Wine News Archives

Welsh Wine Industry Thrives Amid Climate Shifts and Strategic Innovation

In the rolling hills of Wales, a quiet revolution is underway. Once considered too cold and damp for viticulture, the Welsh countryside is now home to a burgeoning wine industry that is defying expectations and thriving amid climate shifts and strategic innovation.

As global temperatures rise, regions previously unsuitable for grape cultivation are experiencing longer growing seasons and milder winters. Welsh vineyards are capitalizing on these changes, planting varieties that flourish in cooler climates and investing in technologies that enhance yield and quality.

Dr Kate Gannon has researched the impact of climate change on UK wine, said warming temperatures meant Wales had become “more suitable” for wine production, but warned of challenges ahead.

Local winemakers are embracing sustainable farming practices, from organic soil management to water conservation techniques, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of environmental stewardship. These efforts are not only producing exceptional wines but also positioning Wales as a model for climate-resilient agriculture.

The Welsh wine sector remains small compared to its English neighbour and is made up of micro-producers, but it has been growing rapidly. The Food Standards Agency Wales said 59 vineyards across the country were registered with them at the end of July.

The rise of wine tourism in Wales is another testament to the industry’s success. Visitors are drawn to the scenic vineyards, tasting rooms, and the stories of passionate vintners who are redefining what it means to produce wine in the UK.

With award-winning reds and sparkling wines gaining recognition, the Welsh wine industry is proving that innovation and adaptability can turn climate challenges into opportunities. As the vines of change continue to grow, Wales stands poised to become a key player in the global wine landscape.

EU Authorizes Three New Grape Varieties: Calardis Blanc, Magdeleine Noir, and Négret de la Canourgue

The French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty submitted a formal request to the European Union to update the Official Catalogue of Species and Varieties of Plants Cultivated in France. At the culmination of this process, three grape varieties, Calardis Blanc (white), Magdeleine Noir, and Négret de la Canourgue (both red) have now received official authorization.

Calardis Blanc, a hybrid derivative of Calardis Musqué and Seyve Villard 39‑639 developed by the Julius Kühn Institute (Geilweilerhof, Germany), is notable for its resistance to powdery mildew, downy mildew, and black rot. Previously approved since 2020 in Germany’s Rhineland‑Palatinate, it is now cleared for cultivation across France, where it is expected to yield wines with rich aromatic complexity, exotic fruit profiles, and pronounced acidity, traits favourable for sparkling wine production.

Magdeleine Noir, also referred to as ‘Black Magdeleine’, originated in Brittany and has been identified in the Charentes. It is genetically linked to Merlot and is described as a balanced cultivar of considerable complexity.

Négret de la Canourgue, hailing from the Tarn Valley, is characterized by vigorous growth, strong yields, late ripening, and a pale colour, qualities that render it especially suitable for lightweight rosé wine production.

This regulatory decision aligns with broader EU and national strategies to modernize and diversify viticultural production. As of late 2024, France had authorized 357 grape varieties for wine production and labelling, compared with roughly 700 in Italy, 260 in Spain, and 343 in Portugal. Meanwhile, Germany had approximately 465 permissible varieties, and Greece around 206.

The Rise of Hybrid and Resilient Varieties

Amid mounting climate-related pressures on traditional viticulture, hybrid grape varieties are gaining prominence. A study published in Nature Reviews Earth and Environment cautions that up to 70% of current winemaking regions may become unsuitable under continued average temperature increases. Hybrids like Calardis Blanc are championed for their disease resistance, reduced cultivation costs, and adaptability to extreme climate events, alongside their capacity to deliver higher yields with less intensive input demands.

New Findings Establish Historical Continuity Between Versailles Vineyard and 18th-Century Winemaking Practice

A centuries-old vineyard in Versailles dating back to 1787 has been brought back to life by Adrien Pélissié, a former Bordeaux winegrower and now owner of La Bouche du Roi winery in Versailles. While looking through historic regional maps, Pélissié made a remarkable discovery: the vineyard he planted in 2017, in the unusual shape of a shark’s fin, matched the exact location and layout of one marked on an 18th-century map, created 230 years earlier.

In the 17th century, the Île-de-France was France’s largest winegrowing region, with vineyards stretching across tens of thousands of hectares. However, by the early 20th century, viticulture in the region had virtually vanished. Any hope of bringing it back was quashed by French regulations brought in during the 1950s, which restricted commercial viticulture in Versailles and other parts of the country. That changed on January 1, 2016, when new EU regulations lifted restrictions on vineyard planting rights, paving the way for the revival of the region’s historic vineyards.

Pélissié states: “I was really moved when I realized that someone had planted vines in the exact same spot, hundreds of years ago. The vineyard even has the same distinctive shape—it curves like a shark’s fin. It’s a humbling thought, that someone back then saw the same potential in this land that we do today. We feel very fortunate to be part of the story of this place, bringing viticulture back to the region and honoring the French tradition that came before us.”

The discovery was made using the Plans d’Intendance, detailed cartographic surveys commissioned under Louis XV and Louis XVI. The specific map that revealed the vineyard’s past was dated 1787.

Today, the renaissance of viticulture in Île-de-France is well underway. Around 130 hectares (320 acres) of vines are now planted across the region, with La Bouche du Roi leading the charge. Situated in the former royal hunting grounds of the Plaine de Versailles—just 30 minutes from Paris—it is the region’s largest vineyard, spanning 27 hectares (67 acres).

About La Bouche du Roi

Founded in 2017 by Adrien Pélissié, La Bouche du Roi is a pioneering estate located just 30 minutes from Paris, on the historic Plaine de Versailles—the former hunting grounds of the Kings of France. The 27-hectare (67-acre) vineyard is farmed organically and planted with six grape varieties: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc for whites; Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc for reds. The winery, which French newspaper Le Figaro called the “most remarkable” discovery of 2024, welcomes visitors by appointment.

The estate takes its name from La Bouche du Roi, the esteemed royal household service responsible for overseeing the King’s table, including the sommeliers, cupbearers, and chefs who ensured the quality of food and wine served at the court of Versailles.

La Bouche du Roi is distributed via Bordeaux négociants (La Place de Bordeaux). In the United States, its wines are exclusively imported by Maison Barrière and are available in several states. They can be found in restaurants such as PerSe by Thomas Keller (New York), restaurants by Alain Ducasse (Paris), and Lafayette in Miami.

Two of the estate’s labels are also featured on Wine.com, making them easily accessible to consumers nationwide.

EU Exported €29.8 Billion Worth of Alcoholic Beverages in 2024: Top Markets Uncovered

In 2024, the EU exported €29.8 billion worth of alcoholic beverages, indicating a 10.9% increase since 2019 (€26.9 billion). Exports were dominated by wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines, representing 56.2% (€16.8 billion) of all alcoholic beverages. Spirits and liqueurs up the second biggest category, with 29.7% of the total (€8.9 billion), followed by beer, with 11.5% (€3.4 billion); cider, perry, mead, saké, and other fermented beverages, with 1.7% (€0.5 billion); and vermouth and other wines flavoured with plants or aromatics, with 1.0% (€0.3 billion).

France was the main EU exporter of alcoholic beverages to countries outside the EU in 2024, totalling €12.1 billion, representing 41% of the total. This country exported mostly wine (66.7% or €8.1 billion) and spirits and liqueurs (31.8% or €3.8 billion).

Italy followed in 2nd place with €6.0 billion (20% of the total EU exports to countries outside the EU), most of which (81.1% or €4.9 billion) was related to the export of wine. Spain and the Netherlands exported €2.5 billion and €2.3 billion (each 8%), respectively, but while the most significant category for Spain was wine (€1.6 billion), for the Netherlands it was beer (€1.3 billion).

Main Export Destinations:
United States and the United Kingdom

In 2024, the United States was the main destination for EU alcoholic beverages, with exports totalling €8.9 billion (30% of the total). More than half of this value, €4.9 billion, is related to export of wine and another €2.9 billion to spirits and liqueurs.

The United Kingdom was the second biggest trade partner, with €4.9 billion (17% of the total), mostly connected to wine exports (68% or €3.3 billion). This country was followed by China and Canada (each €1.6 billion) and Switzerland (1.4 billion). While exports of alcoholic beverages to Canada and Switzerland were mostly wine, the main export category to China was spirits and liqueurs, with €0.7 billion (45%), followed by wine (€0.5 billion, 34%).

Source: Eurostat

Spain Moves Toward Smaller Vineyards and Premium Wines

Spain’s wine sector stands at a pivotal crossroads, preparing to undergo significant structural and strategic transformations over the next five years. According to the recently published report “Spanish Wine Market Forecasts 2025-2030: Strategic Analysis and Projections” by Vinetur on April 25, the nation’s future in the global wine market will be shaped by a decisive shift towards smaller vineyard holdings, premiumization, and greater international competitiveness.

Spain, currently holding the title of the “world’s largest vineyard area” is expected to see a gradual contraction to approximately 900,000 hectares by 2030. This decline will primarily result from structural consolidation and the abandonment of less economically viable vineyards. Nevertheless, Spain will retain its leadership in vineyard surface area, albeit with a renewed focus on quality over quantity.

The report also highlights increasing production volatility caused by the impacts of climate change, including irregular harvests and variable yields. Despite these fluctuations, Spain’s annual wine production is projected to stabilize at an average of 31 million hectoliters. Wineries are proactively adapting by elevating product value, emphasizing quality improvements to boost average prices across both domestic and export markets.

Export forecasts remain particularly promising. Spanish wine exports are set to reach 21.2 million hectoliters by 2030, with a notable acceleration in value, surpassing €3.5 billion annually. This growth will be driven by strategic shifts toward bottled, organic, and sparkling wines, steering away from bulk wine exports. In a fiercely competitive landscape dominated by France and Italy, Spain’s focus on higher-value segments will be crucial.

Domestically, wine consumption trends present challenges. Household per capita consumption is projected to decline to 6.2 litres annually by 2030, reflecting an aging traditional consumer base and muted engagement from younger demographics. However, the Spanish domestic market’s overall value is forecasted to grow, underpinned by rising price points and a consumer migration toward mid-range and premium wines.

Emerging consumer preferences further illustrate a new market paradigm: the growing demand for organic wines, the surging popularity of low- and non-alcoholic offerings among urban consumers, and the ongoing shift toward e-commerce. Traditional retail channels are expected to lose market share as digital platforms gain traction.

Wine tourism emerges as another key growth pillar. An anticipated increase in winery visits and participation along Spain’s wine routes will diversify revenue streams and enhance brand loyalty, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized wineries that seek to foster deeper consumer connections.

Structurally, the number of active wineries is expected to decline modestly, stabilizing at around 3,780 by the end of the decade. This reflects an industry trend towards consolidation, where scale, operational efficiency, and investment capacity become critical factors for survival and success.

Climate change remains an existential challenge. Spanish viticulture will increasingly rely on sustainable practices, precision agriculture, heat- and drought-tolerant grape varieties, and the exploration of cooler sites at higher altitudes and latitudes to preserve wine quality and regional identity.

Ultimately, Spain’s wine sector is moving toward a lower-volume, higher-value model, prioritizing sustainability, quality, and terroir expression. How effectively the industry adapts to these economic, environmental, and consumer-driven challenges will define its global competitiveness and prestige in the decades ahead.

Source: https://www.vinetur.com