The Guardian reports on the challenge of finding satisfying alcohol-free alternatives for wine drinkers, arguing that the best substitutes may not be dealcoholised wine at all. The article points to drinks such as kombucha and tea-based bottles, which can offer tannin, savoury character and food-pairing potential, rather than simply imitating wine after the alcohol and much of the flavour have been removed. It reflects a wider consumer shift towards moderation, but with expectations for quality and occasion still intact.
Simon Judge
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Severe Flooding Hits Parts of the Western Cape Wine Region
Harpers reports that severe flooding has hit vineyards along South Africa’s Breede River, with Robertson Wine Valley producers including Springfield Estate, Bonnievale Wines, Bon Courage Estate and Van Loveren Family Vineyards reporting damage. Springfield said 90 of its 220 hectares were submerged by Monday evening, while Van Loveren reported two metres of water through its winery, damage to homes and equipment, and 1.3 million bottles of stock affected. Producers in the area are encouraging people to buy their wines to support rebuilding efforts.
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American Wine Labelling Bill Faces Vote
Wine Industry Advisor reports that California’s Assembly Appropriations Committee is due to consider AB 1585, a bill requiring wine labelled “American” and sold or bottled in California to be made from 100% American-grown grapes. If approved, it will move to a full Assembly vote within the next two weeks, making it a potentially important moment for US origin labelling rules.
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Global Wine Trade Hit by Tariffs, Climate and Weak Demand
Reuters reports that global wine exports fell to their lowest level since 2009, while consumption dropped to its weakest level since 1957, according to OIV data. Exports declined 4.7% by volume to 94.8 million hectolitres, while global consumption slipped 2.7% to 208 million hectolitres, with US tariffs, economic pressure, climate disruption and changing consumer tastes all weighing on the sector.
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International Wine Challenge 2026 Medal Results Go Live
The International Wine Challenge says its first 2026 medal results are now live, following weeks of blind tasting by international judging panels. Trophy winners are scheduled to be announced on 19 May, with IWC Sake results due on 22 May after judging in Hiroshima.
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Chianti DOCG Set to Add Rosé and Relax Sangiovese Rules
The Drinks Business reports that Chianti DOCG is preparing a major update to its production rules, including an official rosé category, a reduced minimum Sangiovese requirement from 70% to 60%, and a new Terre di Vinci sub-zone. The proposed changes also tighten vineyard standards, with higher planting density requirements, a ban on the tendone training system, and emergency irrigation allowed only within limits.
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Vineyard Survey Shows Growers Removing Acreage As Costs Rise
WineBusiness.com reports that its 2026 WineBusiness Monthly Vineyard Survey found 18% of respondents had permanently removed vineyard acreage in the past year, underlining the pressure on growers from rising costs and wider market challenges. The survey frames removals as one response to difficult economics in grape growing, alongside broader concern about how growers are adapting to cost inflation and weaker demand.
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Second Press Aims to Become the Wine Trade’s Radio Show
The Buyer reports that wine writer Bradley Horne and Flint Vineyard’s Dan Kirby are positioning their Second Press podcast as a looser, radio-style wine trade show, mixing industry news, conversation and personality-led interviews. The concept aims to sit between beginner-friendly wine content and highly academic wine media, offering trade insight with less formality and less snobbery.
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Graham Beck Launches Its First English Sparkling Wine
Decanter reports that South African Cap Classique producer Graham Beck has released its first traditional-method English sparkling wine, the limited Graham Beck Artisan Collection English Sparkling 2018. The wine is made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown in Hampshire and West Sussex, will be released in the UK this summer at £45 RRP, and marks a final collaboration involving former cellar master Pieter Ferreira before his retirement.
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Andrew Lloyd Webber Wine Auction Raises More Than £500,000 for Charity
Decanter reports that Christie’s charity auction of rare wines from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s cellar raised £517,910 for The Music in Secondary Schools Trust, with every lot sold and hammer proceeds going to a programme providing instruments, tuition and classical music education in schools. Highlights included a Château Margaux 1900 that sold for £35,000 and three bottles of Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 2005 that sold for £56,250 including buyer’s premium.
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Bordeaux Unveils Modernisation Drive
The drinks business reports that Bordeaux has set out a modernisation push focused on sustainability, newer wine styles and UK-facing activity as the region marks 90 years as an AOC. The update highlights growth in Crémant de Bordeaux, lighter bottles, refreshed packaging, and a 2026 UK programme including London Wine Fair and The Big Feastival.
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Viña Concha y Toro Hit By US Weakness
Global Drinks Intel reports that Viña Concha y Toro’s first quarter sales fell 7.8% to CLP192.61bn, while quarterly wine volumes dropped 6.8%. The decline was led by the US, where sales fell 32.2% and volumes dropped 30.1%, although the company said it had made progress on premiumisation and portfolio rationalisation.
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Europe’s Wine Sector Faces Slow Digital Transformation
AgTechNavigator reports that European wine is adopting more digital tools, but real transformation is being slowed by tradition, fragmented technology, connectivity gaps and long investment cycles. WineWayLab organiser Timofey Golovin argues that many wineries are adding sensors and dashboards without fundamentally changing production systems, while climate volatility, labour shortages and new regions such as the UK, Scandinavia and Belgium are increasing the pressure to adopt robotics, AI and precision viticulture more deeply.
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WSET Drops Greek Goddess From Logo
The Drinks Business reports that WSET is removing Ariadne from its logo and introducing a simplified identity as part of a broader brand overhaul. The updated look includes a new strapline, Global Drinks Education, reflecting WSET’s expansion beyond wine into spirits, sake and beer, with refreshed digital branding and redesigned student pins also planned.
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DWWA 2026 Judging Begins in London
Decanter reports that judging has begun for the Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 in London, with more than 16,700 wines from 57 countries being assessed by 246 judges from 36 nations. The competition runs across two weeks, with Bronze, Silver and Gold judging from 4 to 8 May, followed by Platinum and Best in Show judging from 11 to 15 May, while this year also brings new leadership, a larger cohort of women judges and expanded sustainability measures including reusable cotton bags, cork collection and wine waste processing through anaerobic digestion.