reflect current industry practices. In contrast, terms adhering to the older WAW framework, last updated in 1987, accounted…

  • Italy Loses Wine-making Leadership to France

    Italy Loses Wine-making Leadership to France

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    Simon Judge

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    Reuters is reporting on the decline in wine production in Italy. The wine output in Italy is expected to decrease by 12% this year (2023), falling below 44 million hectolitres. This significant drop is attributed to extreme weather conditions and fungal diseases that have adversely affected the vineyards. As a result of this decline, Italy has lost its leadership position in wine-making to France. However, the concern isn’t primarily about Italy losing its lead in wine production volumes and is instead suffering more from the decline in both local and international demand.

  • Why is There a Global Wine Glut?

    Why is There a Global Wine Glut?

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    Simon Judge

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    Mike Veseth has a thought-provoking article on Theories of the Global Wine Glut. The world seems to be overflowing with surplus wine. In Australia, there’s an estimation that suggests that the surplus could fill 859 Olympic-size swimming pools which translates to roughly 2.8 billion bottles. In France, the government has set aside two hundred million euros for crisis distillation. This means surplus wine will be purchased to maintain local prices and then distilled into industrial alcohol. While wine surplus isn’t a new phenomenon, the current situation seems different. Historically, wine, being an agricultural product, has seen periodic booms and busts.…

  • How Consumers Select Wine

    How Consumers Select Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    A recent survey, documented on Forbes by one of the researchers Liz Thach, MW, has shed light on the preferences of wine consumers in three major markets: the U.S., Australia, and Italy. The study, conducted in May 2023, highlighted that in all three countries, the taste of the wine was prioritised over its price. Prior experience with a particular wine was a significant indicator of future choices. Interestingly, while Australian and U.S. consumers often based their decisions on price if they hadn’t tasted the wine, Italians were more influenced by the food they intended to pair with the wine. The…

  • Climate Change Threatens Prosecco

    Climate Change Threatens Prosecco

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    Simon Judge

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    Climate change is posing a severe threat to Prosecco, according to recent research published in the iScience journal. Originating from Italy’s mountainous vineyards, Prosecco has seen a decline in grape yields due to extreme weather conditions and soil degradation. The risk extends beyond losing an agricultural product as it also threatens entire communities’ history and cultural roots. Extreme weather events, including sudden, intense rainfall and droughts, are making it increasingly difficult for Prosecco producers. These conditions lead to soil erosion and slope failures in the steep vineyards of Northern Italy. This year, the vineyards experienced massive spring rainfall and hailstones,…

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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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