News

Issues affecting the wine industry and the wine you drink

  • Augmented Reality for Wine Labelling

    Augmented Reality for Wine Labelling

    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

    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

    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

    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…

  • Independent Wine Retailers Resilient Amidst Market Challenges

    Independent Wine Retailers Resilient Amidst Market Challenges

    In recent years, the narrative surrounding independent wine retailers in the UK has been dominated by a sense of impending doom, fuelled by the aggressive competition from supermarkets with their convenience of next-day delivery. However, the latest figures from The Wine Merchant paint a surprisingly different picture, one of resilience and steadiness in a turbulent…

  • 2023 Wine Production Expected to be Smallest for Sixty Years

    2023 Wine Production Expected to be Smallest for Sixty Years

    The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has reported that the world wine production for 2023 is expected to be the smallest in over six decades due to severe climatic events affecting yields across the globe. The European Union anticipates a lower output, with Italy and Spain experiencing significant declines due to adverse weather…

  • New Marketing Campaign for Diablo Brand

    New Marketing Campaign for Diablo Brand

    Drinks Retailing has recently revealed that Concha y Toro, the large Chilean wine producer, is rolling out a fresh marketing campaign for its Diablo wine brand. The brand, which has seen a significant popularity, is now estimated to be worth a large £15 million in retail sales. One of the highlights of this campaign is…

  • How Interior Design Can Enhance the Enjoyment of Wine

    How Interior Design Can Enhance the Enjoyment of Wine

    Campo Viejo has recently unveiled a study that looks into the relationship between interior spaces and the enjoyment of the wine served within them. The study’s findings suggest that the design and ambiance of a space can significantly influence our sensory experiences, particularly when it comes to experiencing wine. The experiment, though small in scale,…

  • Flooding in South Africa Could Disrupt Your Favourite Wines

    Flooding in South Africa Could Disrupt Your Favourite Wines

    The South African wine industry is facing a new set of challenges that could potentially disrupt the supply and quality of wines from the region. According to a recent article on Wine Spectator, South African winemakers are grappling with flooding, which has caused significant damage to vineyards and infrastructure. This comes on top of the…

  • Tesco’s Finest Wine Labels Get a Makeover

    Tesco’s Finest Wine Labels Get a Makeover

    Drinks Retailing is reporting that Tesco has started to update the labels of its Finest range of wines. The move aims to enrich the customer experience by using the labels to tell the story behind each wine. This initiative is part of Tesco’s broader strategy to enhance its Finest packaging and offer consumers a more…

  • The Growth and Challenges of the Prosecco DOC Industry

    The Growth and Challenges of the Prosecco DOC Industry

    A new research paper “Dominant business models and sustainable long-term growth, A System Dynamics-based analysis of the Prosecco wine industry” (pdf) investigates the strong growth of the Prosecco (DOC) industry and its implications for long-term sustainability. The industry’s great rise can be attributed to a variety of factors. Regulatory changes in 2009 significantly expanded the…

  • French Winemakers Destroy Spanish Wine

    French Winemakers Destroy Spanish Wine

    The Telegraph newspaper has reported that, in a striking move against what they see as unfair competition, around 500 French wine makers from Narbonne and Perpignan stopped lorries importing Spanish wines at the border town of Boulou. They emptied thousands of gallons of rosé and smashed 10,000 bottles of Spanish sparkling wine on the roads….

  • Do Wine Reviews Matter?

    Do Wine Reviews Matter?

    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…

  • New UK Wine Reforms Announced

    New UK Wine Reforms Announced

    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…

  • The Wine Buying Experience in Specialist Wine Retailers

    The Wine Buying Experience in Specialist Wine Retailers

    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…

  • French Wine Gold Medal Insights

    French Wine Gold Medal Insights

    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…

  • Orange Wine is Breaking into the Mainstream

    Orange Wine is Breaking into the Mainstream

    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,…

  • Wine Buyers Want a Personal Touch for Subscriptions

    Wine Buyers Want a Personal Touch for Subscriptions

    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…

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

    Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Wine: The Bottle Weight Accord

    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…

  • Rapid Growth of Vineyards Bolsters England’s Agricultural Sector

    Rapid Growth of Vineyards Bolsters England’s Agricultural Sector

    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…

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Did You Know?

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

Local UK bottling of wine which 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