Digest #30

WineGB Awards reveal growing diversity of English and Welsh wine

English and Welsh winemakers are branching out well beyond their sparkling wine roots, according to the 2026 WineGB Awards. The competition assessed 372 wines and revealed judges are increasingly seeing diverse styles including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and innovative disease-resistant varieties like Divico and Cabernet Jura. Expert Peter Richards MW noted the growing ambition among producers is 'really exciting', suggesting the UK wine sector is becoming more confident in exploring new expressions while building on its traditional strengths.

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Rare Grapes, New Regions and Still Wines Shake Up WineGB Awards

The 2026 WineGB Awards have revealed a maturing UK wine industry that's branching out in exciting ways. Still wines have now surpassed sparkling wines in both entries and medals for the second consecutive year, whilst producers are experimenting with 24 different grape varieties, including ones previously thought unsuitable for the British climate like Gamay and Sauvignon Blanc. The results also show a shifting regional landscape, with emerging areas like Hampshire and Dorset producing some of the competition's best wines, challenging the traditional dominance of Kent and Sussex.

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Richard Esling On the Grapevine : The sparkling revolution: Southern England has become a world-class wine region

Southern England is experiencing a sparkling wine revolution and has now established itself as a genuinely world-class wine region. The region's success with sparkling wines represents a significant shift in the UK's wine industry and growing international recognition of English producers. This development reflects broader trends in UK wine production and the quality standards English winemakers are now achieving on the global stage.

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Champagne-baiting English wine brand invites public investment

Kent-based rosé specialist Folc is opening its doors to public investors as it scales up operations across hospitality, retail and direct sales. The brand has already raised over £870,000 from more than 125 investors and has seen its revenue double in the past year, with wines now served in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels. Founded in 2019, Folc operates a négociant model, sourcing grapes from South East growers rather than owning vineyards, and founder Tom Cannon believes English rosé could become one of the country's defining modern wine categories.

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Britain Unveils £61 Million Fund to Help Communities Buy Threatened Pubs

The British government has launched a £61 million fund to help communities purchase pubs that are at risk of closing. This is good news for the wine industry, as pubs remain one of the largest retail channels for wine sales in the UK, and securing their future helps protect an important market for wine merchants and producers.

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Rediscovering Wine's Magic Triangle

A fascinating story about a hidden corner of Europe where grapes and terroir create their own unofficial wine region, completely unconcerned with borders and regulations. This nameless super-region proves that nature's logic often trumps human geography when it comes to quality wine production. It's a reminder that some of Europe's most interesting wine stories exist in the spaces between traditional wine regions.

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The heat rises and the wine lowers the alcohol: how is this possible?

As temperatures climb across European vineyards, winemakers are discovering an unexpected advantage: grapes are producing wines with lower alcohol content despite the heat. This counter-intuitive trend offers a glimpse into how the wine industry is adapting to climate change, with producers potentially able to craft more balanced wines even as conditions grow warmer. It's an intriguing development that challenges traditional assumptions about heat and alcohol levels in wine.

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Wine generated 46.7% of Italy's food and beverage trade surplus in 2025

Italy's wine sector continues to punch above its weight economically, accounting for nearly half of the country's food and beverage trade surplus in 2025. This impressive figure underscores just how vital wine exports are to Italy's economy and reinforces the country's position as one of Europe's leading wine producers. It's a strong indicator of sustained demand for Italian wines in international markets.

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The Trouble with Gewürztraminer

Cantina Tramin in Italy's Alto Adige region, often credited as the birthplace of Gewürztraminer, offers a fascinating look at how wine cooperatives can thrive. The winery's 160 member families pool their tiny individual vineyards to achieve scale and quality, having made a bold shift from bulk production to premium wines about 50 years ago. It's a success story that shows how cooperation and a focus on terroir and quality grapes can help small-scale producers compete effectively in today's market.

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Can the Algarve ever rival the Douro as one of Portugal’s greatest wine regions?

The Algarve is emerging as a serious contender in Portugal's wine scene, but can it truly compete with the prestigious Douro Valley? This article explores whether the Algarve has what it takes to carve out its own reputation as one of Portugal's finest wine regions, examining the potential and challenges facing this up-and-coming area.

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Another Wine Giant Goes B Corp. Is Certification Becoming a Competitive Necessity?

Another major Spanish wine producer has joined the growing number of European wine companies pursuing B Corp certification, scoring well above the required threshold. The trend raises an interesting question for the industry: is certification becoming something producers need to stay competitive? It's a sign of how seriously the wine world is taking its sustainability credentials these days.

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Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 results revealed: Global wine quality reaches new heights

The Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 has revealed its results, with organisers noting that global wine quality has reached impressive new heights. As one of the wine industry's most respected international competitions, the awards showcase top producers and wines from around the world. The results offer valuable insights into current quality standards and emerging trends across the global wine market.

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World wine tourism will continue to grow, and by 2023, it will brush against 119.7 billion euros - WineNews

Global wine tourism is booming and is set to reach €119.7 billion by 2023, according to new market research. Europe's iconic wine regions in Italy, France and Spain are leading the charge, whilst Asia-Pacific destinations are also experiencing strong growth. The figures highlight how wine tourism has become a major economic driver for the wine industry worldwide.

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Ancient DNA proves Chianti was once a white wine mecca

Scientists studying 2,000-year-old grape seeds found in Chianti have discovered that the famous Tuscan region was once known for white wines, not reds. DNA analysis of 80 seeds revealed that a single white grape variety was carefully cultivated by the Etruscans and Romans for centuries before the region eventually became the red wine powerhouse we know today. The research also identified links between ancient Chianti grapes and varieties still grown in Eastern Europe today.

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Researchers Unveil Open-Source Tool to Predict Grapevine Yield and Fruit Quality

Researchers have developed a free, open-source tool that helps vineyard managers predict their grapevine yields and fruit quality before harvest. This kind of technology is a game-changer for producers, allowing them to make better decisions about timing and resource management whilst reducing uncertainty caused by unpredictable weather and growing conditions.

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