New York Post reports that Napa Valley wineries are facing renewed concern over groundwater use, after county data showed 2025 pumping above the level considered sustainable. The report says officials are looking at conservation incentives, irrigation checks and updated water analysis, while producers are also dealing with weaker wine demand and high regulatory costs.
Simon Judge
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Douro Port Producers Warn of a Deepening Crisis
The Times reports that Portugal’s Douro Valley, the historic home of port, is under pressure from falling consumption, rising costs and a disputed law that would require port to be fortified only with brandy distilled from Douro grapes. Producers argue that the change could sharply increase costs and damage sales, while supporters say it could help local growers, leaving the region facing a difficult debate over how to modernise without undermining its traditional economy.
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French Beer Overtakes Wine Consumption
The Drinks Business reports that beer has overtaken wine consumption in France for the first time in modern history, with Brasseurs de France putting beer consumption at 22.1 million hectolitres and the OIV putting wine at 22.0 million hectolitres. The shift reflects a wider decline in wine consumption, changing habits among younger drinkers, pricing pressure and the growing casual appeal of beer in a country long defined by wine culture.
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English Wines Win Record Gold Medal Haul
The Guardian reports that English wines won 25 gold medals at the 2026 International Wine Challenge, up from 10 last year, with England achieving the highest gold-medal percentage by entries and Kent leading the domestic regions. Judges pointed to older vines, longer maturation, improved vineyard knowledge and more confident winemaking as key reasons for England’s rise, while supermarket bottles from Aldi, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s also featured among the gold-medal winners.
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Olivier Goudet Acquires Wine-Searcher
The Drinks Business reports that French billionaire Olivier Goudet has bought Wine-Searcher through GLX U.S. Inc., adding the wine price comparison and data platform to his expanding wine interests. Wine-Searcher will keep its Auckland headquarters and UK office, with future growth focused on the US and wider international markets, plus more use of AI in drinks data services.
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UK Pub Wine Sales Face Pressure From Duty and Falling Demand
The Morning Advertiser reports that wine sales in pubs remain under pressure, with NIQ and CGA data showing still wine and Champagne down 8% last year, and sparkling wine down 6%. The article points to duty increases, pricing pressures and consumer caution, but also highlights operators using staff training, preservation systems, broader lists and more by-the-glass options to make wine feel more approachable and profitable in pubs.
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Wine Drinkers Seek Better No and Low Alcohol Alternatives
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.
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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.