Marzipan's State of UK DtC Wine Commerce
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Bordeaux winemaking legend Hubert de Boüard, owner of the renowned Château Angélus, is taking part in a podcast conversation with respected wine journalist Jane Anson. The interview promises fascinating insights into one of the region's most celebrated figures, with part one now available to listen to.
Scientists at Penn State University have used machine learning to identify specific oak tannins that influence wine flavour and quality. The research offers winemakers a deeper understanding of how oak ageing affects their wines and could help producers make more informed decisions about barrel selection and aging strategies. This kind of scientific insight is increasingly valuable to producers across the UK and Europe looking to refine their craft.
A UK vineyard is making headlines for its innovative approach to winemaking that breaks from conventional methods. The BBC has taken a closer look at what makes their process distinctive and why it's catching industry attention. It's a great reminder that British wine producers continue to experiment and push boundaries in how they craft their wines.
The Old Vine Registry has passed a major milestone, recording over 10,000 vineyards with vines aged 35 years or older across 42 countries and nearly 43,000 hectares. The project, founded by wine critic Jancis Robinson and others in 2023, is expanding far faster than originally anticipated, reaching a target that wasn't due until 2027. Germany and Austria are well represented with 337 and 51 vineyard entries respectively, whilst the International Organisation of Vine and Wine has now officially standardised what constitutes 'old vines' for classification purposes.
Porto's historic Factory House, a cornerstone of the port wine trade for over two centuries, has opened its doors to public visitors for the first time. This exclusive access lets people explore the authentic infrastructure and heritage that's shaped Porto's world-renowned wine industry. It's a rare opportunity to experience the real story behind one of Europe's most celebrated wine regions.
Balfour Winery has opened The Winemaker's Pub in the charming village of Goudhurst, bringing vineyard hospitality directly to locals and visitors. This new venture bridges the gap between winery and community by combining English wine with traditional British cooking in a village pub setting, making quality English wine more accessible and integrated into everyday hospitality.
West Sussex vineyards are joining forces to boost tourism following the success of East Sussex's Rother Wine Triangle model. Chichester's wine cluster, which includes Ashling Park, Tinwood, Stopham, Roebuck and Digby, will adopt the proven blueprint of mapped routes, coordinated marketing and visitor signage. Wine tourism already accounts for roughly a quarter of vineyard income nationwide, and the structured cluster approach is expected to increase visitor numbers and cross-venue spending while strengthening the region's wine reputation.
WineGB, the trade association representing English wine producers, has appointed a new Head of Communications & Marketing. This move strengthens the organisation's ability to promote the UK wine industry and amplify the sector's voice in an increasingly competitive market. It reflects growing confidence in English wine's potential and the industry's commitment to building its profile both domestically and internationally.
The UK wine trade has lost a major figure with the death of Alan Mayne on 23rd January at the age of 85. Throughout his six-decade career, Mayne became one of the most respected and influential professionals in the high-end wine sector, shaping how fine wine is distributed and appreciated in Britain. He was known for his mentorship of younger professionals and his colourful personality within the trade.
Rioja producer Muriel Wines has given its Viña Eguía label a contemporary makeover, introducing refreshed packaging for its classic Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva lines alongside a new single-variety 'Origin' range. The new collection showcases distinctive Riojan grape varieties including the rare indigenous Maturana Blanca, alongside innovative blends from across Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. The rebrand reflects the company's push to modernise its image and expand into new export markets, positioning itself as a reference brand for today's wine drinkers.
Henkell Freixenet has completed its takeover of Freixenet, acquiring the remaining shares from the Ferrer family and José Luis Bonet to gain 100% control of the world's leading sparkling wine producer. The deal concludes eight years of partnership that began with a 50/50 joint venture in 2018, though the founding families will stay involved as honorary presidents. It's a significant moment for the Spanish wine industry, showing how family-owned wine businesses are adapting to global market pressures whilst preserving their heritage.
Humble Grape has launched a new Women in Wine campaign, marking another step forward for diversity in the UK wine industry. The initiative highlights the retailer's commitment to supporting and promoting women across wine retail and hospitality roles. This reflects broader industry efforts to create more inclusive workplaces and career pathways for women in wine.
A Dorset vineyard has been crowned maker of the world's best sparkling wine, marking another feather in the cap for England's flourishing wine industry. The award highlights the growing quality and recognition of UK sparkling wines on the international stage, building on the region's reputation for producing world-class bottles that can compete with traditional champagne producers.
A sinkhole at Davyhulme Park Golf Club in Manchester has revealed a remarkable hidden cellar dating back over 100 years, complete with dozens of historic wine and Port bottles still sitting on the floor. The groundskeepers discovered the brick tunnel beneath the 13th hole filled with earth-encrusted bottles, though most lack labels that would identify the specific wines or producers. The cellar appears to be remnants of the original manor house that once stood on the site, offering a fascinating glimpse into English wine-drinking traditions from the early 20th century.
A new survey by Drinks United, backed by major UK industry organisations including the WSTA and WSET, has uncovered widespread safety concerns across the drinks trade. The findings reveal serious issues around safety, discrimination and inclusion that are affecting workers throughout the sector. It's a reminder that workplace culture matters just as much as what's in the bottle.
A Dedham vineyard in Essex has new owners who are committed to producing high-quality wines. The takeover reflects growing investment and confidence in English wine production, with the owners prioritising quality standards for their operation. It's another sign that the UK's vineyard sector continues to attract serious producers and investors.
The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced the first four candidates to achieve the prestigious Masters of Wine qualification in 2026. It's one of the wine world's most demanding certifications, and these announcements celebrate the professionals who've reached its highest standards. This highlights the continued strength of wine expertise and professional development in the UK wine industry.
Cherie Spriggs, head winemaker at Nyetimber, the award-winning English sparkling wine producer, reveals her creative philosophy behind the wines she crafts. In a new interview, she explains how she approaches winemaking with a musical sensibility, thinking about how different elements come together in harmony. It's an interesting insight into the personalities and creative processes shaping the UK's increasingly respected sparkling wine industry.
Ridgeview Estate Winery, one of England's leading sparkling wine producers, has managed to avoid going into administration. It's positive news for the Sussex-based winery, which has been a flagship name in the English wine renaissance over recent years. The development comes as many UK wine businesses have faced financial headwinds.
The European Parliament has given the green light to new measures aimed at protecting and promoting the EU wine sector. This parliamentary backing suggests potentially significant policy changes that could affect how European wines are produced, labelled, and traded both within the EU and internationally. Wine professionals and producers should keep an eye on what specific protections and promotional initiatives emerge from this decision.