Mulled wine is getting a makeover this Christmas as Marks & Spencer launches its first-ever mulled white wine. Inspired by German and Austrian glühwein, this lighter twist offers fruity notes of vanilla and pear, though at 11% abv they have not tampered with the level of alcohol. They suggest gently heating (60 seconds in a microwave) and serving with a slice of lemon.

Once a staple of traditional Christmas markets, mulled wine has always been associated with rich red wine. But M&S product developer Maddie Love believes this delicate flavour profile will attract those seeking a softer festive sip.

While some purists scoff at the reinvention of a classic, early tasters describe it as “sweet and fruity, like pear drops” — and at £6.50 a bottle, it’s reasonably priced for the party season. Whether it becomes a festive mainstay remains to be seen. Will mulled white wine join the Christmas classics, or is it just a passing fad?

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The UK wine industry is set for a tech revolution as Cambridge-based Autopickr secures over £475,000 in government funding to develop Vinny — a grape-picking robot. Capable of mimicking hand-picking, Vinny aims to ease labour demands while maintaining quality for premium wines.

The project is backed by WineGB, Innovate UK, and Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme and could transform vineyard operations here in the UK. Unlike traditional harvesters, Vinny’s AI system identifies ripe grapes, picking whole bunches essential for sparkling wine production.

Robyn Sands, CEO of Autopickr, said the aim is to offer the UK's 1000 vineyards a practical tool for labour-intensive harvests. Currently collaborating with Suffolk’s Coopers Croft Vineyard, Autopickr plans to make Vinny available for purchase or hire once development is complete.


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European wine exports to China have dropped significantly, according to Eurostat's latest data.

Imports of Greek wine to the mainland fell by 76% from 2023 to 2024, while Hungarian, Portuguese, and French wines saw declines of 55%, 22%, and 13% respectively.

The figures highlight a continued downward trend in Chinese wine consumption, which has been waning for over a decade. After peaking in 2012, per capita wine consumption began to decline. By 2022, consumption had fallen to approximately one-third of its 2012 peak.

Despite the lifting of tariffs on Australian wine in early 2024, total export volumes remain at a 20-year low. Analysts point to shifting consumer preferences, economic pressures, and policy changes as driving factors behind the decline.

While Australian red wine exports to China surged from 1 million litres to 32 million in 2024, this recovery is far from pre-tariff levels. The slump in overall demand poses fresh challenges for European producers looking to re-establish footholds in the lucrative Chinese market.

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Burgundy’s Pouilly-Loché and Pouilly-Vinzelles appellations have joined the ranks of Premier Cru wines, following their neighbour Pouilly-Fuissé’s 2020 success. These Chardonnay-exclusive appellations, spanning 32ha and 52ha respectively, will bear the prestigious classification starting with the 2024 vintage.

Prominent Climats, including Les Mûres in Pouilly-Loché and Les Quarts in Pouilly-Vinzelles, were promoted after an 18-year process that began in 2006, with the INAO (Institut Nationale des Appellations d’Origine) which included terroir analysis and historical studies. Strict rules will ban herbicides and impose hand-harvesting (a first for Burgundy Premier Crus), and limit yields to 58hl/ha, underscoring a commitment to quality and sustainability.

Just 1% of Burgundy’s vineyards are classified as Grand Crus. A further 10% are Premier Crus, 37% are village wines and 52% are regional wines.
The new Premier Cru wines will only reach the market after being aged until at least the 1st July following harvest.


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In 2025, New Zealand will celebrate three decades of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme, launched in 1995 by five pioneering wineries. Now, 96% of the country’s vineyards are SWNZ-certified, underpinning a NZ $2 billion wine export industry in 2024.

The programme focuses on six sustainability pillars — climate change, water, waste, plant protection, soil, and people and SWNZ has been key in contributing to to New Zealand wine’s premium global reputation.

Independent audits began in 2004, to ensure rigorous standards, while in 2007, a certification logo was introduced that could only be used if 100% of the grapes and winemaking facilities were compliant with the SWNZ standards.

Fabian Yukich, chair of NZ Winegrowers, praised the industry’s foresight: “Sustainability has been essential to uniting winemakers and ensuring New Zealand wine’s success.” As the programme turns 30, New Zealand wine continues to stand out for its quality, innovation, and commitment to a sustainable future, setting an inspiring benchmark for the global wine industry.

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Moët & Chandon has reached the halfway mark in its ambitious project to plant 100km of hedgerows across Champagne by 2027, aiming to restore biodiversity and combat climate change. Launched in 2021, the Natura Nostra initiative is transforming Champagne’s ecological landscape.
The Champagne house planted 35km of hedgerows back in 2021 and continues its efforts with 60 projects completed this year in Marne and Aube, including a 1km stretch in Côte des Blancs. These hedgerows create ecological corridors, linking biodiversity reservoirs such as the Saran Forest and Montagne de Reims Forest.

“This initiative restores balance to ecosystems, prevents soil erosion, and improves water retention” said a Moët representative.
The project highlights their commitment to organic viticulture, and the growing importance of sustainable practices in viticulture CEO Sibylle Scherer noted: “Preserving nature requires the collective effort of all stakeholders in the Champagne region.”

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