Blogs Articles - Wine Industry Digest

Flor: digging deeper into this remarkable layer of yeast that grows on the surface of wine

Australia & New Zealand Wine Anorak Oct 8, 2026 Blogs

Jamie Goode explores flor, the remarkable layer of yeast that floats on the surface of fortified wines and gives sherry its distinctive character. The article uses a tasting of new Loosen-Barry collaboration wines from Clare Valley as a springboard to examine how this natural phenomenon works and why it matters for winemakers. It's a detailed look at the science and tradition behind one of wine's most fascinating natural processes.

Read more From Digest #46

Wine clubs: the good, the bad and the ugly

UK Andy Neather Oct 7, 2026 Blogs

Wine clubs can be brilliant for exploring new bottles, but not all of them are created equal. Andy Neather takes a close look at which UK wine clubs are genuinely worth joining and which ones you'd be better off avoiding, so you know where to spend your subscription money. He's also sharing what he's been drinking this week for some extra inspiration.

Read more From Digest #46

Thieves steal grapes from an English vineyard, but the big question is why isn’t grape theft more common?

UK Wine Anorak Oct 6, 2026 Blogs

A recent theft at an English vineyard has raised an interesting question: with grape harvests representing a year's worth of hard work and income sitting unprotected in open fields, why aren't vineyard robberies more common? The incident highlights a genuine vulnerability in wine production that many growers may not have seriously considered.

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Wine Book Reviews: Maps, Menus, and Much, Much More

You might also like Wine Economist Oct 6, 2026 Blogs

The World Atlas of Wine has just released its 9th edition, and Wine Economist has reviewed this major reference work alongside other new wine titles. Since the last edition in 2019, the wine world has shifted considerably, making this updated atlas a timely resource for anyone tracking global wine trends and production changes.

Read more From Digest #46

‘The biggest disruption of our time’: can AI save fine wine?

You might also like The Drinks Business Oct 5, 2026 Blogs

The wine industry is grappling with AI as a potential game-changer, with some calling it the biggest disruption of their time. The technology could reshape how fine wine is authenticated, priced, and produced, though industry professionals are still working out exactly how it'll reshape traditional practices. It's a developing story that's worth watching if you're involved in wine production, investment, or trade.

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AI Won’t Just Change the Tools Wineries Use. It Could Change How They Work

You might also like Wine Industry Advisor Oct 1, 2026 Blogs

Artificial intelligence isn't just giving wineries new software to play with—it could reshape how they actually operate from the ground up. Rather than simply automating individual tasks, AI has the potential to change workflows, decision-making processes, and the way teams collaborate across vineyards and cellars. It's worth understanding what that deeper transformation might look like as the technology becomes more embedded in the industry.

Read more From Digest #45

How Planeta Is Bringing a Contemporary Lens to Wine

Europe SevenFifty Daily Sep 30, 2026 Blogs

Planeta, the European wine producer, has launched a new framework for presenting wine through a contemporary lens, developed through a multidisciplinary meeting in 2025. The initiative aims to tell wine's story in modern ways whilst staying true to principles that have always defined the brand. It's a smart move showing how even traditional winemakers are adapting to speak to today's audiences.

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Editorial: The great wine glass con

South Africa winemag.co.za Sep 29, 2026 Blogs

An editorial from Wine Magazine South Africa challenges the long-standing industry narrative that expensive wine glasses are essential for proper wine appreciation. The piece argues that while quality glassware does matter, the wine industry has oversold the transformative power of pricey vessels, questioning whether consumers are getting conned by marketing that promises specially shaped glasses will concentrate flavours and elevate the drinking experience. It's a refreshing reality check on one of wine's most persistent marketing myths.

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Argentina Reloaded: why countries need to communicate the cool things they are doing

South America Wine Anorak Sep 28, 2026 Blogs

Jamie Goode attended Argentina's 'Argentina Reloaded' event in London, which highlighted the country's push to tell a more compelling and contemporary story about its wines to international markets. The event demonstrates how wine countries are increasingly recognising the importance of proactive communication to shape their image and stand out in a crowded global marketplace. It's a reminder that producing great wine is only half the battle, communications and positioning matter just as much.

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Viña González Bastías, Maule Valley, Chile: exciting naturally made wines from an amazing old vineyard

South America Wineanorak Sep 25, 2026 Blogs

A small Chilean winery in the Maule Valley is making waves with naturally fermented wines from a historic six-hectare vineyard. Run by Jose Luís Bastías and Daniela Lorenzo, Viña González Bastías represents the exciting intersection of heritage viticulture and natural winemaking methods that's reshaping South America's wine landscape. It's a compelling example of how traditional vineyards are finding new relevance through innovative, hands-on production approaches.

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Greg Sherwood MW: 2021 – the Cape’s next great Cab vintage

South Africa winemag.co.za Sep 25, 2026 Blogs

Master of Wine Greg Sherwood argues that South Africa's 2021 vintage is shaping up to be the Cape's next exceptional Cabernet year, following in the footsteps of the celebrated 2015 and 2017 vintages. The piece joins ongoing industry debate about which recent years represent the region's finest expressions of the varietal. It's a must-read for anyone tracking quality trends in South African Cabernet.

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The Terroirist: Inside Randall Grahm's Wine Rebellion

North America Wine Spectator Sep 24, 2026 Blogs

Wine Spectator takes a closer look at Randall Grahm's unconventional approach to winemaking and his long-running challenge to industry conventions through Bonny Doon Vineyard. The profile, aptly titled 'The Terroirist,' explores how Grahm's rebellious philosophy has shaped discussions around terroir, natural winemaking, and what it means to make authentic wine in the modern era.

Adrianna Catena: Challenging colonial-era thinking in wine

South America Decanter Sep 22, 2026 Blogs

Adrianna Catena is calling out how old colonial attitudes continue to shape the wine industry today. In a candid interview with Decanter, the influential Argentine winemaker discusses why she's regularly frustrated by entrenched thinking and how the sector needs to do better on challenging these inherited biases. It's a thoughtful take on modernising an industry steeped in tradition.

So far, Michelin seem to be missing the target with their three-grape ratings: how could they make it work properly?

You might also like Wine Anorak Sep 17, 2026 Blogs

Michelin has started rating wineries, but wine expert Jamie Goode thinks they're getting it wrong. While he believes they could offer something genuinely useful to the industry, their current approach with three-grape ratings isn't hitting the mark. The piece explores what Michelin would need to do differently to make their winery ratings actually work for wine professionals and enthusiasts.

Read more From Digest #43

📺Stephen Pannell: The godfather of modern grenache on terroir, tannin and Australian wine

Australia & New Zealand Wine Industry Advisor Sep 16, 2026 Blogs

Stephen Pannell, one of Australia's leading voices on grenache, discusses what makes the variety work in Australian conditions, exploring how terroir shapes the wine and how tannin management influences the final product. This video conversation delves into the modern approach to grenache production that's helped establish it as an important varietal for Australian winemakers.

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Finding Spanish wine’s family groove

Europe Andy Neather Sep 16, 2026 Blogs

Andy Neather shares what he learned during a harvest trip to Spain's Ribera del Duero, describing how spending time with winemaking families has changed his perspective on Spanish wine and the country itself. The piece combines personal reflection with practical drinking recommendations, offering both insight into winemaking culture and some bottles worth trying this week.

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Editorial: South African wine has a South Africa problem

South Africa winemag.co.za Sep 14, 2026 Blogs

South African wine faces a paradoxical problem: it's got the quality but lacks the visibility on the world stage. According to insights from winemaker Mike Ratcliffe's recent travels through Belgium, Switzerland and Canada, fine wines can thrive commercially when buyers are properly engaged and introduced to them. The real issue for South African producers is getting sustained market access, stronger backing from government, and leveraging tourism to build recognition alongside that quality product they're already making.

Read more From Digest #43

Column: Discovering La Celia wines, Uco Valley's oldest winery

South America Richmond News Sep 9, 2026 Blogs

A new column explores La Celia, Uco Valley's historic winery, offering insights into one of Argentina's most established wine producers. The piece takes readers on a journey through the vineyard's heritage and what makes it a noteworthy destination for wine enthusiasts. It's a great read if you're curious about Argentine wine traditions and family-run wineries with deep roots in the region.

Tim James: Capaia – the wine dream that went bust

South Africa winemag.co.za Sep 9, 2026 Blogs

Tim James reflects on Capaia, a wine estate in the Philadelphia ward near Cape Town that promised much two decades ago but ultimately failed. The article examines what went wrong with this once-gleaming venture, offering a sobering look at the challenges facing ambitious wine operations in South Africa's competitive landscape.

Jamie Goode: Old vines won’t survive on sentiment alone

You might also like winemag.co.za Sep 3, 2026 Blogs

Jamie Goode argues that old vineyards are at risk of disappearing during the current wine market contraction, not because they're poor quality but because they're unprofitable in the short term. He highlights how Australia's notorious vine pull of the 1980s wiped out exceptional Barossa old-vine plantings, and how Spanish producers like Comando G had to fight to save heritage Garnacha vineyards that fell out of favour during the Parker era. Goode poses a thought-provoking question: should there be laws to protect these special old vineyards as treasures?