A new laboratory technique could make it quicker and more accurate to confirm where a wine was produced. By analysing the wine’s unique inorganic ‘fingerprint’, researchers say the method could strengthen anti-fraud checks and improve confidence in origin claims.

Scientists have developed a faster way to verify a wine’s geographic origin by measuring 23 inorganic elements with exceptional precision. Published in Food Chemistry, the technique uses advanced mass spectrometry to create a detailed elemental profile that reflects the soil, water and growing conditions where the grapes were cultivated.

The researchers found the method can reliably distinguish wines from different regions, offering laboratories a powerful new tool for authenticity testing. Compared with existing approaches, it delivers improved speed and analytical accuracy, making it more practical for routine checks.

If adopted more widely, the technique could help wineries, importers and regulators confirm provenance, protect appellations and reduce wine fraud. As demand for trusted origin claims grows, this chemical fingerprinting method could become an important safeguard for both producers and collectors.

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The UK's first British-made sparkling wine bottle has entered full production, with nearly one million bottles already manufactured. The launch marks a milestone for English and Welsh wine producers, offering a home-grown alternative to imported glass.

The new Sovereign bottle, developed by Croxsons and manufactured by Encirc, has been designed specifically for English and Welsh sparkling wines. Made from 49% recycled glass, its distinctive amber colour could help wines stand out on shelves while strengthening the industry's identity.

Producing bottles in Britain is also expected to improve supply chain resilience by reducing reliance on European imports and avoiding border delays. Shorter transport distances could cut emissions by up to 7.7 tonnes of CO₂ for every 100,000 bottles ordered.

Following its first successful production run, the bottle is now available to wineries including Three Choirs and Ridgeview, with supporters describing it as a defining moment for the fast-growing British sparkling wine sector.

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Record heat across Europe is accelerating grape ripening, raising alcohol levels and prompting growers to rethink vineyard management. From Italy to France, producers are adapting to hotter, drier conditions while trying to protect wine quality and preserve regional character.

Record-breaking temperatures across Europe are impacting vineyards, with producers reporting earlier harvests, sunburnt grapes and rising alcohol levels in wines. In Italy’s Piedmont region, growers expect harvesting to begin up to a month earlier than usual as prolonged heat, drought and violent storms speed up ripening.

Higher temperatures are concentrating sugars in grapes, meaning wines that once reached around 12% alcohol may now exceed 14%. Some vineyards are also showing sunburn damage and partial berry dehydration, although experts say it is too early to judge the overall quality of the 2026 vintage.

Growers are changing long-standing practices to protect fruit. Instead of removing leaves to expose bunches, many are retaining more foliage to provide shade, while some are investing in shading nets, improved soil management and other measures to reduce heat stress.

France is also preparing for a hotter future. Regulators are reviewing appellation rules to allow greater flexibility over irrigation, planting density and even approved grape varieties, aiming to help vineyards adapt to climate change without losing the distinctive character of their wines.

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International Wine Challenge will split into four regional competitions from 2026, moving judging closer to producers before gold medal wines progress to London for international trophies.

Wines will still be judged blind within each region before advancing to London for international trophy evaluation. The Americas competition will take place in Mendoza in November 2026, followed by Asia Pacific in Adelaide and Europe in Montpellier. The UK judging stage will be held in London in May 2027. Gold medal wines will return to London for final International Trophies judging. The awards ceremony will follow at Guildhall in September 2027.

Owner Chris Ashton said the restructure improves accessibility and strengthens links with regional producers. New regional co-chairs include leading Masters of Wine and journalists across key markets.

Entries for Americas open on 1 July and Asia Pacific entries follow later in July. The model reduces shipping and brings judges closer to wines globally.

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UK hospitality has a glimmer of hope as new figures reveal a 9% drop in insolvencies, from 301 cases in April to 274 in May. This welcome dip follows a challenging start to the year, with insolvencies rising by 22% in February and remaining high throughout March and April.

Industry experts are hailing this reprieve as a sign of stability, with Saxon Moseley from RSM UK commenting, 'Operators are managing to hang on, helped by the hot weather and May bank holiday.' He also predicts a further boost in demand with the World Cup's arrival, potentially setting the stage for a gradual recovery.

With Andy Burnham poised to take the reins as Britain's next Prime Minister, his hospitality policy agenda will be under scrutiny, particularly with regards to VAT cuts and business rate reductions.

However, the sector is warning that the pressure is far from over. Hospitality businesses continue to face rising costs and a 20% VAT rate, prompting a new campaign called #VATsTheProblem. Industry leaders are calling for VAT to be reduced to 10%, arguing that a fairer rate would help protect jobs, support pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels and nightclubs, and strengthen high streets and communities. The campaign points out that countries including Spain, France, Italy, Ireland and Germany already support hospitality with lower VAT rates.

Sign the petition at www.vatstheproblem.co.uk

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Bordeaux’s 2025 en primeur campaign delivered some excellent wines, but only a handful of châteaux truly won buyers over on price, according to WineCap and leading merchants. In a market full of tempting back vintages, value mattered more than hype.

WineCap said fewer than ten of around 130 commercially significant releases really answered the trade’s call for compelling pricing. Lafite Rothschild, Ducru-Beaucaillou and Léoville Las Cases were among the stand-out successes, with prices pitched attractively against strong physical vintages already on the market. Merchants also highlighted Cheval Blanc, Mouton and Batailley as bright spots.

Yet the wider campaign appeared to lose momentum despite strong reviews for the vintage itself. Buyers remained cautious, releases were uneven, and many 2025 wines struggled to look irresistible when compared with 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 already in bottle. The message from the trade was clear: in modern Bordeaux, quality alone is not enough — en primeur must offer obvious value.

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