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Issues affecting the wine industry and the wine you drink

  • Chilled Red Wines Are Reshaping Trends

    Chilled Red Wines Are Reshaping Trends

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    Simon Judge

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    The UK recently experienced one of its wettest Julys on record and this has had a surprising impact on wine sales. Waitrose, a prominent supermarket chain, has reported a significant increase in red wine purchases, particularly those that can be enjoyed chilled. The trend has even found its way onto social media platforms like TikTok,…

  • A Gradual UK Duty Rate Rise

    A Gradual UK Duty Rate Rise

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    Simon Judge

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    If you’ve been visiting the wine shops over the past month, you may have noticed something peculiar. Despite the recent duty hike, not all wine prices have gone up. In some instances, like at Asda, prices initially remained stable, with a few wines experiencing a, greater than duty change, surge much more recently. Meanwhile, The…

  • Wine Tasters’ Sensory Response to Flower Arrangements

    Wine Tasters’ Sensory Response to Flower Arrangements

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    Simon Judge

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    Dr Heber Rodrigues led a study from the UK Centre for Excellence on Wine Education, Training and Research at Plumpton College in East Sussex. The research, published in the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, explored the intertwined history of flower and wine arrangements. The study aimed to understand how the colour composition of…

  • Unprecedented Declines in Chilean Wine Exports Including to UK

    Unprecedented Declines in Chilean Wine Exports Including to UK

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    Simon Judge

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    Chile has experienced a significant drop in wine exports during the first half of 2023. The decline amounted to 20 million boxes and 584 million dollars, marking a 24% decrease in both volume and value compared to the same timeframe in 2022. All ten of Chile’s primary wine-consuming markets have seen a decline in wine…

  • UK Wine Regulation to Change

    UK Wine Regulation to Change

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    Simon Judge

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    The UK government recently closed its Smarter Regulation: Wine Reforms Consultation on 21st July 2023. The consultation aimed to simplify the existing 400-page rulebook governing wine production and trade in Great Britain. The current regulations are seen as overly complex and hindering innovation, including practices that could reduce carbon emissions. The proposed reforms aim to…

  • Majestic’s Organic Wine Sales Up 22%

    Majestic’s Organic Wine Sales Up 22%

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • World’s Biggest Wine Producers by Country

    World’s Biggest Wine Producers by Country

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • WineGB Industry Report

    WineGB Industry Report

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    Simon Judge

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    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….

  • Vivino Changes UK Strategy

    Vivino Changes UK Strategy

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • European Union’s New Wine Regulations

    European Union’s New Wine Regulations

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • Waitrose to Cut Wine Shelf Space

    Waitrose to Cut Wine Shelf Space

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    Simon Judge

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    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,…

  • Italy’s 2023 Wine Harvest in Jeopardy

    Italy’s 2023 Wine Harvest in Jeopardy

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • New Kent Winery Planning Rejected

    New Kent Winery Planning Rejected

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • Increases in UK Wine Duty

    Increases in UK Wine Duty

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

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