Rising fuel prices compound market hesitancy The sluggishness of activity on the bulk wine market globally since the turn of the year continued through March into early April, with hesitancy compounded by a rise in fuel prices – by approximately 30%+ in most countries – as a consequence of the conflict in the Middle East. Prices spiked amid the Southern Hemisphere harvests, directly impacting the picking of at least one: this month’s report provides the latest insights from the vineyards. As this month’s California page states, the Iran war is likely to compound some pre-existing consumer pessimism, “with upward pressure on fuel costs exacerbating the reduced spending power consumers have possessed since the 2021-23 post-pandemic inflation spike. Unlike in previous eras when there has been economic misfortune, consumers are pessimistic about the long term – not just the short or medium term – and could curb spending accordingly”. Not wha

Recent-vintage stocks growing tighter The 2026 harvests in the Southern Hemisphere are in full swing – a number are ahead of a typical schedule, in fact – and this month’s Global Market Report provides the latest on conditions, grape quality, and crop-size expectations. With one exception, the bulk markets of the world have been quiet over the past month. The introduction to our March 2025 report applies again 12 months on: “The bulk market can be characterised as slow and steady since mid-February, with the Southern Hemisphere focused on harvest and demand in the Northern Hemisphere dampened by flat or declining retail sales and, in Spain, some elevated pricing.” Wary buyers are waiting to see how the harvests affect availability and pricing before committing, perhaps using the intervening time to take the industry pulse at shows like Wine Paris (growing in prominence; we review its recent instalment here) and ProWein, and generally try to gain a read on

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

A pioneer in eco-design for glass packaging for over fifteen years, Verallia takes a new step forward with the launch of Balance, the premium eco-designed range from Selective Line. This innovation, aligned with our purpose of “Reimagining glass for a sustainable future” addresses growing demand for premium packaging that combines exceptional design with a reduced carbon footprint.  Drawing on the expertise gained from the lightweight Ecova range created in 2009 and the ultralightweight Verallia Air range developed in 2023, Verallia is now applying its eco-design principles to its premium Selective Line brand.  THREE LEVERS FOR OPTIMIZED IMPACT  The Selective Line Balance range is built on three eco-design levers, which can be activated individually or in combination:  Lightweighting: premium bottles reduced by an average of 15% compared to the overall Selective Line portfolio.  Recycled glass: colors incorporating higher proportions of recycled gla

2025 reviewed; 2026 opportunities set out This month’s Global Market Report reviews the bulk wine and grape markets of 2025 and sets out, country by country, the opportunities – and the potential pitfalls – that 2026 brings. Will this be the year that wine consumption in Europe and North America finally stabilises, so the wine industry can turn its attention from rationalisation to growth? We asked the same question a year ago of 2025 and, ultimately, the answer was a firm ‘no’. The “vibecession” that characterised 2024 – a disconnect between reasonably stable economic indicators and consumer perceptions of the economy – continued into 2025, exacerbated by political volatility around the world. Earnings increases have continued to lag the 2021-23 inflation spike induced by the pandemic, and some more localised inflation since, shortening the shopping list of grocery items consumers consider necessities and extending the list of ite

As Europe’s leading glass packaging producer for beverages and food, Verallia takes another step in its lightweighting revolution with the launch of the Burgundy Air 300g, the world’s first ultra-light Burgundy bottle, standing 290mm tall. A model of disruptive eco-design, it preserves the iconic silhouette of traditional Burgundy bottles significantly reducing its environmental footprint. With the Burgundy Air 300G, Verallia once again confirms its pioneering role in transforming glass packaging to support the wine industry’s sustainability and competitiveness. A TECHNICAL FEAT SERVING THE ENVIRONMENT  This innovation stems from years of R&D expertise and state-of-the-art industrial knowhow. The challenge was to maintain the distinctive aesthetics of Burgundy bottles while drastically cutting their weight.  Weighing just 300 grams (compared to the European average of 450g0F 1) with a 75 cl capacity, the Bourgogne Air 300G reduces raw material use and

Savour Quality from Europe: Tuscany’s Wine and Olive Oil Icons Find New Fans in Canada October 2025 [Vancouver, BC] Canadians are falling in love with the real taste of Tuscany as testimonial of the European quality. This year, two of the most respected European producer groups, the Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the Associazione Produttori Olivicoli Toscani (APOT), are sharing their story through the European Union–funded campaign Savor Quality from Europe. The campaign celebrates craftsmanship, authenticity, and sustainability by connecting Canadians with the winemakers and olive growers who represent the heart of European culture. Why Canada’s Falling for European Products Canada is becoming one of the most exciting destinations for premium European food and wine. Consumers here want products that tell a story: where they come from, who makes them, and why they matter. The Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and APOT see that as a perfect match for

Verallia inaugurates a new oxy-combustion furnace with HeatOx™ technology at its Campo Bom in Brazil, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and local development. Verallia, the European leader and world's third-largest producer of glass packaging for beverages and food products, has inaugurated a new oxy-combustion furnace equipped with HeatOx™ technology, an innovative solution owned by Air Liquide, at its Campo Bom plant in Rio Grande do Sul. This €111 million investment marks a major milestone in Verallia’s growth strategy in Brazil, reflecting the Group’s long-term vision and commitment to sustainable innovation.  For Patrice Lucas, CEO of Verallia Group “The commissioning of the Campo Bom furnace is a significant step in Verallia’s journey to decarbonize its production processes and accelerate innovation across our markets. This project embodies our ambition to invest in sustainable technologies, strengthen our presence in stra

Afternoon Brief: Premiere Napa Valley Celebrates the 2023 Vintage and the Spirit of Unity in the Wine Industry

The 2025 Premiere Napa Valley wine auction came to a celebratory conclusion on Saturday, marking the end of a truly memorable week in Napa Valley. This years auction raised a total of $3.3 million, underscoring the wine trades optimism for the future and reaffirming that demand for Napas finest and most innovative wines remains strong...

It’s the same conversation in boardrooms, discussion boards, symposiums, and industry reports: “Younger consumers just aren’t drinking wine like previous generations.” Sure, the concern is valid. But the narrative misses key nuances. The reality is that younger consumers are still just that—young. Their drinking habits, lifestyle priorities, and financial realities don’t yet match those of past generations at the same life stage. But instead of writing off Gen Z or younger Millennials, the wine industry needs to adjust its approach. The traditional playbook doesn’t account for how younger consumers live, what they value, or how they engage with brands. If wineries want to stay relevant, it’s time to rewrite the script. 1. Younger Consumers Will Age Into Wine—Just Like Boomers Did A common misstep in the industry’s current panic is comparing a 23-year-old Gen Zer to a 45-year-old Gen Xer. The latter has had decades to develop