The Guardian reports that Georgia’s 8,000 year winemaking heritage, including qvevri fermentation in buried clay vessels, is helping drive renewed international interest in its distinctive wines. The article links the boom to the country’s 525 plus indigenous grape varieties and to the wider rise of natural wine, noting that UK volume sales of Georgian wine increased by 72% in 2024, and it name checks producers and regions such as Kakheti and Imereti.
Simon Judge
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New Masters of Wine Announced for 2026
JancisRobinson.com says the Institute of Masters of Wine has announced the first four new Masters of Wine for 2026, Karen Hong Liu (Hong Kong), Cristina Mercuri (Italy), Kim Oshiro (US) and Bryce Wiatrak (US), with Mercuri noted as the first woman based in Italy to become an MW. The update also says there are now 422 active MWs across 30 countries, and it highlights each new MW’s professional background and research paper topics.
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Mercian Recalls 620,000 Bottles of Chilean Rosé in Japan
Nippon.com, citing Jiji Press, reports that Mercian has recalled about 620,000 bottles of three Chilean rosé wines after finding they contain copper citrate, an additive not approved in Japan, with the company saying no health problems have been reported so far and that it will reimburse customers with Quo Card gift certificates, the notice also names the 280ml Frontera sparkling rosé among the affected products.
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Treasury Wine Estates Suspends Interim Dividend After US Writedown
Reuters reports that Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates has suspended its interim dividend after a A$770.5 million impairment on its US assets helped drive a statutory loss of A$649.4 million for the half year ended December 2025, with revenue down 17 per cent and operating income down 40 per cent as demand softened in China and the US. The company said it is pushing ahead with a plan to cut around A$100 million of annual costs over the next two to three years, tightening shipments into China to curb parallel imports, and prioritising debt reduction before any return to dividends.
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Welsh Deposit Return Scheme Gets Go-ahead to Include Glass
Drinks Retailing News reports that Wales has been cleared to include glass in its Deposit Return Scheme launching alongside the wider UK system in October 2027, even though England, Scotland and Northern Ireland plan schemes without glass. The article says the Welsh Government expects interoperability across the UK, and notes a transition period to 2031 during which glass would be exempt from labelling requirements and carry a 0p deposit, giving industry more lead-in time. A Welsh Government written statement also frames the move as part of a pathway towards reuse, supported by pilots and further regulation.
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Australian Wine Pricing Row Flares at Wine Paris
Winetitles reports that Australian exhibitors in Paris are furious after Australian red wine was allegedly offered at about 60 cents per litre and Chardonnay at about 80 cents per litre, with claims some prices were even tied to the 2026 vintage, which has not been made yet. The article highlights concerns from growers and industry figures that ultra low pricing damages Australia’s premium ambitions, drags down grape prices, and sets a race to the bottom in international negotiations.
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Ridgeview Acquired by Quantum Beverage Led Consortium
Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News reports that Ridgeview Wine Estate has been acquired by QBRidge Ltd, an investor consortium led by Quantum Beverage Co, with Gregg Ainsworth appointed CEO and Allan Beattie becoming CFO, while long time CEO Tamara Roberts steps down and head winemaker Simon Roberts stays on. Insider Media and FRP Advisory add that the Sussex producer, founded in 1995 and based in Ditchling, was sold out of administration after financial pressures, the sale completed on 11 February, all staff transferred, and the new owners have promised business as usual for customers and suppliers.
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Mineral Water Pairings Gain Attention as Sommeliers Stress Water’s Impact on Wine
Decanter reports that water is not always a neutral companion to wine, with sommeliers and tasters pointing to total dissolved solids and carbonation as factors that can accentuate alcohol, flatten fruit, or sharpen minerality, and the article argues that choosing lower TDS waters can help preserve a wine’s structure while specific styles may benefit from carefully matched sparkling waters.
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China Warns French Wine Could Be Targeted in EU Tariff Dispute
Reuters reports that China has signalled French wine could face retaliation if France pushes the EU towards tougher tariff measures against Chinese imports, a warning that underlines how politically exposed premium wine and spirits exports can be when trade rows escalate, and comes as investors watch for knock on effects across French drinks groups and their Asian sales.
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California Growers Poised to Pull Another 40,000 Vineyard Acres
Farm Progress reports that California is on pace to remove another 40,000 acres of vineyards this year as growers respond to a structural oversupply of grapes. The article attributes the estimate to Allied Grape Growers president Jeff Bitter, and says a further 40,000 acres would take statewide vineyard area to about 473,000 acres, bringing supply closer to balance at current shipment rates. It also notes recent pullouts alongside new plantings, and references unsold fruit in 2025, with the broader industry debate focused on whether the market is nearing stabilisation.
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Macron Backs Uprooting Unprofitable Vines as France Tackles Oversupply
Vinetur says President Emmanuel Macron told producers at Wine Paris 2026 that uprooting loss-making vines is a necessary part of stabilising France’s wine sector amid overproduction and falling demand. The piece links the message to a €130m government fund offering subsidies to remove surplus vines, with attention on regions such as Bordeaux and Languedoc, and it notes export headwinds, including a reported 20% drop in exports to the US, France’s largest market. It adds that industry groups estimate a surplus of about 100,000 hectares of vineyards, with tens of thousands of hectares already removed in prior efforts and further removals expected under the new programme.
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EU Parliament Backs New Measures to Protect and Promote the Wine Sector
The European Parliament says MEPs backed new legislation designed to help wine producers manage market pressures and climate risks, and to open opportunities in tourism and exports. The press release highlights clearer labelling for no and low alcohol wines, with “alcohol-free 0.0%” for wines at or below 0.05% ABV and “alcohol reduced” for wines above 0.5% ABV that are at least 30% lower than the category’s standard strength before dealcoholisation. It also outlines extra crisis support for extreme weather and disease, EU funding options for grubbing up, and higher co-financing for promotion, including wine tourism and third-country marketing, with the deal now needing Council approval to enter into force.
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French Wine and Spirits Export Volumes Sink to a 25-Year Low
Reuters, on Tuesday 10 February 2026, reports that French wine and spirits exports fell to their lowest volume in at least 25 years, pressured by US tariffs, Chinese duties and a strong euro, with exporters warning there is no quick fix. Total exports dropped 3% by volume to 168 million cases and fell 8% in value to €14.3bn, with sales to the US down 21% in value to €3.0bn and sales to China down 20% to €767m. Cognac was hit hardest, down 24% in value, while Champagne volumes edged up but value slipped 4.5%, with industry figures saying any 2026 rebound is likely to be limited.
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Lifetime Achievement for Andrew Jefford
BusinessWire reports that renowned wine writer and journalist Andrew Jefford was named the recipient of the 2026 Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented at the V d’Or awards ceremony by Kylie Minogue. Jefford is celebrated for his work with Decanter and The World of Fine Wine, and for his deep exploration of terroir.
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Western Australia Wine Sector Rolls Out Sustainability and Profitability Partnership
Winetitles reports that Wines of Western Australia, the state government’s DPIRD, and Wine Australia are rolling out collaborative initiatives aimed at sustainability, competitiveness and future profitability, including a Sustainability Engagement Officer role and renewed support for a Sustainability and Industry Development Program Manager. The story highlights practical levers such as encouraging accreditation through Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, pushing wider uptake of Margaret River’s Lightweight Bottle Charter, and relocating the WA Vine Improvement Association germplasm collection to a new site to safeguard access to verified grapevine material, with funding support via Wine Australia’s Research and Innovation Fund and matched investment.