Regulation

World Health Organisation says alcohol is now ‘too affordable’

🌍Other The Drinks Business Jan 15, 2026 Regulation

The WHO's just dropped a report saying alcohol's become too cheap and is pushing governments to hike taxes on booze and it's calling out Europe specifically, noting that wine still gets exemptions in at least 25 countries despite the health risks. It's a big policy shift that could reshape how UK and EU wine producers and retailers operate, especially if governments actually listen and start treating wine like spirits when it comes to excise duties.

Read full article From Digest #8

EU Agriculture Commission gives green light to “Wine Package”: only plenary approval remains

🇪🇺Europe Wine News Jan 13, 2026 Regulation

The EU Agriculture Commission has just given the thumbs up to the 'Wine Package' - a significant regulatory update that's been in the works. It's now heading to the European Parliament for final plenary approval, so we're nearly at the finish line on what could be a major shake-up for how EU wine producers operate.

Read full article From Digest #8

France’s Organic Winegrowers Lose An Indispensable Tool. What Now?

🇪🇺Europe Wine Spectator Jan 12, 2026 Regulation

French organic winemakers are in a tough spot! The country's health agency has banned 19 copper-based fungicides they rely on to fight mildew, citing worker safety concerns. The catch? France is going stricter than the EU requires, and growers were already using less copper than allowed. With only two products still permitted under tight restrictions, producers in rainy regions like Champagne and Burgundy are worried about how they'll protect their vines.

Read full article From Digest #8

Vinho Verde commission cooperates with authorities following fraud investigation

🇪🇺Europe The Drinks Business Jan 5, 2026 Regulation

Portugal's Vinho Verde region is in the middle of a major fraud investigation called 'Puro Verde'. Police have arrested eight people including four commission officials and raided 21 properties following an anonymous whistleblower tip. It's a rough moment for the region's 12,000+ growers and 400 bottlers, though the commission's insisting it had no prior knowledge and is co-operating fully with authorities to sort out what's happened.

Read full article From Digest #7

Economy: Italy gives green light for non-alcoholic wine

🇪🇺Europe blue News Dec 30, 2025 Regulation

Italy's just given the thumbs up for non-alcoholic wine production, which is a pretty significant regulatory shift for the EU wine industry. It's interesting timing given the growing consumer demand for low and no-alcohol options across Europe, so this could open the door for other member states to follow suit. Worth keeping an eye on how this affects the broader market and whether it sparks any pushback from traditional producers.

Read full article From Digest #6

‘You can’t subsidise people into jobs that don’t exist’, as hospitality assesses £725m reform

🇬🇧UK The Drinks Business Dec 10, 2025 Regulation

The UK Government's just announced a £725m apprenticeship reform that'll affect hospitality pretty heavily, including wine venues and restaurants. They're covering full training costs for under-25s at small businesses and rolling out foundation apprenticeships from 2026, but industry leaders are worried the scheme won't work unless struggling hospitality businesses actually have jobs to offer. Worth watching since it could reshape how hospitality, including on-trade wine venue, recruits and trains staff.

Read full article From Digest #4

Europe’s new wine support package: 8 key measures - BeverageDaily.com

🇪🇺Europe Beverage Daily Dec 9, 2025 Regulation

The EU's just rolled out a new wine support package with eight key measures - this is proper significant for European producers dealing with market pressures and vineyard challenges. BeverageDaily's broken down what's actually in there, so worth a read to see which measures might affect your operation or suppliers across the continent.

Read full article From Digest #4

Chablis adapts vineyard rules to future-proof against climate challenges

🇪🇺Europe The Drinks Business Dec 9, 2025 Regulation

Chablis has relaxed its vineyard regulations to help growers cope with increasingly brutal weather - they've bumped yield limits up by 5 hectolitres per hectare and dropped minimum vine density requirements to make farming easier on slopes. It's a smart move after a horrific 2024 when a hailstorm wiped out 30-90% of crops across a sixth of the appellation, though the region's clearly trying to balance resilience with protecting that legendary crisp Chardonnay style that made Chablis famous in the first place.

Read full article From Digest #4

Label "Sud de France" prohibited from vintage 2025

🇪🇺Europe wein.plus Dec 8, 2025 Regulation

The 'Sud de France' protected designation label won't be allowed on wines from the 2025 vintage onwards, according to wein.plus. This is a significant regulatory shift for one of France's major wine regions and could reshape how Southern French producers market their wines. Worth keeping an eye on for how this impacts labelling compliance and regional branding across the EU.

Read full article From Digest #4

Reeves accused of ‘smoke and mirrors’ over hospitality tax rises

🇬🇧UK The Drinks Business Dec 1, 2025 Regulation

The Drinks Business is reporting that Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Budget claims about a "golden era" for hospitality are being called out as smoke and mirrors. Pubs and restaurants are facing massive hidden tax hits through business rates revaluation, the end of Covid relief, and spiralling wage and alcohol duty costs - the industry's warning it could trigger another wave of closures across the on-trade.

Read full article From Digest #3

Why is France paying €130m for winemakers to uproot their vines?

🇪🇺Europe euronews.com Nov 29, 2025 Regulation

France is handing out €130m to winemakers to rip up their vines, and it's worth paying attention to. This is a big policy move that'll reshape vineyard capacity across the EU, and it signals how serious the bloc is about dealing with wine oversupply and climate challenges. Euronews has the details on what's driving this scheme and what it means for the industry.

Read full article From Digest #3

Wine prices: Which is Europe’s most expensive country?

🌍Other Decanter UK Nov 27, 2025 Regulation

The UK's just confirmed alcohol duty will rise with inflation from February 2026, which means wine prices could jump by around 13p per bottle on top of existing pressures. The Wine & Spirit Trade Association is fuming about it, warning that combined with packaging taxes and VAT, consumers could see nearly £1 added to bottle prices over a year. The timing's particularly tough since the UK's already ranked seventh most expensive for wine in Europe according to new research – and this'll only cement that reputation.

Read full article From Digest #2

WineGB’s response to the 2025 Autumn Budget Statement

🇬🇧UK WineGB Nov 26, 2025 Regulation

WineGB's taken a swipe at the autumn Budget, calling out yet another alcohol duty hike that unfairly hammers domestic producers at a crucial moment for UK wine's global reputation. The trade body's frustrated that the Chancellor didn't help stimulate demand or tackle VAT and business national insurance, though they're pleased about the free apprenticeship scheme for under-25s in SME, reckoning it'll help bring fresh talent into the sector.

Read full article From Digest #2

The Wine and Spirit sector despairs at yet another tax raid on alcohol

🇬🇧UK The Wine and Spirit Trade Association Nov 26, 2025 Regulation

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association is firing back at the Chancellor over yet another tax increase on alcohol in the Autumn Budget. The WSTA's clearly frustrated that the industry's concerns went unheard, and this latest raid will hit everyone down the supply chain hard.

Read full article From Digest #2

France Boosts Wine Industry with €130 Million Aid

🇪🇺Europe Devdiscourse Nov 25, 2025 Regulation

France just dropped €130 million in aid for its wine industry - a pretty significant move targeting vine uprooting programs, climate resilience, and tackling the declining consumption problem that's been plaguing producers. This kind of government support could set a precedent for how other EU countries approach their own struggling wine sectors, so it's worth watching to see if Brussels takes similar action across Europe.

Read full article From Digest #2

Europe and Beyond Tighten the Grip on Alcohol: WHO Calls for Stricter

🇪🇺Europe Wine Intelligence Nov 20, 2025 Regulation

The WHO's pushing for stricter alcohol policies and Europe's actually listening—the EU is reviewing its Alcohol Taxation Directive while tying new regulations to the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. This could shake up how wine gets marketed and sold across the bloc, so it's worth watching to see what restrictions actually make it through.

Read full article From Digest #1