News
Issues affecting the wine industry and the wine you drink
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Majestic’s Organic Wine Sales Up 22%
Harpers is reporting that Majestic has experienced a 22% increase in organic wine sales in the first five months of its financial year compared to the same period last year. This growth is attributed to a shift in consumer preferences towards wines with positive environmental credentials. In response to the rising demand, Majestic has expanded…
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World’s Biggest Wine Producers by Country
A recent infographic crafted by Alberto Rojo Moro, drawing upon data from the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), offers a vivid portrayal of the global concentration of wine production. For those of us in the UK, it’s intriguing to observe that the distribution of wine production doesn’t necessarily mirror the variety of wines…
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WineGB Industry Report
The wine industry in England and Wales has been experiencing great growth, as evidenced by the recent WineGB Industry Survey (PDF). The WineGB Industry Survey received 155 responses, capturing 91% of wine production in Britain. This comprehensive data provides a clear snapshot of the current state of the industry and its potential for future growth….
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Vivino Changes UK Strategy
Vivino, the well-known wine scoring and recommendations app, is altering its ecommerce approach in the UK. Having grown from 27 million global users in 2018 to 65 million today, with 3 million of those in the UK, Vivino has decided to stop its direct wine sales in the UK. Instead, the company will rely on…
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European Union’s New Wine Regulations
The European Union’s regulatory changes, under Regulation (EU) 2021/2117, are set to take effect on December 8th, 2023. These changes are bound to also affect the labels of wines in the UK that are sold both domestically and within the EU. The EU regulations necessitate that wines sold in the European market declare comprehensive information…
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Waitrose to Cut Wine Shelf Space
The Drinks Business is reporting that Waitrose intends to cut down the shelf space dedicated to wine to accommodate an increased selection of alcohol-free products. Blue signage will mark designated areas for non-alcoholic options in 253 stores, increasing the space for these items by 60%. Pierpaolo Petrassi, head of beers, wines, and spirits at Waitrose,…
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Italy’s 2023 Wine Harvest in Jeopardy
Italy’s 2023 wine harvest is projected to decrease by up to 14% due to extreme weather conditions associated with climate change, including intense heat, storms and wildfires, according to agricultural group Coldiretti. An initial forecast predicts a national production of around 43 million hectolitres, down from 50 million in 2022, potentially marking one of the…
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New Kent Winery Planning Rejected
A planning inspector has backed Medway Council’s refusal to allow a £30 million winery, designed by Foster, in Kent. This would have been the UK’s largest winery. This recent decision is another setback for plans to establish a winery, café, and visitor centre in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) near the Cuxton village…
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Increases in UK Wine Duty
From August 1, 2023, the UK has a new taxation policy on alcohol, primarily based on the drink’s alcohol strength. This change is expected to cause an approximate 9% rise in duty for nearly 90% of all still wine. With an additional 10.1% duty increase linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI), wine drinkers are…
