Market slow; older stocks skew availability picture In this month’s Global Market Report, all countries are united in reporting the symptoms of an industry entering the fourth year of a challenging environment: late loadings, late payments, cashflow shortages, and vineyard removals. Already gathering momentum is a belief that 2026 will be another “transitional” year before market stability finally arrives, hopefully in 2027. But many wine industry operators are running out of time for things to improve. On the supply side, strides have been made over the past two years, assisted by shorter winegrape crops across the world: thanks to a combination of Mother Nature and human hand, global production in 2024 was estimated to have been the lowest since 1961, and 2025 production registered only a slight uptick. A significant challenge is the “polluting echo” of older inventory, which gives buyers a skewed perception of abundance. Current or recent-vintage suppl

Experience California Dreaming with Rack & Riddle at WIN Expo Join Rack & Riddle at the 13th Annual WIN Expo Trade Show & Conference as we celebrate California Dreaming — an exclusive tasting journey through our signature sparkling wines.  11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds — Kraft Hall 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95404 California Dreaming celebrates Rack & Riddle’s artistry in California sparkling wine. From the complexity of Méthode Champenoise California Brut to the fresh and vibrant CALSECCO® Brut, this tasting showcases technique, terroir, and innovation. Also NEW this year – Alcohol Removed California Brut and Rosé! Finishing with the Frizzante Flavors collection — Arancia Spritz, Mimosa, and Bellini — it’s a vibrant expression of how Rack & Riddle brings California’s dream of sparkling excellence to life. California Sparkling Wines We’re Pouring Re

NAPA, Calif., (Nov. 26, 2025) – VA Filtration Services’ Scientific Approach, Innovative Solutions from Napa Valley At VA Filtration Services, our mission is to empower winemakers to produce wines of the highest sensory quality. One of the challenges in modern winemaking is managing undesirable levels of pyrazines, particularly methoxypyrazines, which can impart green, herbaceous aromas that mask fruit character and complexity. Winemakers are left with two options: cover up the pyrazine (and potentially other attributes) or remove it through advances in pyrazine remediation practices. The Problem: Pyrazines in Wine Methoxypyrazines are naturally occurring compounds in certain grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. While subtle concentrations can add a sought-after freshness, excessive amounts lead to pronounced bell pepper and grassy notes, often perceived as faults—especially in premium reds. Often pyrazines present in wine due to enviro

Some markets active amid persistent global weakness Three bulk wine markets – France, Italy and Chile – entered November having experienced good activity levels through October. “Activity” is the key word: sample requests and price discussions have constituted most of the activity in southern France; actual transactions have been limited. Likewise, a steady stream of enquiries into Chile’s remaining 2025-vintage supplies, and its prospects for 2026, have outnumbered transactions. But there have been good transaction levels in Italy, as it has become clear all of Europe’s three major harvests came in short of their five-year averages. This month’s Global Market Report provides information on what Italian wines transactions have been occurring, which 2025 wines are being released early to bridge a supply gap, and what 2025-vintage stocks Chile still possesses. The latest prices on all these items, as well as France’s new 2025-vintage prici

Spending a weekend sipping superb wines while savoring the perfect food pairing sounds like heaven. Add in breathtaking scenery and the relaxing ambiance of Sonoma County’s Wine Country, and now you have paradise perfected! This magical wine and food weekend becomes reality on November 1st and 2nd as the Wine Road hosts the 27th annual Wine & Food Affair. A Sneak Peek at the Food Pairings With 50 wineries to select from, there are too many food pairings to list, so here are just a few highlights. If you love Italian-based comfort food, check out: Mushroom and Winter Squash Risotto at Pedroncelli Winery Lobster Ravioli with Vodka Sauce at Pech Merle Winery Tatiana’s Famous Lasagna at Colagrossi Wines If you’d rather pair Mexican, French or Cajun with delicious wines, here are some options: Roger’s Colorado Pork Green Chili at J. Cage Cellars Creamy Mushroom Chicken Facon Grand Mère at GC Lurton Vineyards Alison’s Jambalaya at Mat

After a wet winter and a slow start to spring, California is now experiencing an unusually cool summer. While the extended hang time may sound ideal at first glance, many winemakers are concerned, and for good reason. Persistent cool, damp weather during the growing season brings with it an entirely different set of vineyard and cellar challenges, from disease pressure to delays in ripening. If you haven’t already, it’s time to start thinking about how this season’s cooler conditions may affect your fruit, and how to plan ahead to protect your wine’s quality. What’s the Problem with a Cool Summer? Cooler-than-average temperatures, especially when paired with humidity or late rains, can lead to several problematic outcomes in the vineyard: Delayed Ripening: Grapes take longer to reach phenolic maturity, and sugar accumulation may lag behind flavor development. This can result in unbalanced fruit and longer hang time on the vines. Increased Disease Pressure:

Everywhere you look right now—Hallmark Channel, Netflix, social media—it’s Christmas in July. And while most people are watching cozy movies and pretending it’s snowing outside, here’s a better question for wineries: Are you ready for your holiday season? October, November, and December (OND) are your biggest sales months of the year. Holiday winery marketing doesn’t start in October—it starts now. They’re sprinting through Q3—right now—while everyone else is still daydreaming about hot cocoa and watching Christmas movies… you’ve got rosé in your glass and wine bundles to plan. 1. Clean Up Your Data — Because Bad Data Costs You Money This isn’t just about removing bounced emails. Bad data quietly drains OND revenue by blocking you from segmenting, targeting, or even reaching your customers. Your Move: Export your full email list (now, not later). Use ChatGPT to help spot typos like gmaii.com in

It’s hard to imagine a time when malolactic fermentation (MLF) in red wines wasn’t standard practice. However, it was not too long ago that MLF could only be completed via spontaneous lactic acid bacteria which was often unpredictable, slow to initiate, and sometimes failed to complete MLF altogether.  The introduction of Oenococcus oeni starter cultures in the 1960s and ’70s marked a turning point, bringing consistency, control, and reliability to the process. These cultures evolved into user-friendly, freeze-dried preparations, transforming MLF and turning it from gamble to a given. But science presses onward and research began exploring the genetic diversity of lactic acid bacteria found in wine. This work led to the discovery and characterization of a unique strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Now, Scott Laboratories has introduced this strain to the U.S. as ML PRIME™, the first and only non-Oenococcus bacteria currently available for mal

Anything is possible! When Hall Wines came to our team with a new idea— a custom-branded champagne cart for their French partner Michel Foch— we said, Yes! 4 Carts 10 Week Timeline 2 State Deliveries 1 Happy Team Turn your brand into an experience that is symbolic and memorable with our teams. Reach out to info@almadenglobal.com if you want to make your brand stand out.  

We are proud to share that, as of June 1, 2025, Town Hall Brands has been appointed to represent Wines of Argentina in Western Canada. This opportunity follows nearly two decades of outstanding stewardship by Dana Lee Consulting Ltd. We extend our sincere thanks to Dana and her team for the strong foundation they built for Argentine wines in this market. We are honoured to continue this legacy with renewed energy and focus. Judith Arcand, who has worked closely with us on wine industry projects since 2020, will lead the program across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Town Hall Brands will be responsible for projects involving trade marketing, media relations, and promotional initiatives to support Wines of Argentina in Western Canada. With deep experience in wine communications and industry engagement, we look forward to elevating awareness and appreciation for Argentina’s incredible wine regions and producers. For inquiries, please reach out to Leeann Froese at leeann