Lincoln University and MGI Tech have teamed up to deploy advanced DNA sequencing, analysing tens of thousands of grapevine samples to identify genetic traits linked to disease resistance and resilience. Traditionally reliant on fungicides, New Zealand’s NZ$2.1 billion wine sector faces growing pressure from climate-driven disease threats and public concern over chemical use.

“The introduction of high-throughput sequencing has changed the game,” said Associate Professor Christopher Winefield of Lincoln University. “Instead of scheduled spraying, farmers can move to targeted, evidence-based treatments.”

Early results suggest significant reductions in chemical use, lower costs, and improved sustainability. The team plans to expand genomic tools across other crops and livestock, potentially transforming agriculture both in New Zealand and globally.

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Italy, the top wine exporter to the US, faces fresh uncertainty after Trump’s plan for 30% tariffs on EU imports from August. Giovanni Busi, of Consorzio Vino Chianti, views the crisis as a chance to expand into markets like Brazil, China and India, where wine demand is rising. Prosecco makers, heavily reliant on US sales, warn of strategic upheaval if tariffs hit. Meanwhile, Spanish producers see Canada, Latin America and Southeast Asia as promising alternatives, hoping new trade deals or retaliatory US tariffs could create openings. Industry leaders stress that securing stable, diversified markets is crucial for Europe’s €2 billion wine trade with America.
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Although the Liv-ex 100 index dipped -3% in Q2, the slide was gentler than previous quarters, suggesting fine wine prices may be adjusting to a new normal less rattled by geopolitical drama.

Bordeaux struggled, dropping -5.6% so far this year, hampered by a lacklustre En Primeur season and muted Asian demand. Burgundy saw a similar -5.6% fall as buyers cooled after past price surges.

Champagne fared better, slipping just -4.9% year-to-date and gaining +0.8% in June. Star performers included Rhône’s Domaine Jean Louis Chave 2021 Hermitage Rouge, soaring +36.8%, and California’s Screaming Eagle 2012, up +24.4%. However, looming tariff uncertainties threaten potential volatility in Q3.

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Tensions are rising across California’s wine country as renewed immigration raids threaten vineyard workers during the crucial growing season, shaking both families and the backbone of the state’s wine industry.

As the growing season hits full stride, California’s wine producers are contending not just with canopy management and shoot thinning, but with fear for their workers.

Recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have reignited anxiety in the immigrant communities that underpin the state’s wine workforce. Despite earlier reassurances, ICE has reversed a pause on raids targeting farms, hotels, and restaurants. Vineyard owners are now locking gates and coordinating emergency plans to protect workers, many of whom are undocumented or under temporary protections like DACA.

With harvest approaching, the threat looms large, not just to the crop, but to the community. As uncertainty deepens, protests continue statewide, and wineries brace for both human and economic fallout amid Trump’s aggressive enforcement policy.
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The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has unveiled an updated version of its prestigious Level 3 Award in Spirits, as the number of global students taking a WSET Spirits course surpasses 100,000 since the launch in 2003.

The refreshed qualification brings more depth to spirits production theory, improved accessibility, and a refined Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT). Students can now expect a clearer, more structured method for evaluating spirits, using simplified language and regional descriptors, while maintaining consistency across assessments.

Rob McCaughey, WSET’s head of business development for spirits, said the qualifications continue to transform lives and careers: “We really are the connective tissue of the industry...working with everybody, yet for nobody.”

The updated course includes improved tasting skills, more inclusive learning materials, and enhanced assessment support - ensuring learners are better prepared and more confident on their spirits education journey.
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From 21 to 29 June 2025, English Wine Week is returning with vineyard tastings, tours, workshops and food pairings for visitors to enjoy.

This nationwide celebration shines a spotlight on the quality and diversity of English wine, with events hosted at wineries, pubs, shops and restaurants across the country. From a sparkling wine high tea in Sussex to a winemaker’s dinner in Hampshire, the week is packed with unique experiences.

Vineyards like Hattingley Valley and Foxbury Fields are opening their gates for tours and tastings, while Wildshark Vineyard in Kent adds food pairings and giveaways. In Norwich, wine week offers tastings, masterclasses and meet-the-maker events.

Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or new to English wine, this is the perfect chance to discover delicious wines, support local producers, and share your journey using the #DrinkEnglishWine hashtag.

For a full list of activities go to English Wine Week

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