Category: Wine Trends

UK Wine Tourism Soars 55% – A Must-Visit Wine Destination

The UK wine tourism industry continues flourishing, demonstrating its critical role in supporting vineyards and rural economies. According to WineGB’s Tourism Report 2024, vineyard visits rose by 55% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching an impressive 1.5 million. This influx of tourism now accounts for a substantial 25% of vineyard revenue.

Wine tourism’s allure is far-reaching, with VisitBritain’s MIDAS Report indicating that 42% of inbound international tourists expressed strong interest in visiting a UK winery during their stay—equating to a potential 16 million visitors. The ongoing expansion of wine tourism showcases its importance as both an economic driver and a cultural attraction.

The UK’s 300 vineyards and wineries open to visitors have embraced this momentum, offering diverse experiences ranging from vineyard picnics and tours to fine dining and luxurious on-site accommodations. Estates are actively enhancing their appeal to attract both domestic and international guests.

WineGB has also launched the “Visit a Vineyard Guide” which highlights these offerings and provides detailed information for wine enthusiasts. In addition, WineGB urges policymakers to implement measures that will help sustain the sector’s growth. Among the proposed actions, 60% of producers forecast visitor numbers to rise by over 20% in the next five years, underscoring the need for strategic investment.

Collaborative efforts, such as training programs with VisitEngland and partnerships with Knight Frank, have further elevated the visitor experience, cementing wine tourism as an essential facet of the UK’s rural economy. Looking ahead, WineGB plans to unveil “The WineGB Guide to UK Wine Tourism” before the August Bank Holiday, featuring exceptional vineyard experiences, from tastings to cultural events.

As the industry flourishes, the growing popularity of English sparkling wine further highlights the UK’s burgeoning reputation in the global wine scene.

WineGB’s “Visit a Vineyard Guide” https://lnkd.in/em8UzvwY

Top 10 Countries with the Heaviest Wine Import Tariffs in 2025

Examples of these challenges include the United States’ proposed 200% tariff on European wines, China’s recently lifted 218% tariffs on Australian wines, and the consistently high import duties imposed by emerging markets such as India and Indonesia (OIV, 2024). These key examples illustrate how wine often becomes entangled in broader economic and geopolitical conflicts.

Below are listed [from low to high] the ten most significant wine import tariffs globally, encompassing both Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs and retaliatory measures. Furthermore, distinctions between tariffs imposed on bottled versus bulk wine are discussed where relevant.

1. Russia – 20% on EU wines (potential 200% retaliation) (EU Commission, 2024)

Russia increased its tariff on wines from “unfriendly nations” (mainly the EU, US and UK) from 12.5% to 20% in 2023. This measure, in retaliation for Western sanctions, applies equally to bottled and bulk wine. Russian officials have threatened a 200% protective tariff on EU wines in response to continued sanctions, which would effectively eliminate European wine from the Russian market. Wine from “friendly” nations (e.g., Chile, Armenia, South Africa) continues to enter under lower or duty-free terms.

2. Brazil – 27% MFN tariff on all imported wine (WTO, 2024)

Brazil applies a 27% import duty under the Mercosur Common External Tariff, making it one of the highest base tariffs among major economies. This rate applies to both bottled and bulk wine, with no preferential treatment for large shipments. Additional state and federal taxes often push final retail prices far higher.

3. Morocco – 49% MFN tariff (Moroccan Trade Ministry, 2024)

Morocco imposes an approximate 49% MFN tariff on imported wine. While the European Union benefits from reduced rates due to a trade agreement, non-preferential nations face steep barriers. The tariff applies to all types of wine equally, without distinction between bottled and bulk.

4. Vietnam – 50% MFN tariff (phased reductions for trade partners) (Vietnam Ministry of Trade, 2024)

Vietnam applies a 50% MFN tariff on wine imports. However, it has gradually reduced tariffs for the EU, Australia and Chile through free trade agreements, with European wine set to enter duty-free by 2027. The 50% rate still applies to non-preferential wines, including those from the United States.

5. Indonesia – 90% MFN tariff on all wine categories (Indonesia Trade Authority, 2024)

Indonesia enforces a 90% import duty on all wines, whether bottled or bulk. Additional taxes, including excise duties and VAT, often make wine prohibitively expensive, with retail prices sometimes three to four times the import cost. The high tariff aligns with religious and social restrictions on alcohol.

6. India – 150% tariff on imported wines (Indian Ministry of Commerce, 2024)

India imposes a 150% import duty on all wines, one of the highest rates globally. Though free trade negotiations with the EU and UK are ongoing, no major reductions have been secured. Australia has managed to reduce duties for premium wines through a trade deal, but for most exporters, India remains one of the toughest wine markets due to state-level excise duties that further raise costs.

7. Iraq – 200% tariff on all alcohol imports (Iraqi Trade Authority, 2024)

Iraq levies a 200% import duty on all alcoholic beverages, including wine. This extreme tariff, in place since 2016, is one of the highest globally, effectively tripling the cost of imported wine. There are few exceptions, with only diplomatic imports and some tourism-sector imports avoiding the full tariff burden.

8. United States – Proposed 200% tariff on EU wine (unconfirmed) 

US President Donald Trump has proposed a 200% tariff on European wine in retaliation for EU tariffs on US goods. While this tariff has not been formally imposed, its potential impact would be catastrophic for EU wine exports, as the US remains a key market for European producers. If enforced, it would likely eliminate most European wine sales in the US.

9. Malaysia – 150–250% effective tax on wine (Malaysian Trade Ministry, 2024)

Malaysia employs a complex tax system where import duties, excise taxes, and VAT combine to impose an effective 150% to 250% tax on imported wine. Unlike other countries with simple ad valorem tariffs, Malaysia calculates duties based on alcohol content and volume, making it one of the most expensive markets for wine imports.

10. Egypt – 1,800% MFN tariff on still wine, 3,000% on sparkling wine (WTO, 2024)

Egypt imposes a staggering 1,800% tariff on still wine and 3,000% on sparkling wine, making it the highest import tariff in the world for wine. These tariffs effectively ban foreign wine imports, with only limited exemptions for the tourism sector where a 300% tariff plus VAT applies.

Source:  The Drinks Business UK

Women in Wine Talks Interview With: Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta of Two Sisters Vineyards – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Discover Two Sisters Vineyards

Located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s renowned wine region,Two Sisters Vineyards exemplifies the Marotta family’s steadfast commitment to achieving excellence in both viticulture and hospitality. Established by sisters Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta, the winery embodies their shared vision of producing ultra-premium wines that honour the distinctive terroir of the Niagara River sub-appellation.

The estate encompasses over 130 acres, with cultivated varietals including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. Renowned for their dedication to sustainable farming practices, Two Sisters Vineyards have achieved recognition for its environmentally conscious approach.

At the heart of Two Sisters Vineyards lies a guiding philosophy: to craft super-premium and luxury wines through a non-interventionist approach to winemaking. By prioritizing the integrity of the fruit and the uniqueness of their property’s terroir, the winery consistently delivers exceptional, world-class wines.

Since its inception in 2014, Two Sisters Vineyards has garnered numerous accolades, including being named “Best Small Winery in Canada” by the National Wine Awards of Canada. Their 2014 Cabernet Franc, in particular, earned a prestigious platinum medal, showcasing the winery’s commitment to quality and innovation.

Melissa and Angela together have created a destination that combines exceptional wines with Italian-inspired culinary offerings at their onsite restaurant, Kitchen76.

The winery’s dedication to excellence extends to its digital presence, with an engaging website (Two Sisters Vineyards) and active social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, where they connect with wine enthusiasts worldwide. Two Sisters Vineyards stands as a beacon of innovation and tradition.

Interview With: Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta of Two Sisters Vineyards
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Liz Palmer: Which influential women in the wine industry have inspired you throughout your journey?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: We are inspired by the women who work alongside us at Two Sisters Vineyards. Many of us are mothers, daughters and sisters who work tirelessly together to make an impact here at TSV while juggling the demands outside the workplace. The wine industry in Ontario has many amazing inspiring women, many who are winemakers and stakeholders/owners.

Sue Ann Staff has been integral to the landscape here for many years. Thirty Bench has a very talented winemaker, Emma Garner, as does Tawse with Jessica Otting. There are many women working behind the scenes as well as out in the vineyard and in overall management. The industry has many talented women who are truly pivotal to each wineries success. Debbie Zimmerman stands out so much as CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario.  It all starts with the farmers here in NOTL and we very much advocate for all wineries here in the region to support and buy grapes locally. Debbie has been pivotal to raising this awareness and supporting this part of the industry here. At TSV all our fruit is estate grown and when needed, depending on the year, we will first and foremost support our neighbouring grape growers.

Liz Palmer: Could you share a particularly memorable experience or achievement
in your illustrious career?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: When we won Best Canadian Winery in 2018, we knew we were doing many things right!  It was a very proud moment for our team here in Niagara on the Lake. Adam Pearce our winemaker has been producing award-winning wines for TSV since we opened our doors and to see him get that recognition from his peers and the industry was very exhilarating. In 2019 we were recognized as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies by The Globe and Mail which gave us great exposure and the confidence to know we were scaling the company in the right direction.

Liz Palmer: What recent technological innovations have you and your team integrated into your winemaking process?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: In the last year we have invested in a temperature-controlled storage for our barrel fermentations. This allows for ideal conditions to ensure consistent quality. In an effort towards sustainable packaging, we have been working with a company to reduce our carbon footprint by washing and sanitizing a portion of our wine bottles to be reused for future wines. We also invested in a mechanical grape harvester so we can hone in on our picking date and time and efficiently pick our fruit at it’s ideal peak in ripeness and quality.

Liz Palmer: How do you ensure sustainability and uphold environmental responsibility in your vineyard and winery operations?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: We have several key practices that uphold our commitment to environmental responsibility, from sustainable farming to major conservation initiatives. We prioritize soil health by conducting annual nutrient sampling on our vines and soils across all blocks. Our vineyards are Certified Sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario. The program makes sure it is a sustainable journey from grape to glass. When it comes to energy efficiency, we implement technologies such as the Gregoire grape harvester and mechanical leaf removal. For waste reduction, we compost all our grape pomace. Additionally, our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program collaborates with a local university to scout our vineyards and conduct trials each year, ensuring the best understanding of vineyard pests. At every stage, sustainability remains a top priority as we farm with future generations in mind.

Liz Palmer: What are your perspectives on the No and Low Alcohol Wine Revolution, and how has your wine estate adapted to this burgeoning movement?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: We feel that drinking wine in moderation is the best way to achieve a well balance lifestyle.  Europeans have wine almost every day. There are also reports stating that drinking red wine is good for the heart (and soul!). Wine should not be categorized the same as hard spirits and this can get lost with those advocating for zero alcohol consumption. Wine is very much part of the enjoyment of food and is at our table for most meals. There needs to be a continued appreciation for winemaking as it is an art.  The cultivation and farming of grape from vineyards echoes the history that is deep rooted in our region and elsewhere in the world!

Liz Palmer: How do you and your team stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in the wine industry?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: We focus on quality and don’t necessarily follow all the trends. If there are advancements that we are made aware of we will get informed however we are not large producers and as a result, we lean towards a more traditional way of winemaking that values high quality barrels for longer aging.  We don’t want to mess up a good thing and to date focus on farming, hand tending to each vine, dropping fruit for lower yields and a talented winemaking team is what has made us successful and garnered our wines many accolades domestically and internationally.

Liz Palmer: What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to enter the
wine industry?

Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta: Focus on quality not quantity. Consumers who appreciate wine will respect anyone who is passionately focused on producing high quality premium wine. Also, don’t focus on growing and scaling too quickly. Make the effort to know the economics of the industry as it can be very risk oriented. Create a demand for your wine and focus always on producing the best that you can.

Wine Reviews: Two Sisters Blanc de Franc Sparkling 2020 +
Two Sisters Eleventh Post 2018

Two Sisters Blanc de Franc Sparkling 2020

Crafted in the Traditional Method from 100% Cabernet Franc, this sparkling wine stands as a hallmark of Two Sisters’ esteemed repertoire.
Displaying a luminous light lemon hue, this sparkling wine exhibits a persistent and vigorous effervescence. Aromatically, it unfolds with layers of elegance, showcasing fresh red berries interwoven with nuanced herbal undertones, vibrant lemon zest, and the refined allure of brioche.

On the palate, this sparkling wine is a symphony of freshness and complexity. The lively, creamy mousse provides a seamless foundation for flavours of crisp apple, red berry medley, with a delicate touch of lemon. Subtle brioche accents and a whisper of toast contribute to the wine’s creamy depth and complexity. Elevated by a bright, well-integrated acidity, it delivers a finely tuned structure that culminates in a medium-length, polished finish. This is a compelling and articulate expression of Cabernet Franc in sparkling form, offering sophistication and balance in every sip.
92 points
Liz Palmer

Two Sisters Eleventh Post 2018

The Two Sisters Eleventh Post 2018, a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot (48%), Cabernet Franc (24%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (28%), captures the essence of Niagara’s terroir.

This wine visually presents itself with a medium-intensity garnet hue. On the nose, it offers a sophisticated bouquet of cassis, black cherry, and ripe plum, interwoven with subtle dried herbs, anise, along with hints of cinnamon and clove from its oak maturation. These inviting aromas are complemented by delicate hints of wood char and dark chocolate.

The palate reveals a medium body, with rich and ripe flavours of black fruit, plums, and hints of black pepper. The velvet tannins provide structure, while vibrant acidity ensures freshness and balance. Layers of black cherries and nuanced dark fruit persist through to the finish, which is long, polished, and refined, leaving traces of spice and earthy undertones.

A standout in the Two Sisters portfolio, it exemplifies the finesse and depth of Niagara’s viticultural promise.
91 points
Liz Palmer

Nine Wine Regions Unite to Form “The Global AVA”

A few weeks ago, the Global Artisan Vintners Alliance (Global AVA) was announced, comprising nine prominent wine regions from around the world as its founding members.

The Global AVA has been established with the objective of fostering a mutually beneficial and sustainable alliance among the member regions. This collaboration unites wine regions from various parts of the world, promoting the exchange of experiences and the cultivation of robust relationships among partners. Through this cooperative effort, the participating wine regions aim to develop and fortify their respective industries.

The Nine founding wine regions include:

Livermore Valley Wine Community, California;
Texas Hill Country Wineries, Texas;
Chilecito, Argentina;
Dalmatia, Croatia;
Chinon, France;
Alentejo, Portugal;
Vale dos Vinhedos, Brazil;
Badacsony, Hungary;
and Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.

“On behalf of the entire Livermore Valley Wine Community, we are proud to have pioneered the effort to create The Global AVA,” said Brandi Lombardi, executive director of the Livermore Valley Wine Community. “As one of California’s oldest wine regions, Livermore Valley has a rich winemaking tradition, but it also embraces new techniques and a new generation of winemakers. This alliance will enable all partner regions to expand opportunities for winemakers and wineries, and to boost tourism in their regions.”

The Global AVA promotes international collaboration and information exchange among winemakers, wine associations, government representatives, tourism and economic development organizations, and business associations. Representatives from partner wine regions actively participate in professional development opportunities, which also help to grow the global presence of participating wine regions.
“I have dreamed of creating a global network of wine region partners, and I am pleased to see that it has been possible to realize this through the hard work of my team and the Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association,” said David Haubert, Alameda County District 1 Supervisor. “This alliance will bring tremendous value and innovation into the future, and I am excited to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative.”

Air New Zealand Debutes Premium Wine Label “Thirteen Forty Five”

Air New Zealand has recently introduced an exclusive new wine label, “Thirteen Forty Five,” available exclusively to its passengers.

Thirteen Forty Five was named in tribute to a significant milestone in the airline’s history – the inaugural flight from Auckland to Sydney in 1940, which covered 1345 miles. Operated by Air New Zealand’s predecessor, TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited), this flight ushered in a new era of air travel, connecting New Zealand to the world.

The label launches with two signature varietals, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, crafted in collaboration with renowned New Zealand wine producer Villa Maria, part of Indevin Group. These wines are now available in Air New Zealand lounges throughout New Zealand and in Premium Economy cabins on international flights.

Air New Zealand General Manager Customer Experience Kylie McGillivray-Brown says the unique blends have been carefully crafted to provide an exclusive experience for customers, whether they’re enjoying a glass in the air or while relaxing in a lounge.

About the Wines

The sauvignon blanc blends grapes from select vineyards in Marlborough’s Wairau and Awatere valleys, offering aromas of passionfruit, lemongrass, and subtle herbal notes. The pinot noir, sourced from vineyards on the eastern side of the Wairau valley, showcases flavours of cherry and plum with hints of dried herbs and violets.

Winemaker Tom Dixon of Villa Maria says: “We couldn’t have asked for better vintages to produce the debut release of these wines. The conditions during the growing seasons were very favourable for producing high quality wines that reflect their respective varieties and showcase the essence of sauvignon blanc and pinot noir from Marlborough.”