Browse all articles in this category
The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on Canadian whisky, ostensibly in response to Canada's dairy industry practices. Whilst the immediate target is spirits rather than wine, the tariff action signals how trade disputes can weaponise alcohol imports, which matters for anyone importing or exporting wine and spirits into North America. It's a reminder that geopolitical trade tensions can shift alcohol duty regimes quickly and unpredictably.
German wine regions Rheinhessen and Württemberg are dealing with excess red and rosé wine stocks, and the EU has stepped in with €14.16 million in support for crisis distillation. The scheme could affect up to 24 million litres of wine, equivalent to around 32 million standard bottles. This is the EU's emergency measure to help producers manage oversupply when the market can't absorb their stock.
WineGB, the industry body representing English and Welsh producers, is pushing the UK government to introduce tax breaks for cellar door sales and on-site hospitality at wineries. The organisation argues that targeted tax relief would help UK wine producers compete with established European regions and boost rural tourism, making direct-to-consumer sales more financially viable for smaller producers.
The U.S. Wine Trade Alliance is pushing the Trump administration to keep European wines off the table in any new tariff plans. It's a timely move as trade policy shifts could significantly impact EU wine exports to America, one of the world's largest wine markets. This story matters for anyone selling into the U.S., as tariff decisions will reshape pricing and competitiveness across the Atlantic.
Slovakia's wine industry is facing a serious challenge as Flavescence dorée, a devastating vine disease, continues to spread rapidly across the country. Three quarters of all vineyard areas have now been declared quarantine zones in response to the outbreak. Austrian winemakers are also watching closely and expressing frustration that control measures aren't being implemented quickly enough, suggesting the disease could threaten neighbouring regions too.
Austria's Constitutional Court is examining the country's vineyard classification system and has raised concerns about how the National Wine Committee operates within the legal framework. The court's questioning of the committee's role suggests potential constitutional issues with the current procedure, which could lead to significant changes in how Austrian vineyards are classified and regulated.
Bordeaux is facing a major test of its irrigation rules as scorching temperatures hit 40°C this summer. Château Lafleur, which quit the Pomerol AOC and Bordeaux designation last year over irrigation restrictions, has already started watering its vines in June. The question now is whether the appellations will relax their strict rules before damage is done, or whether the allowance will come too late like it did last year.
England and Wales are moving towards digital age verification systems for alcohol purchases, making it easier for retailers to check customers' ages at the till. This regulatory update affects wine merchants and supermarkets, particularly those selling alcohol online and in-store. It's a modernisation that should simplify compliance for retailers whilst keeping age-gating protections in place.
Researchers have developed a quicker way to test and verify where wine actually comes from, which could be a game-changer for protecting wine authenticity across Europe. This faster testing method helps tackle wine fraud and ensures that protected designations of origin are genuinely respected. It's a timely development that benefits both producers keen to prove their credentials and consumers wanting confidence in what they're buying.
The EU is changing its import rules from July 1st, removing the duty-free allowance for packages worth up to €150. This means wine imported into the EU will now face duties and VAT on all shipments, regardless of value, which could affect both international wine purchases and pricing for retailers and consumers across member states.
European wine industry leaders are pushing for fresh policy support as the continent grapples with a significant 14% drop in wine consumption. The move signals growing concern about market viability and reflects the industry's determination to tackle the underlying challenges through regulatory and policy solutions rather than waiting out the downturn.
Ukraine is implementing a new vineyard register that aligns with EU standards, signalling efforts to support the country's wine industry growth and integration with European markets. This regulatory move could help Ukrainian producers meet EU requirements and expand their export opportunities as the region works towards post-conflict recovery. It's an important step in harmonising vineyard management practices across a wider part of Europe.
The World Health Organization's European office is pushing for cancer warning labels on all alcoholic drinks, including wine. This potential regulatory shift could mean significant changes to how wine is labelled and marketed across Europe, as health authorities increasingly link alcohol consumption to cancer risk. It's a developing story that wine producers and retailers will need to monitor closely as policy discussions unfold.
Some of Bordeaux's winemakers are ditching the region's strict appellation rules to produce wines under the more flexible Vin de France label instead. This shift suggests producers are feeling constrained by traditional AOC regulations and are choosing creative freedom over the prestige that comes with a Bordeaux designation. It's an interesting move that could reshape how producers balance heritage rules with modern winemaking innovation.
The EU is pushing gene-editing technology for crops, but wine industry rules are making it complicated. New CRISPR-edited grapevines could offer benefits like disease resistance, but strict EU wine market regulations around authenticity and protected designations of origin are creating barriers to adoption. It's a classic clash between agricultural innovation and the wine sector's traditional, heavily regulated marketplace.
Defra has doubled the maximum project costs for its ADOPT innovation funding scheme, raising the limit from £100,000 to £200,000. This opens up opportunities for UK wine growers to apply for larger-scale projects focused on developing new practices and technologies. The increased funding could help vineyards invest in sustainability improvements, climate adaptation strategies, and other innovations to boost their competitiveness.
The European Commission has given the green light to France's plan to pay grape growers for permanently removing their vineyards. This regulatory approval signals the EU's support for vineyard restructuring, likely aimed at addressing oversupply or helping farmers transition away from marginal production areas.
The EU's top court has upheld a ban preventing alcoholic drinks above 1.2% alcohol by volume from making health claims. This ruling means wine producers across the EU can't market their products with health benefits on labels or in advertising, reinforcing strict regulations around how alcohol is promoted to consumers.
As the wine industry approaches a decade since Brexit, Harpers Wine & Spirit has gathered reflections from key players on how the sector has adapted to the seismic shift. The piece explores the lasting regulatory, trade, and market challenges UK wine professionals have navigated since the referendum, offering valuable perspective on where the industry stands today.
The WHO's European office made waves in January 2023 by declaring there's 'no safe level' of alcohol consumption, a dramatic shift from its previous stance on 'harmful use'. But according to industry analysis, this change wasn't driven by new scientific discoveries, it's the result of lobbying by public health groups and NGOs pushing for stricter language. The article explores how the narrative around alcohol has tightened over the past decade and what that means for how wine and other drinks are regulated and discussed across Europe.