News Articles - Wine Industry Digest

Freixenet is putting its money behind Mallorca

Europe The Drinks Business Jun 25, 2026 News

Spanish sparkling wine giant Freixenet has launched a premium limited edition cuvée from Mallorca, marking what it says is the start of a major long-term investment in the Balearic island. The new wine, crafted from local grapes Prensal and Giró Ros, is a departure for both Freixenet and Mallorca itself, which is typically known for still wines rather than sparkling. Priced at £25, it represents a super-premium positioning from the company, though Freixenet's main cava production will continue in Catalonia.

Read more From Digest #31

International Wine Challenge announces new global regional structure - theshout.co.nz

You might also like The Shout Jun 22, 2026 News

The International Wine Challenge has announced a new global regional structure for its operations. This restructuring from the prestigious London-based competition could affect how European wines are evaluated and categorised in the competition, making it of interest to UK and EU producers who regularly enter.

Read more From Digest #31

Penn State scientists devise a one-minute test that reveals why wines with similar tannins feel different

You might also like Vinetur Jun 22, 2026 News

Scientists at Penn State University have created a quick test that solves a long-standing winemaking puzzle: why wines with similar tannin levels can taste completely different. The new method takes just one minute and could help winemakers better understand and control their wines' flavour profiles. It's a clever bit of research that bridges the gap between chemistry and what you actually experience when you take a sip.

Read more From Digest #31

Kloster Eberbach Releases Historical Wines for the First Time - Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Noble Sweet Wines Available

Europe wein.plus Jun 22, 2026 News

Germany's historic Kloster Eberbach monastery has opened its wine vaults to the public for the very first time, releasing a selection of rare bottles from its collection. You'll find Rieslings, noble sweet wines, and Pinot Noirs dating back to the 1950s through to the 2000s now available for purchase. It's a unique opportunity to own wines from one of the Rheingau region's most prestigious estates, many of which have been cellared under ideal conditions for decades.

Read more From Digest #31

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

UK Vinetur Jun 18, 2026 News

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.

Read more From Digest #30

Ancient DNA proves Chianti was once a white wine mecca

You might also like The Drinks Business Jun 17, 2026 News

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.

Read more From Digest #30

Champagne-baiting English wine brand invites public investment

UK The Drinks Business Jun 17, 2026 News

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.

Read more From Digest #30

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

You might also like Decanter Jun 17, 2026 News

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.

Read more From Digest #30

Emma Rice joins English producer The Heretics as winemaker

UK Harpers Wine & Spirit Jun 10, 2026 News

English wine producer The Heretics has appointed Emma Rice as its in-house winemaker. The move demonstrates the growing investment in quality and expertise within England's burgeoning wine industry, as producers expand their operations and focus on producing world-class wines.

Read more From Digest #29

The Wine Society posts operating loss to protect members

UK The Drinks Business Jun 8, 2026 News

The Wine Society has reported an operating loss for the past year after choosing to shield its members from the full impact of 2024's major duty increases. The mutual, which answers only to its members rather than shareholders, absorbed between £4.5 million and £5 million in extra costs by keeping price rises to around 1% rather than the 3.5-5% increases seen across the rest of the industry. With strong cash reserves and no external shareholders to answer to, the business can sustain these losses whilst its leadership pushes for coordinated industry action against what they're calling 'seismic' tax changes.

Read more From Digest #29

New Federal Association of Wine, Sparkling Wine and Spirits Founded - Three Associations Join Forces

Europe wein.plus Jun 8, 2026 News

Germany's wine industry has consolidated its voice with three major trade associations merging into a single unified body called the Bundesverband Wein, Sekt und Spirituosen (BWS). The new federation brings together representatives from wine, sparkling wine and spirits producers to pool resources and tackle shared industry challenges more effectively. It's a significant reshuffling that reflects how European wine sectors are adapting to current market pressures and changing trade landscapes.

Read more From Digest #29

Welsh wine week: Monmouthshire vineyards celebrate success

UK Monmouthshire Beacon Jun 7, 2026 News

Welsh wine is having a moment, and Monmouthshire vineyards are at the heart of it. During Welsh wine week, local producers in the region celebrated their recent successes, highlighting how England and Wales have become increasingly competitive in quality wine production. It's a great sign for UK viticulture and the growing reputation of Welsh wines.

Read more From Digest #29

UK Alcoholic Drinks Market Expands Rapidly with Premiumization

UK Vocal Jun 4, 2026 News

The UK's alcoholic drinks market is booming as consumers increasingly trade up to premium options and embrace craft beverages. This shift in drinking preferences is reshaping how the industry operates, with premiumization becoming a key driver of growth across wine and spirits categories.

Henkell Freixenet Intends to Acquire Maison Pommery - Negotiations for the Purchase of Majority Shares

Europe wein.plus Jun 3, 2026 News

Sparkling wine giant Henkell-Freixenet is in talks to buy a majority stake in Maison Pommery, one of Champagne's top three houses. The acquisition would represent a significant consolidation in the champagne sector, bringing one of France's most prestigious producers under German ownership and expanding the global leader's portfolio even further.

González Byass to sell part of its historic bottle library at Christie’s

Europe The Drinks Business Jun 2, 2026 News

González Byass is releasing part of its historic bottle collection through Christie's in a rare auction event, offering bottles that have never been sold to the public before. The archive, preserved since the Jerez bodega's founding in 1835, includes exceptional vintages dating back to 1846 and rare sherries like Viña Amorosa 1911 and several Matusalems from the early 1900s. The sale runs from 5-19 June online, giving collectors a unique opportunity to acquire these impeccably provenance wines with genuine historical significance.

Why drinks industry should unite behind revamped London Wine Fair

UK The Buyer May 27, 2026 News

The London Wine Fair is bouncing back stronger than ever, with visitor numbers up 8% and exhibitor participation growing by 9% at last week's event. The show's revamped format appears to be resonating with the drinks industry, with floor space expanding by 13% as businesses rally behind the rejuvenated trade fair. It's a solid sign that the sector's traditional gathering points remain vital for networking and business.

The Center of Innovation in Viticulture and Winemaking launched at the Technical University of Moldova

You might also like Logos Press May 25, 2026 News

Moldova's Technical University has launched a new Centre of Innovation in Viticulture and Winemaking, marking a significant investment in the country's wine industry research and development. This initiative could help strengthen Moldova's position in the global wine market and drive improvements in production techniques and sustainability practices. It's an interesting development for those keeping an eye on emerging wine regions in Eastern Europe.

‘A world-class producer’: English wines toast record gold medal haul - The Guardian

UK The Guardian May 20, 2026 News

English winemakers have achieved a record-breaking number of gold medals at a prestigious wine competition, marking another milestone for the UK wine industry's rising reputation. The achievement underscores how English producers are now competing at world-class levels and gaining international recognition for their quality. It's encouraging news for an industry that's been steadily gaining ground in the global market over recent years.

Olivier Goudet acquires Wine-Searcher

You might also like The Drinks Business May 19, 2026 News

French billionaire Olivier Goudet has acquired Wine-Searcher, the global wine price comparison and data platform, through his investment company GLX. The platform, which operates from Auckland with a UK office, will focus on expansion into the US market and plans to increase its use of artificial intelligence across its wine and drinks data services. This purchase adds to Goudet's growing influence in the wine sector, following his recent 9% stake in Australia's Treasury Wine Estates.

Behind the headlines: is the failure of a barrel-leasing company the biggest story of the year? - Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux

Europe Inside Bordeaux May 19, 2026 News

Journalist Jane Anson is investigating what might be this year's biggest untold story in the wine world: the failure of barrel-leasing company H&A Logistics in Bordeaux. The liquidation of a key supplier in such a major wine region could have serious ripple effects for producers who depend on leasing barrels, highlighting just how fragile some parts of the wine industry's supply chain really are.