New research on Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines grown in Chile’s arid zone found signs that vines exposed to repeated drought may develop a form of “stress memory,” helping them use water more efficiently and recover more strongly when irrigation returns.

The study, led by Denisse Zamorano and colleagues, compared three treatments: control, single-drought, and double-drought. Double-drought vines showed higher water-use efficiency and stronger recovery post-rewatering.

Researchers suggest this “stress memory” could aid vineyards facing climate-driven droughts. However, the experiment used young vines in containers, not commercial vineyards. The findings, published in IVES OpenScience, highlight potential for adaptive irrigation strategies in water-scarce regions.

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Spanish wine giant Familia Torres has slashed CO2 emissions by 47% since 2008. The Penedès-based producer revealed its 2025 reduction spans all scopes, from vineyards to consumers, marking a significant milestone in its sustainability journey.

The 2008 baseline marked the start of its carbon footprint tracking. Achieving B Corp accreditation earlier this year, Torres has focused on regenerative viticulture, cutting agricultural inputs like fertilisers and herbicides. A reusable bottle and wine barrel programme in the Netherlands extends packaging lifespans, while multi-modal transport in Germany and the Netherlands, combining rail and road, further reduces emissions.

Mireia Torres, director of innovation and sustainability, said: “Our 2025 result stems from sustained effort across vineyards, wineries, suppliers, and markets. Our team’s shared vision drives progress, and we’ll keep fighting climate change through our wines.”

The winery aims to build on its achievements, reinforcing its role as a sustainability pioneer in the wine industry.

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Château Lafleur has intensified Bordeaux’s irrigation debate after watering its vines in June before any official approval in Pomerol. The estate had already left the Pomerol and Bordeaux AOC systems from the 2025 vintage, seeking greater freedom to adapt to climate change.

The renowned estate chose to sell its wines as Vin de France from the 2025 vintage, abandoning the traditional appellation framework to allow more flexibility in vineyard management. The decision echoes Italy’s Sassicaia, which famously stepped outside existing classification rules to pursue its own quality ambitions.

Lafleur says its early irrigation in 2026 is based on scientific measurements, using limited water to prevent vines suffering severe hydric stress during extreme heat. The estate argues that waiting for official approval could come too late, risking damaged vines and reduced quality.

However, critics warn that a wider relaxation of irrigation rules could have unintended consequences, particularly at the cheaper end of the market, since excessive watering can encourage higher yields.

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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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