Digest #22

Growing knowledge, growing yield: British wine-making comes of age

British wine-making is experiencing a genuine coming of age, with producers gaining the expertise and techniques needed to boost both quality and yields. This marks a significant shift from the UK wine industry's early days, as growers increasingly master their craft and establish more reliable, competitive production. It's a timely look at how the sector is maturing into a serious player in the global wine market.

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5forests Acquires Wine Cellar Door, Completing an End-to-End Platform for the Wine Customer Journey - Wine Cellar Door

Wine Cellar Door has been acquired by 5forests, bringing together marketing agency services, research capabilities, and consumer discovery tools under one platform. The deal also opens doors for Wine Cellar Door to expand into four new markets, strengthening its position in helping wine businesses connect with customers across the entire buying journey.

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‘It’s the perfect opportunity!’: Four friends take over ‘dream’ Kent vineyard

Four friends have taken the reins at a Kent vineyard in what they're calling the perfect opportunity to build their dream wine business. The story highlights how younger entrepreneurs are increasingly investing in and taking over established vineyards across England's growing wine regions. It's an encouraging sign of confidence in the UK wine industry and shows there's genuine enthusiasm for developing quality wine production in the country.

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Wine and spirits sector hits back at tax as duty revenues fall

The wine and spirits industry is pushing back against what trade bodies are calling the UK's 'uniquely punitive' excise duty regime. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is arguing that current tax levels are out of step with other markets, and they're backing their case with evidence that duty revenues are actually falling. It's a timely reminder of the tax pressures facing UK wine businesses.

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A celebration of vineyards of the Surrey Hills

The Vineyards of the Surrey Hills collective is launching its first dedicated wine week from 30 May to 7 June 2026, bringing together seven regional vineyards including Denbies Wine Estate and Albury Organic Vineyard. The event will feature tastings, vineyard tours, and wine festivals across the North Downs, showcasing English sparkling wines, whites, rosés and reds against the backdrop of the Surrey Hills landscape. It's a celebration of how England's wine regions are increasingly collaborating to attract visitors and showcase the quality of their wines.

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'It’s not the taste of wine that turns young drinkers away, it’s everything around wine' - German Wine Institute's head of national & international marketing, Steffen Schindler

According to the German Wine Institute's head of marketing, the real problem isn't that young people don't like wine's taste, it's the baggage and perceptions surrounding wine culture that put them off. In an interview with Global Drinks Intel, Steffen Schindler explores how the wine industry needs to rethink its approach to engaging younger drinkers by reconsidering everything from branding to lifestyle positioning. It's a timely perspective on one of the industry's biggest challenges.

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Belgium's Wine Output Hits a Record 4.3 Million Liters

Belgium's wine industry has achieved a new milestone, producing 4.3 million litres at record levels. This marks another strong year for the country's emerging wine sector, which has been steadily gaining recognition across Europe. The achievement highlights how changing climate patterns and investment in viticulture are helping Belgium establish itself as a notable wine-producing nation.

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France Distills 120 Million Liters of Red and Rosé Wine - 40 Million Euros in State Support

France is distilling 120 million litres of wine into industrial alcohol with €40 million in government support, a move that reflects struggling domestic consumption and weak export demand. That's roughly 160 million bottles being converted rather than sold as wine, highlighting real challenges facing French producers. The state intervention underscores how serious the market downturn has become across Europe's largest wine-producing nation.

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Ancient DNA Traces France's Winegrowing to the Bronze Age

Scientists have used ancient DNA analysis to trace France's winemaking heritage back to the Bronze Age, revealing the deep historical roots of the country's viticultural traditions. This discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into how wine production shaped European civilisation and adds another layer to our understanding of France's legendary wine culture. It's a reminder that the regions producing world-class wines today have been perfecting their craft for thousands of years.

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European Researchers Launch Wine Project to Cut Emissions

European researchers have launched BluWine, a four-year project aimed at helping wine producers cut emissions, water usage and chemical inputs across the entire supply chain. Led by Italian institutions with support from international partners, the initiative tackles the wine industry's growing environmental challenges whilst maintaining quality and efficiency. It's a promising sign that the sector is taking sustainability seriously with concrete research-backed solutions.

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The Wine Industry is Dying Because It Forgot It’s a Business

A Spanish wine publication is raising the alarm about the wine industry losing sight of basic business principles. The piece argues that despite wine's rich cultural heritage, producers and businesses need to refocus on commercial viability and sound business practices to ensure the industry's long-term survival. It's a candid look at what's going wrong behind the romance of winemaking.

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AI hype or reality? Wine sector weighs its next move

Industry-wide analysis of AI technology adoption in wine sector, examining how wineries are engaging with emerging technology for discovery and operations. Relevant to market trends and innovation in the wine industry.

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‘Legendary’ Glamis Castle Château Lafite 1870 sets new record

Two magnums of 1870 Château Lafite Rothschild from the historic cellars of Scotland's Glamis Castle have smashed auction records at Sotheby's New York, with the pair selling for a combined $306,250, more than five times their pre-sale estimate. Stored undisturbed for nearly a century in immaculate conditions, the bottles represent some of the finest pre-phylloxera wine ever sold, with the second magnum never even recorked. The sale, which featured a roll call of Bordeaux's most celebrated vintages, achieved 100% sell-through and proved the continued strength of the collector's market for historic fine wine.

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Adelaide Researchers Find Wine Process Can Cut Smoke Taint

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a wine production process that can help reduce smoke taint, a growing problem for vineyards affected by wildfires. This breakthrough could be particularly valuable as European wine regions increasingly face wildfire risks due to climate change. The findings offer winemakers a practical tool to protect their harvests when smoke exposure threatens grape quality.

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Wasps Help Seed Grapes With Yeast

New research reveals that wasps play a surprisingly important role in helping grapes develop the wild yeasts needed for fermentation. As they move between grape bunches, these insects naturally seed grapes with beneficial yeast strains, which could explain some of the complexity in natural and spontaneous fermentations. It's a fascinating reminder of how vineyard biodiversity influences winemaking at the most fundamental level.

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