Maison Media · This week
World wine news, October 19 – November 2, 2026
This edition was updated on November 2, 2026 at 9:00 JST and lists 3 stories, newest first.
About this page
World wine news covers important international developments in wine: research and innovation, climate and disasters, and the wine industry. The Maison Media editors write a short original summary of each report and link to its sources. Advertising and evergreen features are not treated as news.
A new edition starts every Monday at 9:00 JST (00:00 UTC) and lists the reports published in the two weeks before it. A report published after Monday 9:00 waits for the next edition, and each report appears in two consecutive editions.
Only reports whose sources, relevance and context the editors have checked are published, and which stories to include is an editorial decision. “Reported” is when the source published the report; “Verified” is when the editors checked it. A date or a source link does not by itself prove that a report is accurate. Full reports and news photographs are not reproduced.
In this edition
Wine industry
UK announces 4.55% alcohol duty increase from February 2027
On 28 October 2026, the UK government announced that alcohol duty rates, including those applying to wine, will rise by 4.55% in line with RPI from 1 February 2027. The announcement also expands relief for qualifying small producers.
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Innovation
French vineyard trials show ways to reduce pesticide use, with limits
In French vineyard trials, integrated pest management and a strategy targeting zero residues reduced the treatment frequency index by an average of 32.1% and 42.2% against the HEV reference. Results from biocontrol alone were less reliable.
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Sources
Wine industry
Champagne permits a limited exception to its 13% total alcohol rule
A targeted Champagne exception, effective 29 October 2026, permits more than 13% total alcohol after secondary fermentation for specified blends bottled for that fermentation in 2027. It covers unenriched 2026 wine blended with enriched wine from earlier harvests.
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Sources