London Wine Fair 2026 recorded 10,539 visitors at Olympia, with attendance up 8.2% from last year's 9,741, marking the first time in six years above 10,000. Monday attendance rose 13.5%.

Under new owner Vindustrious, led by Hannah Tovey, exhibitor numbers also rose to 475 from 445 year on year. UK producers increased fivefold, reflecting strong domestic momentum and the success of the show's inaugural 'Host Nation' initiative which championed wines from Great Britain.

The UK drinks trade made up 82% of visitors, with 61 countries represented. The top five visitor countries were the UK, Italy, France, the US and Spain.

Vindustrious ownership and a management buyout signalled structural change, with the addition of a beer zone and spirits presence expanded, to add energy through a broader drinks offering. Organisers reported stronger engagement across all categories and deemed the event a resounding success.


Show less »

Winemakers across England are facing repeated severe spring frosts that have damaged young buds during a critical stage, raising fresh concerns over the 2026 harvest and adding further pressure to already rising production costs.

At Black Chalk in Hampshire, winemakers report significant financial and operational strain, with frost protection spending already far above budget and staff working overnight shifts using fog machines and frost guards.

Oastbrook Estate in East Sussex has also experienced patchy frost damage, with some vineyard areas hit hard while others near woodland remain largely unaffected. Meanwhile, growers continue deploying heaters, braziers and protective systems in an effort to limit losses as the season unfolds.

Squerryes in Kent suffered its most severe frost since 2017, though some producers remain hopeful that secondary shoots will recover yields, while others with advanced systems have so far protected vines successfully during the cold spell across key English wine regions this year.

Show less »

Wine producers around the world are watching weather forecasts closely as climate scientists warn that a potentially powerful El Niño could develop later this year.

The weather phenomenon, caused by warming sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, can dramatically alter rainfall and temperatures across major wine-producing regions. Experts fear a strong event could bring drought, heatwaves and bushfires to some countries, while others face flooding and increased disease pressure in vineyards.

Australia is expected to be among the most vulnerable. El Niño conditions there are often linked to extreme heat, water shortages and reduced grape yields. Regions such as Barossa and McLaren Vale could see earlier harvests and lower production if dry conditions intensify.

South Africa may also struggle with drought and water stress, while Chile and Argentina could experience heavier rainfall and flooding in some vineyard areas.

California’s wine regions face a mixed outlook. Wetter winters may help replenish reservoirs after years of drought, but excessive rain can increase mildew pressure and raise the risk of landslides in hillside vineyards.

European producers are less directly affected, although warmer summers and more frequent heatwaves remain a concern for regions in France, Italy and Spain.

Wine analysts say consumers could eventually notice higher prices and greater vintage variation if extreme weather disrupts harvests across multiple countries at the same time.

At the same time, cooler-climate regions such as England may continue to benefit from gradually warming growing conditions, helping further boost the profile of English sparkling wine.

Show less »

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 »