New UK research suggests GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are having an impact on drinking habits, with users cutting how often they drink by nearly a third. The findings add fresh momentum to the growing trend towards moderation.

A study by KAM, in partnership with Drinkaware, found drinking frequency among GLP-1 users fell 29%, from 3.1 to 2.2 days per week. Alcohol intake also declined, dropping 16% to 3.6 units weekly. Spending followed suit, with home consumption down 22% and on-trade spend per visit falling 30%.

Researchers say the shift is driven by reduced cravings, with over a third of users reporting less desire to drink. Some also experience discomfort when consuming alcohol.

With up to 5.5 million UK adults estimated to be using GLP-1 drugs, the impact could be significant. While socialising remains important, experts say consumers are increasingly opting for moderation, creating both a challenge and an opportunity for the drinks industry.

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A bottle of 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti has smashed records, selling for $812,500 at auction in the US, beating its own 2018 high and underlining booming global demand for ultra-rare Burgundy.

The bottle, originally from Robert Drouhin’s cellar, had previously sold via Sotheby’s in 2018 for $558,000. After professional storage in the US, it returned to market at Acker’s La Paulée Auction in Delaware, drawing bidders from four continents.

Produced in tiny quantities, just 600 bottles, the 1945 vintage is famed for its rarity and heritage. It was the final release from the domaine’s pre-phylloxera vines before replanting, adding to its near-mythical status among collectors.

Acker chairman John Kapon described it as “the greatest wine” he has tasted, noting intense global interest. The wider auction raised over US $25 million, setting hundreds of records and highlighting a surge in demand for trophy wines at the very top end of the market.

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Italy’s Asti DOCG has officially approved a new rosé sparkling wine, blending Moscato and Brachetto grapes. Producers in Piedmont can begin bottling within weeks, with hopes of reaching up to 10 million bottles annually.

The Asti DOCG Consortium has confirmed the addition of Asti Rosé to its production rules following publication in Italy’s Official Gazette, concluding a process that began in late 2023. Producers will be able to bottle the wine just 30 days after publication.

The new style blends 70–90% Moscato with 10–30% Brachetto, two aromatic grapes closely linked to Piedmont. Wines can range from sweet to extra dry, offering flexibility for different markets.

Consortium president Stefano Ricagno described the move as a milestone, highlighting the unique combination of grape varieties. The first official tasting will take place at Vinitaly (12th-15th April 2026).

Producers estimate annual volumes could reach between 5 and 10 million bottles, depending on demand, as the region looks to attract new consumers.



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Moscato d’Asti is enjoying a surge in China, with sales up 55%, even as the country’s overall wine imports slump sharply. The sweet Italian sparkler is winning over younger drinkers, offering a bright spot in an otherwise declining market.

Italy’s Moscato d’Asti is bucking the trend. China’s total wine imports fell 26.7% in 2025, with Italy also down, yet Moscato is thriving, doubling shipments to two million bottles. Asia now represents 18% of exports, led by China and strong demand in South Korea.

Its appeal is clear - low alcohol, gentle fizz, sweetness and affordability suit casual drinking occasions and a shift away from heavy reds. Moscato’s versatility also helps. It is popular not just in Italy, but in Australia, the US and parts of South America, where aromatic, easy styles attract new wine drinkers.

The bigger picture is sobering. The Chinese market is shrinking fast, and Italian wine overall remains under pressure despite Moscato’s success.

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The UK wine industry is celebrating an exceptional 2025 vintage, with production soaring thanks to ideal weather conditions. A warm, dry growing season delivered record yields, earlier harvests and high-quality fruit across English and Welsh vineyards.

Wine GB reported a 39% increase on 2024, while Food Standards Agency data showed total production jumping 55% to 124,377hl, or more than 16.5 million bottles. An early spring and four summer heatwaves accelerated ripening, producing the earliest harvest on record.
Average alcohol levels rose to 10.48%, while acidity fell slightly, indicating riper fruit. Varieties such as Bacchus, Solaris and Pinot Noir performed strongly.

Nicola Bates, CEO of Wine GB, commented: “We take great optimism from scale of the harvest and most importantly the fantastic quality of fruit we are now producing.

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Michel Rolland, the influential French “flying winemaker”, has died in Bordeaux, aged 78, after a heart attack, closing a remarkable chapter in modern wine. Known for shaping styles worldwide, his impact reached hundreds of estates across continents.

Born in Libourne, Rolland studied oenology at the University of Bordeaux, later founding a laboratory in Pomerol with his wife Dany. From the 1980s, he advised wineries across France, California, Argentina, Chile and Italy, helping transform winemaking into a global consultancy business.

His hallmark was producing richer, more structured wines, a style that found favour with critic Robert Parker and helped redefine international tastes. Rolland’s influence was especially notable in Argentina, where he contributed to Malbec’s global rise.

Though sometimes criticised for encouraging uniformity, Rolland rejected the idea of a single style. Widely credited with modernising wine, he leaves a legacy that continues to shape the industry worldwide.

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