A shipment of fine Ukrainian wines destined for London was robbed near Dover this week, dealing a bitter blow to producers already working under wartime strain. Thieves stole five pallets, mainly of sparkling wine, from a lorry parked overnight at a CCTV-monitored site.

The shipment, organised by Ukrainian Wine Company UK, included wines from Kolonist, Grande Vallee and Chateau Chizay — vineyards located mainly in Odesa and Transcarpathia, far from but still affected by the Russian invasion. Some growers operate under air-raid alerts, with disrupted transport routes and labour shortages making exports especially challenging.

Brand ambassador Sera Karamshuk said the thieves “knew what they were doing”, deliberately targeting the most valuable bottles. Despite CCTV evidence, police have declined to pursue the case for lack of leads. CEO Svitlana Tsybak described the theft as “heartbreaking”, adding that every bottle represents “extraordinary effort amid extraordinary hardship.”

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A trio of reports from key wine regions reveal that 2025 has been a tough year for production worldwide, from drought and heat in Spain to abandonment and high costs in California, and rain-soaked vineyards in Germany. Yet, quality may still surprise.

Germany is forecasting its smallest harvest since 2010, down 7% on last year and 16% below the decade average, as rain and small berries hit yields in Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Baden and Württemberg. Despite this, growers report excellent ripeness and aromatic wines.

In Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha, relentless August heat cut production by as much as 30%, compounding years of low profitability and drought. Authorities stress a renewed focus on quality and fair pricing.

Meanwhile in California, vineyards have been abandoned or removed as soaring costs outpace returns. Tens of thousands of acres lie fallow, prompting new laws to tackle pest-ridden, unmanaged farms threatening nearby healthy vines.

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The latest Pour Index data reveals that wine lovers in the world’s wealthiest countries pay an average of around £8.20 for a mid-range bottle, roughly in line with global trends and close to what most Europeans spend.

A new comparison of the top ten OECD economies, using Data from Numbio, shows that Germany and Italy offer the best value, at just over £5 a bottle, while the UK and France sit around £6–£8. Canada and Australia reach £9–£10, and prices soar in South Korea (£13) and the US (£11).

Across Europe, prices remain more modest, averaging about £6.20, reflecting lower taxes and strong domestic production. The findings suggest that, despite higher duties in markets such as the UK and Nordic countries, the cost of a decent bottle for consumers in major economies remains reassuringly typical.

Rank Country Mid-range Bottle (£ 2025)
1 Germany £ 5.21
2 Italy £ 5.22
3 France £ 6.09
4 Japan £ 6.39
5 United Kingdom £ 8.00
6 Mexico £ 8.13
7 Canada £ 9.64
8 Australia £ 9.72
9 United States £ 11.25
10 South Korea £ 13.02
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The Michelin Guide is turning its attention from fine dining to fine wine, announcing plans to start reviewing wines, a move that could shake up the traditional 100-point scoring system.

Michelin, famed for its star-rated restaurant guides, says it will now bring its trusted brand to wine criticism. The announcement follows its 2019 acquisition of The Wine Advocate, once the gold standard for wine reviews under critic Robert Parker. Michelin’s global director, Gwendal Poullennec, hinted that the brand’s influence could surpass that of Parker’s legacy.

While details remain scarce, some industry watchers suggest Michelin may adopt its famous three-star rating system for wines, offering a simpler and more intuitive scale. Yet concerns remain over potential conflicts of interest, given Michelin’s partnerships with governments and tourism bodies.

Still, for many wine lovers, Michelin’s arrival promises a refreshing new take on how wines are judged and celebrated.

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Simpson’s Wine Estate in Kent is shifting 60% of its grapes into still wine production this year, as warmer weather has delivered riper, fuller flavours ideally suited to still styles. Co-owner Charles Simpson says the estate began harvesting two and a half weeks earlier than usual this year thanks to a sunny summer.

Located near Canterbury, Simpson’s has been a pioneer in English still wine since 2018, producing acclaimed labels such as Roman Road Chardonnay and Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir. Despite being outside the country’s largest producers, Simpson’s exports nearly half its output and represents a third of all English wine exports, with major sales in Norway, Canada and South Korea.

Their Gravel Castle Chardonnay, now Norway’s bestselling English wine, has seen remarkable success, prompting an additional eight hectares of Chardonnay planting. Ruth Simpson says this year’s ripeness and balanced acidity make 2025 'a brilliant vintage for still wines'.

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Champagne’s vineyards are evolving with the official addition of Pink Chardonnay to the list of authorised grape varieties. Experts have hailed these move as “a small revolution in the vineyard”.

Until now, Champagne’s AOC rules recognised seven grapes: Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay — the dominant trio — along with Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris (known locally as Blanc Vrai and Fromenteau). Pink Chardonnay, a natural mutation of Chardonnay Blanc discovered in the early 1900s, brings the count to eight traditional vinifera varieties. Voltis, a mildew-resistant PIWI hybrid is also permitted on a trial basis until 2032.

Pink Chardonnay owes its survival to ampelographer Rémi Couvreur-Périn, an expert in the study and classification of cultivated varieties of grape, who documented the Chardonnay mutation in 1926 and helped preserve its lineage. Officially ratified in August 2025, Pink Chardonnay is praised by Louis Roederer’s Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon as 'almost identical to white Chardonnay, but slightly more acidic and vibrant'.

Producers see both Pink Chardonnay and Voltis as adding resilience and biodiversity, helping Champagne adapt to changing climates without losing its finesse.

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