The 2024 California winegrape harvest has reported an early start in many regions following a rainy winter, a cool spring and a warm summer. 

Familia Torres has been named the most innovative winery at the Golden Vines Awards 2024 held in Madrid.

Josep Ferrer Sala, Friexenet’s honorary co-chairman and former managing director has died at the age of 99.

Familia Torres has launched a collection of vintage wines called Colección Privada aimed at highlighting the ageing potential of its wines.

Moët Hennessy has made a strategic investment in French Bloom alcohol-free sparkling wines, through the acquisition of a minority stake.

New Zealand wine has released its annual report, revealing a drop in wine exports in volume and value terms over the last 12 months.

Spanish wine brand Perelada will host the first Symposium of Mediterranean Wines on 24 March 2025.

UK-based wine importer, Mentzendorff has announced the appointment of Christine Allen as the companies new director of brand management.

Catena Zapata has released the 2021 vintage of Nicolás Catena Zapata and Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae.

Romanian winery Cramele Recaș has announced an €11m investment plan with the aim to consolidate its position as the country’s largest wine producer.

Juvé & Camps recently hosted the world premiere event for the English editions of Wine Sapiens Volumes III and IV in Japan.

Viña Concha y Toro has achieved the re-certification as a B Corporation, which recognises those companies that meet high standards of environmental, governance and social performance.

Viña Concha y Toro has seen revenue growth of 17.7% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024 to Ch$237,348 million, while profit also increased 243.1%.

Freixenet has entered the French sparkling wine category with the launch of two expressions immediately available in the UK.

The Consorzio di Tutela Prosecco DOC has revealed that more than 500,000 hectoliters were bottled in July, the second highest in history.

The Regulatory Council Technical Services of DO Cava has forecast a quality harvest for the Spanish wine region after spring rainfall ended a prolonged period of drought.

Pernod Ricard has agreed the sale of its international wine brands to Australian Wine Holdco for an undisclosed fee.

Freixenet Copestick and Spain’s Zamora Company have agreed a strategic distribution partnership for the Zamora portfolio of wines in the UK and Northern Ireland. 

WineGB has released its first wine tourism report which shows that visits to UK vineyards and wineries have risen by 55% in two years.

Treasury Wine Estates and rapper Snoop Dogg have expanded their collaborative wine portfolio with the launch of Cali Blanc.

Viña Concha y Toro has recorded sales growth of 26.4% for the first quarter of its financial year as it continues to recover from a challenging 2023.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has declared a record number of graduates for its Level 4 Diploma in Wines.

Spanish wine producer Familia Torres has been named The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand 2024 in the 14th edition of the ranking.

The China Ministry of Commerce has announced the removal of tariffs placed on Australian wine imported into China effective from 29 March 2024.

Millions of vines in Australia’s winegrowing regions have been destroyed with tens of millions more likely to be removed as exports continue to decline.

Thirty years of Prowein

07 March, 2024

The powerhouse of the world’s wine shows returns to Düsseldorf for its 30th anniversary from Sunday 10 March. 

Champagne exports to the US in 2023 dropped 20% on the previous year to around 27m bottles according to Comité Champagne.

Penfolds has launched its inaugural Evermore grant round in Australia, inviting applicants to apply for a share of $200,000 to support projects that contribute to community and culture.

Champagne house Maison Mumm has announced Yann Munier as its new cellar master from 8 April 2024.

WineGB has declared a record harvest for the British wine industry which is set to produce an estimated 20-22m bottles.

The UK government is set to implement new requirements for the selling and labelling of wine nationwide from 1 January 2024.

The Consortium of the Vermouth di Torino PGI has announced it has obtained certification mark registration from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Australian wine producer Penfolds has appointed La Place de Bordeaux as an official distribution partner for its ‘Luxury & Icon’ wines across EMEA, coming into effect in January 2024, following the brand’s 180th anniversary in the new year.

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has found that in 2023, world wine production is expected to be the smallest in the last 60 years.

Berry Bros & Rudd and Port producer Symington Family Estates have acquired Hambledon Vineyard.

The advisory board of Familia Torres has agreed to begin a generational transition process in which the current chief executive, Miquel Torres Maczassek, will be appointed president of the company.

To raise awareness and in support of Israeli wineries, the Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA), a trade organisation promoting Israeli wineries through wine education and events, has plead for investment.

Viña Concha y Toro's leading brand, Casillero del Diablo has launched Devil's Carnaval, a proposal with which it aspires to expand the market to younger adults.

Laurent and Catherine Delaunay, founders and owners of Badet Clément, have unveiled a new name for their international family wine group, Delaunay Vins & Domaines.

The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) has reported the 2023 Bordeaux harvest, which started a few days ahead of normal, has seen weather conditions fall into place during the end of the summer despite difficult weather this year.

Chilean wine producer and exporter, Viña Concha y Toro, has kicked off its 140th anniversary celebration with a campaign calling on its consumers to ‘Make Time Memorable’.

Australia-based Cherubino Wines has announced the acquisition of winery and spirits brand, Margaret River Winemakers.

Austria has established the legal basis for the official classification of single vineyards, which will see plots defined as Erste Lage (premier cru) and Große Lage (grand cru).

Familia Torres director general Miguel Torres Maczassek believes that despite ongoing drought, the quality and health of the brand's vines remain “excellent”.

Penfolds has announced Nigo, the founder of Human Made and artistic director of Kenzo, as its first-ever creative partner.

The IWSR has recognised Trivento winery as the world’s top-selling Argentine wine brand.

Wine and Communications professional Kirsty Woodgate has been named the 2023 Spanish Wine Master UK after the grand final of the competition from the Spanish Wine Academy by Rioja’s Ramón Bilbao.

Ferrari Trento has announced that Cyril Brun has joined the Italian sparkling wine brand located in Trentino, Italy, as cellar master.

Maison Bruno Paillard, the house specialising in Extra Brut Champagnes since its inception in 1981, has appointed Wanderlust Wine to distribute its portfolio in the UK.

The Comité Champagne has unveiled the sector’s plan for the next decade, defining a global trajectory to face the challenges of the next 10 years. 

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Ben Branson

Ben Branson on the future of non-alc spirits

In his inaugural column for Drinks International, Branson takes a wider look at the overall non-alcoholic spirits sector to identify which brands will thrive and which won’t survive.

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