​Untouched by Light – the world’s first sparkling wine made, sold and tasted in complete darkness

The largest merger of the 21st century in Champagne was completed yesterday, and sees the creation of a new super cooperative group with the capacity to produce 24 million bottles.

​Vinexposium cancels Hong Kong fair to focus on China

Trade show organiser Vinexposium has cancelled its Hong Kong fair set for May 2022 to focus on its China event, due to take place in Shenzhen for the first time.

Alcohol and COVID-19: Good news for red wine drinkers, but blow for beer boozers?

People who consume red wine between one to more than five glasses a week had a 10 to 17% lower risk in contracting COVID-19, but beer drinkers had a heightened risk, according to a recent study.

​The drinks trends most affected by the pandemic and what to expect next

We consider the drinks trends that have been most affected by the pandemic, as well as the areas of sales growth in the future.

Historic merger in Champagne creates giant group

According to Professor Emerita Ann C. Noble[1], the exposure of wine to daylight or artificial lighting results in what is commonly known as light-struck aromas (goût de lumière).

Why Argentina deserves a place in your wine cellar

​Argentina might be planted firmly in the new world, but the meticulous approach of its winemakers and growing confidence in their craft has seen it propelled into the world of fine wine at impressive speed.

Impending China import laws cause chaos

New rules for food and beverage makers, set to kick in from 1 January, are causing widespread disruption as a lack of clarity and extremely slim time-frame makes compliance challenging.

39% of wine drinkers ‘actively moderating their consumption’

Almost 40% of regular wine drinkers are actively moderating their consumption, particularly among younger age groups, according to the latest findings from Wine Intelligence.

TOP 100 WINES OF ITALY 2021

For the first time ever at JamesSuckling.com, a Chianti Classico from Tuscany has taken the No. 1 spot on our list of Top 100 Italian wines – the Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ceniprimo 2018. James remarked back in May that it was “perhaps the greatest” Chianti Classico he had ever tasted, while noting the complex aromas of crushed cherries, sour cherries, peaches, bark and hints of meat.

Is cannabis the next big thing in the drinks sector?

Big players are eyeing the market with interest, with Constellation Brands investing US$4 billion in THC-infused drinks. And all eyes are on Canada, the petri dish for cannabis beverages, to see how sales develop there ahead of US and European expansion.

New wine releases from China

From a pét-nat sparkling wine to a 100% Malbec, these are latest Chinese wine releases that are hitting the market.

China fines Alibaba and Tencent over drinks deals

​China’s antitrust watchdog has handed another round of penalties to the country’s tech giants including Alibaba and Tencent that involve investments in two of the country’s leading drinks trading platforms in ongoing crackdown on monopolies.

Chile’s greatest upset in China

For a long time, Chilean wine industry seems to have been stuck with churning out cheap and bulk wines that are flooding supermarket isles, but more recently the country is embarking on a fast evolution and has reinvented itself as a producer of exciting and world-class wines.

​Untouched by Light – the world’s first sparkling wine made, sold and tasted in complete darkness

The largest merger of the 21st century in Champagne was completed yesterday, and sees the creation of a new super cooperative group with the capacity to produce 24 million bottles.

China’s wine imports contract for third straight quarter

China’s wine market failed to pick up steam despite early economic recovery from the pandemic and overall growing consumer spending, as limited business banquets and social gatherings still heavily weigh down the country’s wine consumption volume.

Valdobbiadene producer launches Prosecco with ‘Only the Brave’ consumers in mind

​When Valdobbiadene winery Canevel Spumanti teamed up with lifestyle and fashion brand Diesel on an exclusive Prosecco launch, it was with the denim designer’s ‘Only the brave’ motto in mind.

‘Disneyland of fakes’ at China Food & Drinks Fair in Tianjin

Despite Chinese authorities’ intensified crackdown on counterfeit wines, there are unfortunately plenty of fakes, lookalikes and imitations seen at this year’s Autumn edition of China Food & Drinks Fair in Tianjin this week.

Red wine grape pulp offers big nutritional benefits

​Viticultural leftovers have been hailed for having some big nutritional benefits linked to gut health according to a new scientific study.

China’s F&B sector booms in 2021 ‘Golden Week’

China demonstrated huge potential of its consumer market as it sees consumption craze in the service industries during the seven-day national holiday, aka “Golden Week”, despite the government’s advocacy on stay-at-home celebrations.

Italy becomes ‘dominant force’ on fine wine market

Italy has become a ‘dominant force’ on the fine wine market, with the country’s previously under-represented regions rising in importance on the secondary market, according to global fine wine marketplace Liv-ex.