The Department for Transport has proposed reducing the legal alcohol limit for drivers in England and Wales, aiming to improve road safety and align the UK with most of Europe. Drinkaware has welcomed the move.

Under the consultation, the limit would drop from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (35μg to 22μg per 100ml of breath). For new and professional drivers, it would fall further to 20mg per 100ml of blood. Karen Tyrell, CEO of Drinkaware, said the change is sensible given the rise in drink-driving fatalities, stressing that strong enforcement is essential for effectiveness.

Research shows any alcohol impairs driving, particularly among younger drivers, due partly to their lack of experience, and about one in six UK road deaths in 2023 involved alcohol. The DfT estimates the change could prevent 25–100 deaths annually and reduce serious injuries, supporting its broader goal of cutting road casualties by 65% by 2035.
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Elton John has entered the drinks market with a new alcohol-free sparkling wine, now landing on UK shelves at Sainsbury’s at £10 a bottle, aimed at bringing a Champagne-style experience to a wider audience.

The product, called Elton John Zero Blanc de Blancs, is made entirely from Chardonnay and positioned as a 0% alternative to Champagne. Grapes are sourced from northern Italy, while production takes place in Germany, a growing hub for high-quality alcohol-free wine.

Distribution is being handled by Benchmark Drinks, led by celebrity wine specialist Paul Schaafsma, who has also worked with Kylie Minogue and Gary Barlow.

Unlike most low-alcohol wines, the drink is made without alcohol from the outset, using a specialist fermentation process rather than removing alcohol later. Green tea extract adds a touch of tannin, while gentle carbonation creates a fine, persistent fizz.

Elton John is a natural fit for a 0% brand, having been one of the UK’s most high-profile teetotallers since giving up alcohol in 1990. His husband and manager David Furnish, who also does not drink, said the idea grew out of their own lives at home. “It really came from something we wanted and needed,” he said, adding: “Both Elton and I are teetotal, and we love to entertain.”

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Majestic Wine Group reported a sharp dip in profits for FY25, but revenues edged up as store openings and bold acquisitions kept the retailer buzzing.

Pre-tax profits fell from £14.3m to £7.7m in the year to 31 March 2025, with Majestic blaming a tricky policy backdrop, higher duties and extra IT spending. Consumer confidence wobbled after the July election and October budget, while rising mortgage rates squeezed disposable incomes.

Costs also jumped following the purchases of Vagabond and premium distributor Enotria, trimming operating profit to £16m. Despite the squeeze, revenue nudged up to £386m and the Fortress-owned group has quadrupled operating profit since 2020.

Boss John Colley called the year transformative, citing six new shops, three London wine bars and a bigger wholesale arm, with Enotria now on board. He said “Our investment strategy is working, and we are incredibly excited about the future opportunities we have to grow our business further and help even more consumers discover new wines, beers and spirits they will love.

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Australia’s wine output jumped 9% in 2025, reaching an estimated 1.13 billion litres, as red varieties led a robust rebound. However, the uplift arrived against a backdrop of sluggish global demand, pushing national inventories to their highest level in a decade and raising concerns over long-term market balance.

The latest Wine Australia report shows production exceeded sales for the first time in three years, leaving a surplus of more than 50 million litres and lifting total stocks to 2.06 billion litres. Red wine output rose 15%, reclaiming dominance at 52% of production, while white wine inventories came under strain due to falling sales.

Exports grew 3%, boosted by a sharp recovery in shipments to China, yet domestic consumption continued to slide. Analysts warn that without significant reduction in vineyard area, grape prices and margins could remain under pressure as the global market continues to wrestle with oversupply.

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In Bordeaux, twelve defendants linked to the notorious “gang des grands crus” have gone on trial over a string of cellar raids that saw more than 4,000 bottles of premium Bordeaux and Burgundy wines allegedly stolen and trafficked between 2019 and 2020. Valued at over €2.5m, the case has caught the attention of wine lovers and collectors worldwide.

French prosecutors are seeking heavy sentences, with the suspected ringleader, a 34-year-old with around twenty prior convictions, accused of co-ordinating thefts from thirteen cellars and warehouses, aided by wiretap evidence and recovered bottles. A Chinese restaurateur alleged to be the group’s main middleman could face six years in prison, while others risk penalties ranging from suspended terms to eight-year sentences.

The haul reportedly includes Château d’Yquem, Petrus and Romanée Conti.

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Treasury Wine Estates, Australia’s largest wine producer, is taking a major financial hit after confirming it will slash the value of its US business by roughly US$450 million. The company will reduce the goodwill value of its American assets and adopt more cautious growth projections following continued weakness in demand, particularly for lower-priced wines.

Shares have tumbled to AU$6, their lowest in a decade, after a difficult year during which earnings guidance was scrapped amid uncertainty for Penfolds and Treasury Americas.

While premium brands such as Daou and Frank Family Vineyards continue to outperform, the market’s overall slowdown is adding pressure on new CEO Sam Fischer and reviving concerns over high acquisition costs in recent years.

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