Ancient grape DNA from Chianti has revealed the Tuscan region once produced mainly white wine, with 2,000-year-old seeds showing a dominant white variety cultivated from Etruscan to Roman times, scientists say.

Researchers at the University of York sequenced 80 grape pips from a waterlogged well at Cetamura del Chianti, preserved for millennia, and found striking genetic continuity in a single long-lived clone.

After Roman settlement, new grape varieties appear, suggesting imported vines re-shaped Chianti’s wine profile, while scientists say modern reds replaced an ancient white tradition.

The findings, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, also linked one seed to grape families still grown in Eastern Europe. Dr Nathan Wales said tasting these relic varieties offers a direct connection to wines served at Roman dinner tables.

Researchers say the discovery changes our understanding of early Tuscan viticulture and shows remarkable continuity between ancient and modern wine landscapes in the Chianti region today.

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Chardonnay has overtaken Bacchus as a leading force in English wine, while rosé and disease-resistant PIWI varieties also impressed at the WineGB Awards 2026, highlighting the growing diversity and quality of the English wine sector.

The WineGB Awards 2026 results suggest English wine is entering a new phase of maturity. Chardonnay was the dominant grape among the top-scoring wines, featuring in many of the competition's Gold medal winners. Producers such as Lyme Bay Winery, Gusbourne and Digby Fine English demonstrated the variety's versatility across both still and sparkling styles, reinforcing its status as England's flagship premium grape.

While Bacchus remains synonymous with English still wine, Chardonnay's growing success reflects increasing confidence in producing wines capable of competing on the international stage. Traditional method sparkling wines continued to shine, with Chardonnay playing a leading role in many of the highest-rated entries.

Rosé was another standout category. Producers including Danbury Ridge and Woodchester Valley earned strong results, reflecting the category's rapid rise in quality and consumer appeal. Once viewed as a niche style, English rosé is increasingly establishing its own identity.

Kent, Sussex and Hampshire once again dominated the medal tables, confirming their status as England's leading wine regions. However, strong performances from vineyards in Essex, Dorset and Herefordshire demonstrated that excellence is spreading beyond the traditional heartlands.

Among the individual wines attracting attention were standout Gold medal winners such as Digby Fine English's Leander Pink Brut and several Chardonnay-led sparkling wines from established southern producers.

Perhaps the most interesting trend was the performance of PIWI varieties. Wines made from disease-resistant grapes secured impressive medals, suggesting these sustainable varieties are becoming more than experimental curiosities. As growers face pressure to reduce chemical inputs and adapt to changing climatic conditions, PIWIs appear increasingly capable of delivering both environmental and commercial success.

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English Wine Week 2026 runs from 20–28 June, with vineyards across England opening their doors for tours, tastings and food pairings, alongside a growing range of immersive and unusual experiences.
Alongside traditional vineyard visits and guided tastings, this year’s programme includes more active events such as the Leonardslee Sparkling Run, blending sport with wine tourism, plus blending workshops, vineyard walks and open-air tastings designed to broaden appeal.

Key destinations include Bolney Wine Estate in Sussex with picnics and seasonal food events, and Hattingley Valley in Hampshire with guided vineyard tours.

Restaurants, pubs and independent wine merchants are joining in with English wine by-the-glass promotions and curated lists, helping to bring domestic wines to a wider audience.

The week continues to highlight how English wine tourism is evolving, combining hospitality, education and increasingly creative experiences across the country.

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Maison Pommery has entered exclusive negotiations with German sparkling wine giant Henkell over a potential strategic partnerships that could reshape the European sparkling wine sector.

The two-month exclusivity period comes as Maison Pommery continues discussions with lenders over refinancing its substantial debt burden. If an agreement is reached, Henkell would become the majority shareholder in the French group, creating a major international sparkling wine business with a broad portfolio of brands and global distribution reach.

The proposed deal would unite two family-controlled companies and strengthen their positions across key sparkling wine categories. For Henkell, the transaction would provide greater exposure to Champagne, while Maison Pommery would gain access to an expanded international sales network and additional financial backing.

The announcement follows a strong improvement in Maison Pommery’s profitability during 2025, with net income rising to €32 million. However, the company’s net financial debt remains high at more than €750 million, highlighting the ongoing importance of refinancing efforts.

Maison Pommery stressed that negotiations are still ongoing and there is no guarantee that a final agreement will be reached. The talks are being closely watched in Champagne, where tight financing conditions are fuelling renewed discussion about consolidation within the wine industry.

Henkell Freixenet is the world's largest sparkling wine producer, selling sparkling wines, still wines and spirits in more than 150 countries. The company is owned by the German Oetker family and was created through the combination of Henkell and Freixenet. It is particularly strong in Sekt, Cava, Prosecco, Champagne and Crémant, and claims to serve around one in every ten glasses of sparkling wine consumed globally.

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A growing number of Bordeaux wine producers are turning to the broader Vin de France category as a way to break free from the strict appellation system. This shift is being driven by climate pressure, weak demand and the need for more flexibility in grape varieties, winemaking methods and branding.

Under Bordeaux's AOP rules, producers must follow detailed standards on where grapes are grown, which varieties can be used, yields, vineyard density, and winemaking practices. While these rules protect identity and give consumers a clear idea of what they're buying, they can become too restrictive for some estates. With Vin de France, producers can make wines that wouldn't qualify under one of the area's 67 appellations.

So far, Vin de France accounts for about 2% of Bordeaux production, or roughly 132,000 hectolitres. However, this number is expected to grow as more producers take advantage of the category's flexibility. Some are planting heat-resistant grapes and making wines that don't fit local expectations as they experiment with new styles.

The financial argument is also important, with lower levies under Vin de France making a meaningful difference in a difficult market. The gap between AOP Bordeaux and Vin de France rates is significant, with AOP Bordeaux currently standing at €4.72 per hectolitre for the 2024-2026 period, compared to €0.50 per hectolitre for Vin de France.

Interestingly, Vin de France wines are also finding more open doors in shops and restaurants than their Bordeaux counterparts. According to Estelle Roumage of Château Lestrille, innovative wines can be easier to place with French retailers when they're not introduced first as Bordeaux products.

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Organic wine brand Vinca is launching its sustainable aluminium-bottled wines into Marks & Spencer Food stores across the UK, rolling out to 116 stores, in a major retail milestone for the business.

Vinca’s organic Catarratto white and Syrah & Nero d’Avola red will be priced at £10.50, made from 100 per cent recycled aluminium bottles introduced first in its 2021 canned wine range, before expanding into 750ml formats.

According to independent carbon auditing by Zevero, the aluminium format reduces emissions by nearly 50 per cent versus glass, with each empty bottle weighing just 68g compared with around 450g for a standard glass bottle, improving logistics efficiency.

Pallet efficiency also improves, with up to 40 per cent more bottles per shipping container. M&S wine buyer Harriet Coates said the range combines sustainability and quality. The wines are also listed at Tesco and Booths across the UK retailers.

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