Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News says Liberty Wines’ Premium On-Trade Wine Report 2026 argues the best way to revive premium on-trade sales is to compete on quality, not to cut costs and dilute the experience versus drinking at home. The report says on-trade wine volumes fell 8% over the past year, while premium on-trade value slipped 5%, and it points to long-term pressures including lower per-capita alcohol consumption and a shift towards at-home drinking, with wine’s on-trade share dropping from 20% in 2016 to 13.2%. Liberty also flags growing consumer adventurousness, with gains for countries outside the top 10 and for a broader mix of grape varieties, and it has widened this year’s analysis to the top 28% of outlets by quality.
Simon Judge
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Wales Minimum Unit Price for Alcohol Increases by 30%
The BBC reports that beer and wine prices in Wales are set to rise after the minimum unit price for alcohol increases by 30 per cent, with the rate going up from 50p to 65p per unit from October, meaning a £1 can of lager will cost at least £1.30, a £2.50 bottle of cider will rise to £3.25 and a bottle of whisky will have a minimum price of £18.20 instead of £14, following approval by Senedd members of Welsh government proposals that ministers describe as a landmark move to reduce alcohol-related harm and deaths and to bring Wales into line with Scotland, although the Conservatives argue the policy unfairly penalises responsible drinkers.
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Vina Concha y Toro is Acquiring Maison Mirabeau
Vina Concha y Toro has announced, subject to regulatory approval, it is acquiring a majority stake in Maison Mirabeau to build a stronger premium rosé and on-trade presence globally, combining shared B-Corp values, complementary strengths and expanded distribution, while retaining the founders and existing management to drive future growth and sustainability ambitions.
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UK Off Trade Wine Outlook, Premium Holds Up As Volumes Slide
Drinks Retailing reports that UK off trade wine value is down 1.8% with units down 4.2% despite higher average prices, with sparkling outperforming still and red hit hardest, while a Freixenet Copestick executive says wines priced £7 and above are proving more resilient than sub £7 options, crémant and English sparkling are among the fastest growing areas, and alcohol free wine and canned wine are expanding quickly, even as further duty increases in February 2026 are expected to keep overall value drifting lower.
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Portugal Targets Britain as Its Top Export Market Over the Next Decade
Harpers reports that Wines of Portugal wants to make the UK its number one export market within ten years, calling it one of the world’s most influential and competitive wine markets, and putting it at the centre of its long term growth ambitions. The organisation says the market currently ranks fourth by export value, at €31.8m in the first half of 2025, and is tying the push to a wider goal of €1.2bn in total export value by 2030.
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Croxsons Unveils Sovereign, A British Made Sparkling Wine Bottle
Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News reports that Croxsons has launched “Sovereign”, a new sparkling wine bottle designed for English and Welsh producers, aiming to cut transport miles by replacing bottles typically sourced from factories in France, Germany and Italy. The bottle uses amber glass rather than the traditional green, is made with 77% recycled glass and weighs 835g, with Ridgeview Wine among the producers cited as welcoming a domestically manufactured packaging option that supports provenance and sustainability.
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UK Ministers’ Alcohol Labelling Plans Alarm Drinks Industry
The FT has reported that ministers have unsettled the drinks and hospitality sectors by convening major alcohol producers and trade bodies to discuss early-stage plans for mandatory new labelling on beer, wine and spirits, potentially featuring prominent health and nutrition warnings, while also preparing to reverse course on proposed business rates increases for pubs in England. Industry leaders fear strict cancer and other risk messages, possibly even shock-style approaches, and warn that changing packaging, especially if “rotating” warnings are required, would be costly and could push up prices and depress sales at a time when alcohol consumption is already at record lows amid the cost of living squeeze and a growing moderation trend.
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Pubs Brace for Pass Through Costs, Wine Mentioned in the Price Rise Mix
LBC says pubs and producers are warning customers to expect price increases as the duty rise comes into force, and it explicitly calls out the duty bump for a 14.5% bottle of red wine. It frames the change as another squeeze point for hospitality, arguing that venues have limited room to absorb tax and operating cost rises. The piece also repeats the broader context that duty was announced earlier and is now arriving at tills, with the impact expected across both on trade and off trade sales.
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UK Alcohol Duty Rise Triggers Fresh Wine Price Warnings
Sky News reports that a 3.66% alcohol duty increase due to take effect on Sunday 1 February is prompting industry warnings of knock-on price rises, including for wine, as producers and retailers pass costs through. The report highlights that while duty is paid by manufacturers, the sector expects a “trickle down” impact at the till, and it points to cumulative increases on wine duty over recent years as pressure builds. The duty rise was confirmed in the autumn budget by Rachel Reeves, with the article emphasising the change applies across beer, wine, and spirits.
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New Bordeaux Claret Gets Official PDO Recognition
The Guardian reports that Bordeaux has formally validated a new “bordeaux claret” style within its protected designation, positioning it as a lighter, lower-alcohol, less tannic red intended to be served chilled, and available from the 2025 vintage. The move is framed as a response to hotter growing seasons pushing alcohol levels up, and to shifting demand towards fresher, more casual reds, especially among younger drinkers. Producers are said to be adapting with shorter macerations and experimentation with heat-tolerant varieties, while keeping classic, age-worthy Bordeaux reds alongside this new category.