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Issues affecting the wine industry and the wine you drink

  • AI-Assisted Wine Discovery

    AI-Assisted Wine Discovery

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    Simon Judge

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    Last year, the BBC highlighted the growing trend of AI-powered wine recommendation apps, such as FinpåVin, which are changing the way people select their next bottle of wine. However, Sippd, a notable application in this field, has recently shut down, raising doubts about the necessity of such technology for simplifying the process of choosing wine….

  • Young Britons Lead the Surge in Low and No Alcohol Drinks

    Young Britons Lead the Surge in Low and No Alcohol Drinks

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    Simon Judge

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    Harpers is reporting revealing insight into the changing habits of UK drinkers. The latest YouGov poll, conducted in partnership with the Portman Group, has highlighted a significant shift towards low and no alcohol beverages, particularly among the younger generation. The survey, now in its sixth year, shows that nearly half of the 18-24 age group,…

  • Turning Winery Wastes into Wealth

    Turning Winery Wastes into Wealth

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    Simon Judge

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    There’s new, interesting research from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, into the waste products, wine residues, from creating wine and how they can can be re-used to provide for more sustainable production. Wine residues are a complex mix of grape stalks, pomace (the solid remains of grape pressing), lees and wastewater. They are not just…

  • Redefining Wine Marketing

    Redefining Wine Marketing

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    Simon Judge

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    Lulie Halstead, a prominent figure in the wine business, recently addressed the New Zealand Winegrowers Business Forum, sharing valuable insights from her 25-year experience in the industry. She highlighted a common mistake in wine marketing: the tendency of marketers to project their own preferences onto consumers, leading to a misalignment between what is offered and…

  • Italy Launches Campaign to Educate Britons on Prosecco Label

    Italy Launches Campaign to Educate Britons on Prosecco Label

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    Simon Judge

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    Italy has initiated a campaign to educate Britons on the correct use of the term ‘Prosecco’. The Italian DOC Consortium launched an advertising campaign in London emphasising that Prosecco is a geographically protected label, reserved for sparkling wines produced in specific Italian regions. The campaign, displayed in over 80 locations in London, aims to reach…

  • Pint-Sized Wine Bottles for the UK

    Pint-Sized Wine Bottles for the UK

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    Simon Judge

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    The BBC has an article describing a forthcoming change in the UK’s regulations regarding the size of wine bottles post-Brexit. The government has announced that still and sparkling wines will be available in pint-sized (568ml) bottles. This change, resulting from the departure from EU laws, is aimed at offering more variety to consumers. Previously, EU…

  • How Pesticide Residues Affect Wine Flavour

    How Pesticide Residues Affect Wine Flavour

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    Simon Judge

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    A new study investigates the effect of imidacloprid, a common insecticide, on wine aroma and its transformation during the wine-making process. Imidacloprid is widely used in grape cultivation to control pests, but its residues can significantly impact the quality of wine. The research involved applying imidacloprid to grapes at standard and ten times the standard…

  • Britain’s Record-Breaking 2023 Grape Harvest

    Britain’s Record-Breaking 2023 Grape Harvest

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    Simon Judge

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    WineGB has released ‘2023 Harvest Report – the big one‘ (PDF). The report estimates a production of 20-22 million bottles, a very large 50% increase from the previous record year in 2018. This bountiful harvest is attributed to exceptional performance from the top grape varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Bacchus – with the…

  • Unlocking the Secrets of Tannins

    Unlocking the Secrets of Tannins

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    Simon Judge

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    Tannins in wines, particularly red wines, are compounds that contribute significantly to the taste, colour, and texture of the wine. New research looks into the complex world of these compounds, specifically proanthocyanidins (PAs). Proanthocyanidins are a group of polyphenolic compounds found in many plants, including grapes. The article explains that PAs in red wine are…

  • Court of Master Sommeliers Abandons ‘Old/New World’ Terms

    Court of Master Sommeliers Abandons ‘Old/New World’ Terms

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    Simon Judge

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    Forbes is reporting that The Court of Master Sommeliers has announced that it will no longer use the terms ‘Old World’ and ‘New World’ in its published materials or examination assessments from 2024. This decision reflects the Court’s commitment to historical accuracy, reducing cultural bias, and acknowledging the growing difficulty in distinguishing between Old and…

  • EU Wine Consumption Decline and Export Uncertainties

    EU Wine Consumption Decline and Export Uncertainties

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    Simon Judge

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    A new report from the EU, ‘EU Agricultural Outlook 2023 – 2035’ discusses the ongoing decline in EU wine consumption, a trend attributed to increased health awareness, changing preferences among younger consumers and competition from other beverages. This decline, particularly notable in red wines, varies across EU countries due to cultural and social factors. The…

  • Exploring Reductive Aromas in Wine

    Exploring Reductive Aromas in Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    A recent article from SevenFifty Daily, written by Alex Russan, looks intothe complex topic of reductive aromas in wine, a subject that has polarised opinions in the wine industry. Reduction, chemically the opposite of oxidation, refers to the presence of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) in wine, often resulting from limited oxygen exposure. These compounds, which…

  • White and Rosé Now More Than Half of Global Consumption

    White and Rosé Now More Than Half of Global Consumption

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    Simon Judge

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    A new article in Decanter, written by Rudy Ruitenberg, discusses the growing global consumption of white and rosé wines, which now accounts for more than half of the total wine consumption. This shift has been observed since 2010, with a notable increase in the demand for sparkling wine. The decline in red wine consumption, which…

  • How Many Grapes in a Bottle of Wine?

    How Many Grapes in a Bottle of Wine?

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    Simon Judge

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    An article from Food and Wine, titled “You’ll Be Surprised by How Many Grapes it Takes to Make One Bottle of Wine,” explains the varying quantities of grapes required to produce different types of wine. On average, 1.25 to 1.50 kilograms of grapes, which can be anywhere from 600 to 800 or even thousands of…

  • Researchers Have Taught AI to Understand Wine Tasting

    Researchers Have Taught AI to Understand Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    There has been a significant advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) related to wine tasting. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen’s Pioneer Centre for AI, along with collaborators from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Caltech, have successfully trained an algorithm to predict individual wine preferences based on human taste perceptions. The study explains how…

  • Innovations and Trends in Modern Food and Wine Pairing

    Innovations and Trends in Modern Food and Wine Pairing

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    Simon Judge

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    A new study titled “Exploring the Sensory Synergy of Gastronomy: A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Trends and Practices in Food and Wine Pairing” provides an in-depth analysis of the evolving landscape of gastronomy, with a focus on the art of food and wine pairing in contemporary culinary practices. The study employs both qualitative and quantitative…

  • Augmented Reality for Wine Labelling

    Augmented Reality for Wine Labelling

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    Simon Judge

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    Researchers in Greece have explored the use of Augmented Reality (AR) technologies in the marketing of wine, specifically focusing on the creation of innovative consumer-oriented experiences through augmented ‘live’ wine labels. AR apps allow users to interact with wine labels in a novel way. The research (PDF) aims to assess the impact of AR smartphone…

  • Factors That Determine Wine Quality

    Factors That Determine Wine Quality

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    Simon Judge

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    A recent study “Machine Learning for Predicting Wine Quality and its Key Determinants Based on Physicochemical Properties” (PDF download) by Domonkos Frigyes Török, explores the role of various properties in determining wine quality. Sulphates, pivotal in the wine’s preservation and flavour profile, actually play a dual role as both preservatives and taste enhancers. They contribute…

  • The Role of Quercetin in Red Wine Headaches

    The Role of Quercetin in Red Wine Headaches

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    Simon Judge

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    Headaches triggered by red wine, commonly known as ‘red wine headaches’, is the focus of a study by UC Davis scientists. They suggest that these headaches, which can occur within minutes to a few hours after drinking even a small glass of red wine, might be due to a flavanol called quercetin. This substance, found…

  • The End of an Era: Oddbins Closes Its Physical Stores

    The End of an Era: Oddbins Closes Its Physical Stores

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    Simon Judge

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    Harpers is reporting that the renowned wine retailer Oddbins has taken a significant turn by closing the physical aspect of its business, signalling the end of an era for a brand that was once a staple on UK high streets. Oddbins, known for its diverse and quality wine offerings, faced challenges in regaining its pre-pandemic…

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