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In this week’s DECORKED digest, we dive into Michelin winery ratings, sparkling wine hotspots, Napa’s new take on luxury, the challenges pushing women out of wine, and much more
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Happy Monday! We hope you have a great week ahead. In this week’s DECORKED digest, we dive into Michelin winery ratings, sparkling wine hotspots, Napa’s new take on luxury, the challenges pushing women out of wine, and much more. Keep reading!
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Read the most important and interesting news this week.
⛓️‍💥 LVMH Champagne workers call for further strikes and protests READ HERE
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📉 Portugal wine production drops to 10-year low READ HERE
đź“Ś Are we about to hear more about Surrey wine? READ HERE
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We curate, filter, and select only the most exciting and important news for you.
MICHELIN ENTERS THE CELLAR
Michelin has announced the launch of Michelin Grape, a new one-to-three “Grape” rating system for wineries, extending its influence beyond restaurants and hotels into wine production. The system will assess estates and producers based on five criteria: agronomic quality, technical mastery in winemaking, identity and sense of place, balance in the wines, and consistency across vintages, with evaluations carried out by experienced wine professionals. Burgundy and Bordeaux will be the first regions rated, with results expected in 2026. While Michelin positions the Grape ratings as a trusted benchmark focused on both vineyards and the people behind them, questions remain about how this new framework may reshape global wine credibility and influence.
SPARKLING WINE REGIONS TO LOOK OUT FOR
As Champagne exports soften, sparkling wine remains one of the wine sector’s strongest performers, shifting attention to emerging regions. Etna, New Zealand, Corsica, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley are gaining momentum through a mix of distinctive terroirs, rising exports, experimental approaches, and improved production infrastructure. Together, they show how diversification and new regional identities are driving the next phase of global sparkling wine growth.
NAPA REDEFINES LUXURY
As younger consumers question ultra-high prices and trophy-driven buying, Napa Valley is reshaping its luxury identity beyond scores and investment value. Producers are leaning into sustainability, organic and dry farming, biodiversity, alternative vessels, spontaneous fermentations, and a broader palette of grapes and blends, while also experimenting with second wines, cross-AVA sourcing, new formats, and more personal, experience-driven sales models. The shift signals a move from excess toward authenticity, diversity, and connection, aimed at preserving Napa’s prestige in a changing luxury landscape.
ALCOHOL GOES DIGITAL
Despite slowing sales headlines, the U.S. alcohol market remains vast, and its next phase of growth is being driven by digital commerce operating within regulations written for a brick-and-mortar world. Because federal and state alcohol rules have not kept pace with e-commerce, producers, retailers, and unlicensed intermediaries have found room to innovate through online marketing, data-driven consumer engagement, and third-party platforms that connect supply and demand. This regulatory gap has expanded access, lowered barriers for smaller brands, and accelerated new routes to market.
ARE WINEMAKERS DITCHING ORGANICS?
Economic pressures are leading some winemakers to abandon organic and biodynamic practices in favor of conventional farming. Rising costs, complex certification requirements, and declining wine demand are prompting these shifts, as growers prioritize yield and financial sustainability. While environmental stewardship remains a consideration, many are choosing practical approaches that balance ecosystem care with the need to remain competitive in a challenging global market.
WHY WOMEN QUIT WINE
Despite growing representation, many women are exiting the wine industry due to harassment, discrimination, and inflexible working conditions. Challenges include unsafe work environments, biased attitudes, and difficulty balancing family responsibilities with demanding schedules. Gender pay gaps and limited leadership opportunities exacerbate the problem. Industry efforts, including new toolkits and awareness initiatives, aim to improve equity and retention, but cultural and structural changes remain critical to keeping women in winemaking.
SOUTH AFRICA GEARS UP FOR 2026 HARVEST
South Africa enters the 2026 harvest season with cautious optimism as stable weather, uniform budding, and healthy vine growth set the stage for a solid crop. While water availability remains a key constraint, improved bunch numbers in white varieties and careful vineyard management could yield a slightly larger harvest than last year. Continued investment in vineyards and wineries positions the industry to respond effectively to market opportunities.
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Copyright @ Vivino
WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: STEFAN VODA, MOLDOVA
Stefan Voda, a Protected Geographical Indication in southeastern Moldova, is renowned for its red wines, with vineyards spanning 1,107 hectares and favoring black grapes over white. Key varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and local Babeasca Neagra. The region’s gently sloping, mineral-rich soils and sunny climate create ideal conditions for grape growing.
Copyright @ Wine Tours Romania
GRAPE OF THE WEEK: BABEASCA NEGRA
Babeasca Neagra, also known as Rara Neagra, is an ancient dark-skinned grape from Eastern Europe, grown mainly in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. Valued for over 2,000 years, it produces light, fruity, high-acid red wines meant for early consumption. Late-ripening and thin-skinned, it resists spring frost but is prone to mildew.
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