Crémant is enjoying a lively boom as Champagne sales slow, with UK retailers reporting strong demand and producers across France expanding output.

It seems Crémant is on a roll, while French wine exports fell again in 2024 and Champagne shipments dropped 9.2%, Crémant surged ahead as budget-conscious drinkers sought celebratory sparkle without the premium price tag.

Producers shipped 114.5 million bottles last year, up 5.9%, with Henkell Freixenet reporting a remarkable 16% rise.

UK retailers are seeing the same uplift. Morrisons now sells six times more Crémant than when it first launched the style, while Waitrose reports 9% growth and sold out of its £10 Crémant deal. Marks & Spencer has also expanded its range after a “massive surge” in interest.

Across regions such as the Loire and Alsace, producers highlight value, freshness and regional character. With extended ageing, hand-harvesting and diverse styles, Crémant is increasingly seen as an accessible and exciting alternative to Champagne.

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Global wine production is set to reach around 232 mhl in 2025 – a welcome 3% lift on last year’s historic low, though still well below the five-year average. The modest recovery reflects slightly improved conditions across both hemispheres, yet output remains constrained by climate-driven challenges.

Global production, as reported in the OIV 2025 World Wine Production Outlook, rose gently thanks to rebounds in Italy, Central Europe and parts of the Southern Hemisphere, even as France, Spain, Chile and several US regions continued to struggle.

Italy holds its crown as the country with the largest wine production. A crown it has held for 4 of the last 5 years. France posts another historically small harvest and Spain falls below 30 mhl for only the second time in 30 years. Southern Hemisphere results were mixed, with New Zealand, Australia, Brazil and South Africa recovering strongly, offsetting sharp declines in Chile and weaker US volumes.

With global demand muted and inventories high, the slightly tighter 2025 supply should keep markets broadly balanced, with price effects expected to remain regional rather than global.

Million Hectolitres by Country
Italy 47.4
France 35.9
Spain 29.4
USA 21.7
Australia 11.6
Argentina 10.7
South Africa 10.2
Chile 8.4
German 7.3
Portugal 6.2



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The London Wine Fair is embarking on a bold new chapter after event director Hannah Tovey completed a management buyout, describing the move as “exciting if a little bit terrifying” as she takes full control of the UK’s flagship drinks exhibition.

The buyout sees Tovey establish a new company, Vindustrious, backed by private investor Perrin & Partners. She and her husband have acquired the fair from the Hemming Group, which launched the event in 1981 but is now stepping away to focus on its core sectors. Tovey said the shift is “life-changing”, noting that the fair can now operate with greater agility and independence.

All five members of the existing team will remain, ensuring continuity as preparations continue for the 2026 show. Following a strong 2025 edition that delivered a 40% revenue jump, Tovey promises stability next year, with major innovations planned for 2027, including a new drinks-industry service powered by LWF’s extensive data.

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The Tuscan regional government has approved the creation of Chianti DOP Rosé, marking a fresh chapter for one of Italy’s most famous wine regions. The move aims to counter years of falling prices and sluggish demand for traditional Chianti reds.

The new rosé style will be formally included in the production rules, requiring at least 50% Sangiovese, with the remainder made up of approved Tuscan grape varieties. Alcohol must reach a minimum of 9% and yield limits have been set.

While final approval from Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture is pending, it is widely expected, but not everyone is convinced. Critics fear that rosé risks diluting Chianti’s identity, but supporters see it as essential for rejuvenating the region.

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California’s 2025 wine harvest has revealed a deepening crisis, with vast tracts of vineyards abandoned as growers struggle to cover rising costs. Industry leaders warn of the state’s smallest crop in decades as producers cut back on grape purchases.

According to Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter, around 20,000 hectares were left unharvested this year, on top of 40,000 hectares cleared since 2024.

The Sonoma County Winegrowers estimate that 30% of grapes grown this season went unsold as major buyers like Constellation Brands and Jackson Family Wines reduced their intake.

The total harvest may drop another 400,000 tons from last year’s already low 2.9 million. Across regions such as Lodi, ghost plots now litter the landscape. A new Californian law allows fines of up to US $1,000 per acre for neglected vineyards, aimed at curbing pest and disease risks from abandoned vines.

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Ridgeview Wine Estate, one of England’s most acclaimed sparkling wine producers, has entered administration but will continue to operate while talks with a potential buyer take place, according to administrators FRP Advisory.

The Sussex-based winery, founded in 1995 by Mike and Chris Roberts, is regarded as a pioneer of English sparkling wine. FRP confirmed that Ridgeview will “continue trading under administration” after securing funding to maintain operations while a sale is completed. Joint administrators Phil Harris and Neville Side said their priority is to ensure “business as usual for customers, suppliers and the wider trade”.

Ridgeview’s management team remains in place to oversee day-to-day operations at its Ditchling Common site, with production and customer service continuing uninterrupted. Despite the challenges, FRP expressed optimism that a successful sale will safeguard the future of this highly respected English wine producer.

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