A Guide to Germany’s New Wine Classification System
Germany’s updated wine law—which is mandatory from the 2026 vintage—introduces PDOs, PGIs, and stricter regional control, but understanding the new hierarchy won’t necessarily be easier
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The New Rules of Wine Importing
Wine importers are adapting to volatility with sharper logistics, closer partnerships, and tighter cash management
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What to Expect from 7 Potential New AVAs
From Minnesota to New Jersey, seven proposed AVAs aim to distinguish emerging regions by climate, soils, and grape varieties
Can Cruise Ships Be a Meaningful Sales Channel for Wineries?
From dedicated charters to custom bottlings, wineries are leveraging cruise partnerships to capture engaged audiences and drive long-term sales
How 4 New Master Sommeliers Passed The Exam
The newest Master Sommeliers share the strategies that helped them prepare for—and ultimately pass—one of the wine industry’s most difficult tests
To Withstand a Tough Market, Vineyard Idling May Be the Solution
Rather than abandoning vineyards amidst declining demand, some grape growers are pressing pause with the hopes of resuming production in a few years
How an Outlier Region Is Reshaping Austrian Wine
Once on the margins, Burgenland is now a hub of ambitious winemaking that’s challenging Austria’s ideas about typicity and origin
Wildfires Are Testing Sierra de Gredos’s Wine Revival
The ethereal Garnachas of Sierra de Gredos have brought new recognition to this Spanish winemaking region, but after wildfires recently swept through the region, can the momentum continue?
What Makes a Great Wine List Today?
Encyclopedic lists and trophy bottles aren’t going away, but today’s best wine programs are finding new ways to stand out through thoughtful editing, distinct points of view, and more creative ways to guide guests
What You Need to Know About Albanian Wine
One of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, Albania is in the midst of a quality revolution as vignerons embrace native grape varieties
The Economic and Cultural Stakes of Losing Ancient Vine-Training Systems
As labor costs soar, global wine regions are forced to weigh the high expense of traditional vineyard design against its tourism appeal and climate-adapting benefits
Mourvèdre Was Made for Heat. Rising Temperatures Are Testing It
In a warming climate, even one of the world’s most heat-tolerant grape varieties is reaching its limits
The Story Behind the American Wine Crisis
The first half of 2024 has felt like a tidal wave of woe for U.S. wine producers, but what’s really going on? Winery professionals and industry analysts weigh in
Why More Wineries Are Betting on High-Volume Wines
Accessible, higher-volume SKUs are helping producers build resilience in a difficult wine market
4 Strategies Driving Successful Wine Rebrands
Producers are rethinking identity, design, and strategy to drive growth amid economic challenges and consumer shifts
Flavored Wines Are Leading Key Industry Trends in 2026
The growth of flavored wine offers lessons in accessibility, flavor, and meeting evolving consumer demand
Georgian Wine Looks Beyond Its Amber Identity
From Saperavi to western Georgian whites, a growing number of producers are pushing beyond amber styles to showcase the country’s full range
Is Phylloxera Still a Threat to the Global Wine Industry?
Genetic adaptation, leaf-feeding populations, and global movement are reshaping the modern phylloxera threat
Can Wine Appellation Systems Withstand Climate Change?
Extreme weather is testing long-standing appellation rules on allowed grape varieties, vineyard locations, and more, intensifying the debate over the future relevance of geographical indications
6 Wineries on the Rise in 2026
From the Iberian Peninsula to California, these six wine projects are capturing buyers’ attention with fresh ideas and serious results
5 Wine Industry Trends to Watch in 2026
Over the next year, wine businesses will be forced to make decisions based on difficult economic conditions, but Americans are still buying wine—and creating opportunities in certain categories
The Global Sparkling Wine Regions to Have on Your Radar in 2026
From countries with growing sparkling exports to islands that are just dipping a toe into bubbly production, these wine regions are worth taking a second look at for sparkling wine
Do Wine Improvement Districts Actually Benefit Local Wineries?
As more California wine regions consider the adoption of these controversial marketing funding models, vintners and regulators evaluate the pros and cons of wine improvement districts
Wine Is Getting Serious in China’s Ningxia Region
Just a few decades ago, Ningxia was an impoverished rural region in north-central China. Today, it is at the forefront of the country’s quality wine revolution
South African Chenin Blanc Clones May Be Key to the Loire Valley’s Future
Nearly 400 years ago, Chenin Blanc traveled from France to South Africa, where it thrived in a warmer, drier climate. Now, researchers from the two countries are teaming up to find more resilient clones amidst climate change
How to Start an Independent Wine Brand in 2025
In today’s tumultuous climate, launching a new wine label is no easy feat—but it’s not impossible. Founders and owners share their advice for successfully bringing a brand to market
