The Michelin Guide is turning its attention from fine dining to fine wine, announcing plans to start reviewing wines, a move that could shake up the traditional 100-point scoring system.

Michelin, famed for its star-rated restaurant guides, says it will now bring its trusted brand to wine criticism. The announcement follows its 2019 acquisition of The Wine Advocate, once the gold standard for wine reviews under critic Robert Parker. Michelin’s global director, Gwendal Poullennec, hinted that the brand’s influence could surpass that of Parker’s legacy.

While details remain scarce, some industry watchers suggest Michelin may adopt its famous three-star rating system for wines, offering a simpler and more intuitive scale. Yet concerns remain over potential conflicts of interest, given Michelin’s partnerships with governments and tourism bodies.

Still, for many wine lovers, Michelin’s arrival promises a refreshing new take on how wines are judged and celebrated.

Show less »

Simpson’s Wine Estate in Kent is shifting 60% of its grapes into still wine production this year, as warmer weather has delivered riper, fuller flavours ideally suited to still styles. Co-owner Charles Simpson says the estate began harvesting two and a half weeks earlier than usual this year thanks to a sunny summer.

Located near Canterbury, Simpson’s has been a pioneer in English still wine since 2018, producing acclaimed labels such as Roman Road Chardonnay and Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir. Despite being outside the country’s largest producers, Simpson’s exports nearly half its output and represents a third of all English wine exports, with major sales in Norway, Canada and South Korea.

Their Gravel Castle Chardonnay, now Norway’s bestselling English wine, has seen remarkable success, prompting an additional eight hectares of Chardonnay planting. Ruth Simpson says this year’s ripeness and balanced acidity make 2025 'a brilliant vintage for still wines'.

Show less »

Champagne’s vineyards are evolving with the official addition of Pink Chardonnay to the list of authorised grape varieties. Experts have hailed these move as “a small revolution in the vineyard”.

Until now, Champagne’s AOC rules recognised seven grapes: Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay — the dominant trio — along with Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris (known locally as Blanc Vrai and Fromenteau). Pink Chardonnay, a natural mutation of Chardonnay Blanc discovered in the early 1900s, brings the count to eight traditional vinifera varieties. Voltis, a mildew-resistant PIWI hybrid is also permitted on a trial basis until 2032.

Pink Chardonnay owes its survival to ampelographer Rémi Couvreur-Périn, an expert in the study and classification of cultivated varieties of grape, who documented the Chardonnay mutation in 1926 and helped preserve its lineage. Officially ratified in August 2025, Pink Chardonnay is praised by Louis Roederer’s Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon as 'almost identical to white Chardonnay, but slightly more acidic and vibrant'.

Producers see both Pink Chardonnay and Voltis as adding resilience and biodiversity, helping Champagne adapt to changing climates without losing its finesse.

Show less »

A British man who ran a fake fine wine investment scheme that tricked investors out of nearly $100 million has pleaded guilty in the US, marking the latest chapter in one of the industry’s biggest fraud cases.

James Wellesley, 59, admitted his role in the scam during a hearing in Brooklyn federal court on 7 October, according to Bloomberg. He had fought extradition for several years before being transferred from the UK in July 2025.

Prosecutors said that between 2017 and 2019, Wellesley and co-defendant Stephen Burton used their company, Bordeaux Cellars, to lure investors with promises of high-interest loans secured against rare wines. In reality, neither the collectors nor the bottles existed.

Burton pleaded guilty in July to wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracy and will be sentenced in January. Wellesley’s lawyer has declined to comment.

Show less »

Ordering wine by the glass has shifted from a 'cheapskate' option to one reflecting an enthusiasm to explore, according to Jancis Robinson MW.

With more consumers willing to pay £15–£20 a glass, premium pours are finally going mainstream. At the launch of The Coravin Guide in London, Jancis Robinson joined Coravin founder Greg Lambrecht and restaurateur Xavier Rousset MS to celebrate venues championing top-tier wines by the glass.

Rousset revealed he recently sold a £50 glass of Champagne within a week or two of putting it on the wine list, admitting that five years ago he wouldn’t have risked it.

A survey of drinkers in the UK and Australia found half are ordering more wine by the glass than two years ago, with many eager to sample high-end bottles. Coravin’s new digital guide is a global digital platform showcasing restaurants, bars, hotels and private clubs that put strong emphasis on wine by the glass programmes.

Each venue was evaluated using The Coravin Guide's Glass Distinction Tiers:

One Glass Rating - 20-40 wines by the glass
Two Glass Rating - 41-60 wines by the glass
Three Glass Rating - 60+ wines by the glass

Show less »

France has reclaimed its title as the world’s top wine tasting nation, triumphing at the 2025 World Wine Tasting Championship. Held in the atmospheric Fort des Rousses in eastern France, the event saw teams from 43 countries identify 12 fine wines served blind in decanters.

After two years of training, France’s team clinched victory in the final round by correctly identifying a 2021 Hungarian Tokaji made from Furmint grapes. China came second, and Australia third. The competition featured wines from across the globe, from Champagne to Stellenbosch, and tested each team’s ability to pinpoint grape variety, vintage, region and country.

While France celebrated its return to the top with 135 points, newcomers Wales made a debut, Kenya’s all-female team, the youngest of the event, embraced the fun spirit of the competition, and Britain (aka the “Anglo-Scots”) finished a respectable ninth with 102 points.

Show less »