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- 🥈Is the Leading Wine Fair Losing Relevance?
🥈Is the Leading Wine Fair Losing Relevance?
In this week’s DECORKED digest, explore how wine can reach new generations, the ‘closure’ debate, signs of global recovery, rising import barriers, grape seed innovations, and sober weddings.
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Happy Monday! We hope you have a great week ahead. In this week’s DECORKED digest, explore how wine can reach new generations, the ‘closure’ debate, signs of global recovery, rising import barriers, grape seed innovations, and sober weddings. Keep reading!
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Read the most important and interesting news this week.
🚫 Thailand takes steps to ease its longtime alcohol ban READ HERE
🏆 Who will claim the title of European Wine City? READ HERE
🍸 How will tariffs affect the cost of glass? READ HERE
💡 Three hot topics from ProWein 2025 READ HERE
🍇 Bordeaux celebrates its Irish roots READ HERE
🔍 Best airlines for wine lovers READ HERE
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We curate, filter, and select only the most exciting and important news for you.
CAN THE WORLD’S BIGGEST WINE EVENT KEEP ITS EDGE?
Despite a third consecutive drop in attendance, ProWein 2025 attracted 42,000 professionals from 128 countries, reinforcing its global relevance. Organizers highlighted the fair’s strong showing in spirits and no/low-alcohol segments, along with expanded food and wine programming. However, Wine Paris continues to gain momentum, drawing more visitors and expanding rapidly, with UK wine professionals increasingly viewing it as a must-attend. While Wine Paris dominates in European offerings, ProWein still leads in showcasing New World producers, maintaining its strategic importance in the international wine trade calendar.
CONNECTING WITH NEW GENERATIONS OF DRINKERS
As non-alcoholic beverage sales rise and younger generations shift how they consume alcohol, the wine industry faces a challenge and an opportunity. Ian Bearup argues that wineries should shift from prestige to connection—offering immersive, trend-driven experiences, clear communication over buzzwords, and authentic storytelling. Rather than chasing prestige, Gen Z and millennials value authenticity, education, and storytelling. By meeting them where they are and offering meaningful experiences, wineries can build loyalty and ensure wine’s relevance in a changing market.
SCREW CAPS: PERCEPTION VS. PERFORMANCE
Despite decades of data supporting the reliability and consistency of screw caps, much of the premium wine world still clings to cork—less out of necessity than perception. Sommeliers and producers cite aesthetics, aging potential, and consumer expectations as key reasons for resisting Stelvin closures, even when the science points in another direction. For many professionals, cork carries emotional and symbolic weight, representing tradition, craftsmanship, and ritual. However, that attachment can be more about the industry image than product performance. In a sector that prides itself on evolution, the closure debate reveals a curious blind spot: a reluctance to let go of outdated biases, even when innovation might better serve the wine and the drinker.
GLOBAL WINE RECOVERY ON THE HORIZON?
A new study presented in Milan suggests the global wine sector could begin a recovery by 2026, with sustained growth from 2027, if inflation remains under control. Authored by economists Jean-Marie Cardebat and Davide Gaeta, the research emphasizes that this rebound won’t mirror past cycles due to shifting consumer behavior and market dynamics. Key trends include premiumization, wine tourism, and the rise of new global markets. According to the researchers, resilience will depend on strong leadership, flexible strategies, and smart diversification.
THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST MARKETS FOR WINE IMPORTS
In 2025, wine imports remain heavily impacted by policies and trade tensions, with some countries imposing tariffs so high they effectively block foreign wines. Egypt tops the list with a staggering 1,800% tariff on still wine and 3,000% on sparkling, followed by Iraq (200%), India (150%), and Indonesia (90%). These numbers show just how unpredictable the global wine trade has become and why producers and exporters need to stay agile as they face a growing patchwork of regulations around the world.
SOBER WEDDINGS ON THE RISE
A new survey of 7,600 couples shows growing demand for non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks at weddings. One in four guests now stay sober, and nearly 80% of couples offer non-alcoholic sparkling wines or mocktails. Stylish virgin aperitifs are replacing traditional juices, while interest in low-alcohol options is also on the rise, reflecting a shift toward more inclusive and mindful celebrations.
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT FIGHTS VINEYARD MILDEW
Grape seed extract has been approved by the European Commission as a basic substance for use against vine mildew, offering a more sustainable alternative to copper. French company Cérience plans to launch JDS1, a liquid biological fungicide made from the extract, for the 2026 season. Early trials in regions like Anjou and Burgundy show JDS1 can match the efficacy of full-dose copper treatments while significantly reducing the amount of metallic copper used—by more than half in some cases.
Discover wine events worldwide.
🍷 WineCologne (Spring) 2025 (April 5 - 6, Cologne, Germany) - LEARN MORE
🍷 Vinitaly 2025 (April 6 - 9, Verona, Italy) - LEARN MORE
🍷 Raw Wine (April 7, Verona, Italy) - LEARN MORE
🍷 Pour Choices Wine Fair (April 12, Brighton, UK) - LEARN MORE
🍷 Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival (April 10 - 13, California, US) - LEARN MORE
🍷 ProWine Tokyo 2025 (April 15 - 17, Tokyo, Japan) - LEARN MORE
🍷 Barossa Vintage Festival (April 23 - 27, Barossa Valley, Australia) - LEARN MORE
🍷 Texas Wine Auction (April 26, Texas, US) - LEARN MORE
Learn something new every week.
Copyright @ Winedering
WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: TULBAGH, SOUTH AFRICA
Nestled in a secluded valley north of Cape Town, Tulbagh is a lesser-known gem in South Africa's wine landscape. Encircled by the Obiqua, Winterhoek, and Witzenberg mountains, the region enjoys a unique terroir that fosters the cultivation of diverse grape varieties. Tulbagh's wineries are gaining recognition for producing exceptional Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, and Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines.
Copyright @ Vititec
GRAPE OF THE WEEK: NOUVELLE
Nouvelle is a white grape variety unique to South Africa, created by crossing Ugni Blanc and Crouchen Blanc. Initially developed to produce a lighter style of white wine with green apple flavors and refreshing grassy notes, it garnered attention in the early 2000s. Despite its potential, Nouvelle has remained relatively obscure, with limited plantings and production.
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