Digest #10

Jamie George embraces English Sparkling ahead of Six Nations

Nyetimber has appointed former England rugby captain Jamie George as brand ambassador, following the sparkling wine producer's announcement as official partner of England Rugby ahead of the 2026 Six Nations. The campaign celebrates George's two-decade career with content filmed at Hertford RFC, where his rugby journey began, and features Nyetimber's iconic Routemaster Bus. The partnership also highlights grassroots rugby, with Nyetimber recently becoming official sparkling wine partner of Richmond Rugby Club.

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LCB shares the secret to world-class service

London City Bond, one of the UK's leading bonded warehouses for wine and spirits, credits its staff loyalty and workplace culture for delivering reliable service during the hectic Christmas peak season. The company, which has nearly 40 years of experience, maintains an impressive average employee tenure of over 10 years, unusual for the logistics sector, by investing in staff development and fostering a positive working environment. For wine importers and merchants relying on smooth distribution, LCB's operational strength matters directly to their ability to get stock to customers on time.

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BBR auctions ‘treasure trove’ from the cellars of the Berry and Rudd families

Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain's oldest fine wine merchant, is holding an auction of exceptional wines sourced directly from the cellars of the Berry and Rudd families. The online sale, closing on 3 February, features remarkable bottles spanning two centuries including a 1966 Château Cheval Blanc and rare vintages, with proceeds from the Family Reserve being reinvested into the collection. A real highlight is three miniature bottles of 1911 Mumm Champagne originally created for Queen Mary's Dolls' House in 1924, which have never been publicly offered for sale before.

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WINEGB KICKS OFF 2026 AT WINE PARIS WITH BIGGEST STAND YET

WineGB is bringing its largest ever stand to Wine Paris (February 2026), with 16 English wine producers showcasing their offerings to international buyers and press. They're shipping 4.2 tonnes of wine to the show and launching their first international 'Create New Traditions – Drink English Wine' campaign, capitalising on a strong year for exports that surged 35% in 2025. The event includes an exclusive reception in Paris's Faubourg Saint-Germain to help producers connect with key distributors and importers across European and global markets.

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Amber Gardner: ‘We are seeing a shift back towards the known, the familiar and, ultimately, the comforting’

The UK wine trade is witnessing a shift back towards classical wines and familiar Old World regions after a decade of experimentation with natural wines, orange wines, and obscure varietals. According to industry insider Amber Gardner, consumers and trade professionals are now seeking the comfort of established grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, alongside traditional European appellations. This move suggests that the 'rule-breaking' phase of wine culture may be giving way to a new appreciation for timeless, recognisable wines.

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Global wine crisis hits Europe hard, especially France

Europe's wine industry is facing significant challenges as a global wine crisis takes particular hold across the continent, with France experiencing especially severe impacts. This story highlights broader market pressures affecting major EU wine producers and the wider industry landscape. Understanding these trends is crucial for anyone following European wine market developments.

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Burgundy 2024: Dog of a Year Bites Back

Burgundy's 2024 vintage proved challenging, but winemakers managed to produce wines worth drinking despite difficult growing conditions. The real story isn't necessarily about exceptional quality, but rather the achievement of making wine at all in what sounds like a tricky year for the region. For those following Burgundy closely, this vintage report offers insight into how one of Europe's most prestigious wine areas weathered whatever Mother Nature threw at it.

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Rare January Freeze Revives Croatia’s Ice Wine Harvest After Years of Warmer Winters

Croatia's winemakers have had a rare treat this January as an unusual cold snap has brought back conditions perfect for ice wine production. After several years of warmer winters made the harvest impossible, this freeze has revived a traditional production method that's been dormant in the region. It's a timely reminder of how climate patterns continue to shape European wine production in unexpected ways.

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Why wine tourism matters more than ever: FINE 2026 heads back to Spain

Spain's FINE wine tourism fair is returning to Valladolid this March with over 140 wineries, hotels and tourism operators gathering to showcase their offerings to international buyers. Now in its seventh edition, the event has become a key platform for EU wine tourism professionals looking to strengthen their position in global markets. There's an exciting new addition this year too, with olive oil tourism being incorporated to complement the wine offering and create a more integrated agritourism experience.

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Barcelona Wine Week 2026 First Time with 1,300 Wineries - Trade Fair Focuses on International Guests

Barcelona Wine Week is gearing up for its biggest year yet in 2026, with over 1,300 wineries set to showcase their wines from February 2 to 4. That's a 4% jump from 2025, highlighting the trade fair's growing importance as Spain's leading wine event and its appeal to international buyers looking to discover Spanish wines.

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Meet the scientist determined to save the wine industry from mildew

A European scientist is working on solutions to protect vineyards from mildew, one of the wine industry's most persistent problems. Mildew damages vines and has traditionally required heavy use of fungicides, so innovative approaches to tackling it could benefit both winemakers and the environment. It's a reminder of how European research is helping the wine industry adapt to its biggest challenges.

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Sustainable Wine Roundtable adds five new signatories to Bottle Weight Accord

The Sustainable Wine Roundtable has welcomed five new signatories to its Bottle Weight Accord, an initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of wine packaging. The growing commitment from industry players shows that European winemakers are taking tangible steps to cut their carbon footprint through lighter bottle design and more sustainable packaging practices.

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Jane Anson The Wine Podcast: Single Vineyard Champagne Explained. Part 1

Wine expert Jane Anson explores the growing phenomenon of single vineyard Champagnes in a new podcast episode, using Clos Lanson as an example of what makes these expressions so special and sought-after. It's a fascinating look at how Champagne producers are creating more distinctive, terroir-focused wines that stand out from traditional blended offerings. If you're curious about what's happening in premium Champagne production, this is worth a listen.

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Does the science support ‘Dry January’?

A new analysis explores whether Dry January actually delivers the health benefits people expect. The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking's chief executive reveals that while the science supports reflecting on your drinking habits, short-term abstinence is less effective than adopting sustainable moderate drinking patterns throughout the year. Rather than an all-or-nothing approach, the research suggests the real benefit comes from finding a balanced relationship with alcohol that you can maintain long-term.

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First Wine Barrels Made of Wood and Stone Introduced - More Freshness in Wine than in Classic Barrique

Austrian cooperage Schön has unveiled the wine industry's first hybrid barriques, combining wood and stone in a single barrel. Wines aged in these innovative vessels reportedly taste fresher and fruitier compared to those from traditional wooden barrels, potentially offering producers a new tool for achieving desired flavour profiles.

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