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.
On trade
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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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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.