Canada’s restrictions on US alcohol have dealt a sharp blow to American wineries, cutting exports by $343 million and intensifying tensions ahead of key trade talks this year.

Trade data shows US wine exports to Canada fell 77% between 2024 and 2025 after provincial liquor stores removed American products in early 2025 in response to tariffs.

For years Canada was the largest foreign buyer of US wine, but most provinces stopped carrying American labels, leaving only limited sales in privatised markets such as Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Washington is pressing Ottawa to restore access, arguing the restrictions are damaging producers in key wine states including California as well as bourbon regions in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The dispute has become part of wider North American trade negotiations expected to feature in upcoming talks under the Canada US Mexico Agreement review cycle later this year, amid ongoing tariff tensions between the two countries.

Show less »

French growers are urging Brussels and Paris to lift a long-standing ban on hybrid grapes, arguing the vines could help vineyards cope with heat, drought and disease while reducing chemical use.

In the Loire Valley, retired grower Daniel Mondon has championed old hybrids such as Baco, Seibel and Couderc, saying he farmed without pesticides and still achieved healthy vines and low intervention winemaking.

Advocates say the ban, in place since 1934 and carried into EU rules, no longer fits a warming climate where disease pressure and drought are increasing across vineyards.

The debate has reached Brussels, with supporters arguing hybrids pose no added methanol risk, while officials continue to review restrictions. Some producers now sell wines as fermented grape juice beverages, and new growers in France and Italy are expanding plantings for resilience and lower chemical inputs.

Show less »

English wines have achieved their strongest ever showing at the International Wine Challenge, winning a record 25 gold medals and topping the table for golds per entry, with England and Kent leading the way.

Experts said the surge reflects maturing vineyards, longer bottle ageing and improved precision in the winery. Older plantings, such as those at Nyetimber, are now delivering greater complexity, while producers like Wiston are gaining recognition for aged cuvées. Warmer English summers are also supporting ripening, particularly in the most southerly vineyards.

Overall England ranked ninth, but led globally on golds per entry. France remained top in the medal table, followed by Spain and Portugal. Judges said English wine is now judged alongside the world’s best on quality alone, in this year's International Wine Challenge competition.

Show less »

South Africa’s 2026 wine harvest reached 1.37 million tonnes, placing it firmly back in the upper-middle of the country’s recent historical range and marking the strongest crop since 2022.

The figure is above last year’s smaller vintage and broadly in line with South Africa’s typical modern production band of around 1.2 to 1.5 million tonnes.

That puts 2026 closer to a 'normalised' recovery year after more variable and weather-affected seasons earlier in the decade, rather than a record-breaking peak or a structural expansion in output.

Show less »

President Donald Trump has warned the European Union it must approve a long-awaited trade framework by 4 July or face higher tariffs on exports, raising pressure on the wine trade.

Trump made the comments as his administration pushed Brussels to finalise last year’s deal intended to ease transatlantic tensions and stabilise trade flows, but officials say progress has slowed amid political resistance in several member states.

European wine producers in France, Italy and Spain are watching closely, warning that higher tariffs could hit US sales, raise prices for importers, and squeeze margins across the distribution chain during key summer trading months.

The July 4 deadline now leaves negotiators a narrow window to secure approval, with analysts saying failure to reach agreement could trigger a fresh round of tariffs affecting a wide range of European exports entering the United States if talks stall further in coming weeks and months ahead.

Show less »

Wine-Searcher, the world's largest pricing database for wine and spirits, has been acquired by GLX U.S. Inc, a subsidiary of the Goudet family's investment company, Platin Sarl. The company will remain headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, while continuing operations in the UK.

Chief executive Julian Perry said the business is excited about its next phase of growth, particularly after years of investment in technology, data and AI. GLX said it plans to support further expansion, especially in the key US market.

Wine-Searcher currently lists 18 million drinks offers from 35,000 retailers across 130 countries. The platform serves around 60 million users annually and processes millions of daily searches and website requests.

The company says it will continue developing AI tools and strengthening its position as a leading source of drinks market intelligence.

Show less »