Category: News

Yinchuan’s Ascent: China’s Emerging Global Wine Capital at the Eastern Foothills of the Helan Mountains

The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo, held in conjunction with the 32nd Concours Mondial de Bruxelles from June 9 to 12, 2025, marked a pivotal moment for China’s rapidly evolving wine industry. Hosted in Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, this convergence of a prestigious international wine competition and a major wine tourism event underscored the city’s strategic ambition to establish itself as a world-class wine capital.

In recent years, Yinchuan has implemented a bold development strategy centred on viticultural excellence, ecological stewardship, and global engagement. The region now features China’s most concentrated wine-producing corridor, with more than 273,000 mu (approximately 18,200 hectares) of vineyards and a thriving network of 155 wineries and grape-growing organizations.

In 2024, Yinchuan’s annual wine production reached 75 million bottles, representing approximately 26.8% of the country’s total estate wine output. Notably, 19 locally produced wines have been selected as national gifts and exported to over 40 countries and regions, further enhancing the region’s international profile.

The transformation of the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains, from barren sands to flourishing vineyards, has been driven by a comprehensive model of ecological revitalization. Yinchuan’s integrated strategy aligns wine production with the conservation of mountains, forests, wetlands, and grasslands, demonstrating how terroir expression and sustainability can coexist. Guided by the principle of “ecology + industry,” this approach has successfully blended environmental restoration with the growth of cultural tourism and wine-based experiences.

Today, precision viticulture, meticulous vineyard management, and the use of advanced winemaking technologies characterize the region’s production practices. These efforts are supported by state-level classifications and the recognition of 53 enterprises with certified geographical indications, further solidifying the region’s credibility and distinct identity.

As the driving force behind Ningxia’s wine industry, Yinchuan is cultivating both prestige and performance. In 2024, the city’s wine sector generated an output value of 36 billion yuan (approximately $5.02 billion USD), affirming its emergence as a rising powerhouse in the global wine arena.

SOURCE: Xinhua Silk Road

Historic British Wine Merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd to Launch First U.S. Flagship in Washington, D.C.

As part of a strategic international expansion, the venerable British wine institution Berry Bros. & Rudd has announced the opening of its first bricks-and-mortar retail outlet in the United States, to be located in Washington, D.C. This significant development reflects a broader transatlantic demand for luxury British heritage brands, particularly within the fine wine and spirit’s sector.

Established in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd holds the distinction of being Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant and is internationally renowned for its longstanding affiliation with the British Royal Family. It has served as the official wine supplier to the Royal Household since the reign of King George III in 1760, a heritage that continues to enhance the brand’s reputation for excellence and tradition.

While Berry Bros. & Rudd currently maintains international offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, and its historic headquarters in St. James’s, London, the U.S. retail launch represents the firm’s first physical retail presence in North America. This move aligns with a noticeable uptick in American consumer interest in authentic British luxury products, paralleling similar expansions by iconic British brands such as Fortnum & Mason.

“This marks a key milestone in our international growth, and we look forward to serving a wider community of customers across the US” said a company spokesperson.

The Washington, D.C. location will provide curated selections of fine wines and rare spirits, underpinned by centuries of expertise and Royal endorsement, positioning the store as a premier destination for discerning American oenophiles.

Spain Moves Toward Smaller Vineyards and Premium Wines

Spain’s wine sector stands at a pivotal crossroads, preparing to undergo significant structural and strategic transformations over the next five years. According to the recently published report “Spanish Wine Market Forecasts 2025-2030: Strategic Analysis and Projections” by Vinetur on April 25,  the nation’s future in the global wine market will be shaped by a decisive shift towards smaller vineyard holdings, premiumization, and greater international competitiveness.

Spain, currently holding the title of the “world’s largest vineyard area” is expected to see a gradual contraction to approximately 900,000 hectares by 2030. This decline will primarily result from structural consolidation and the abandonment of less economically viable vineyards. Nevertheless, Spain will retain its leadership in vineyard surface area, albeit with a renewed focus on quality over quantity.

The report also highlights increasing production volatility caused by the impacts of climate change, including irregular harvests and variable yields. Despite these fluctuations, Spain’s annual wine production is projected to stabilize at an average of 31 million hectoliters. Wineries are proactively adapting by elevating product value, emphasizing quality improvements to boost average prices across both domestic and export markets.

Export forecasts remain particularly promising. Spanish wine exports are set to reach 21.2 million hectoliters by 2030, with a notable acceleration in value, surpassing €3.5 billion annually. This growth will be driven by strategic shifts toward bottled, organic, and sparkling wines, steering away from bulk wine exports. In a fiercely competitive landscape dominated by France and Italy, Spain’s focus on higher-value segments will be crucial.

Domestically, wine consumption trends present challenges. Household per capita consumption is projected to decline to 6.2 litres annually by 2030, reflecting an aging traditional consumer base and muted engagement from younger demographics. However, the Spanish domestic market’s overall value is forecasted to grow, underpinned by rising price points and a consumer migration toward mid-range and premium wines.

Emerging consumer preferences further illustrate a new market paradigm: the growing demand for organic wines, the surging popularity of low- and non-alcoholic offerings among urban consumers, and the ongoing shift toward e-commerce. Traditional retail channels are expected to lose market share as digital platforms gain traction.

Wine tourism emerges as another key growth pillar. An anticipated increase in winery visits and participation along Spain’s wine routes will diversify revenue streams and enhance brand loyalty, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized wineries that seek to foster deeper consumer connections.

Structurally, the number of active wineries is expected to decline modestly, stabilizing at around 3,780 by the end of the decade. This reflects an industry trend towards consolidation, where scale, operational efficiency, and investment capacity become critical factors for survival and success.

Climate change remains an existential challenge. Spanish viticulture will increasingly rely on sustainable practices, precision agriculture, heat- and drought-tolerant grape varieties, and the exploration of cooler sites at higher altitudes and latitudes to preserve wine quality and regional identity.

Ultimately, Spain’s wine sector is moving toward a lower-volume, higher-value model, prioritizing sustainability, quality, and terroir expression. How effectively the industry adapts to these economic, environmental, and consumer-driven challenges will define its global competitiveness and prestige in the decades ahead.

Source: https://www.vinetur.com

Uncorking Profit: How Reimagining Wine Education Can Boost the Industry

At Wine Paris 2025, Areni Global unveiled its whitepaper Rethinking Wine Education, the result of an 18-month research initiative led by CEO Pauline Vicard. The project addressed a pressing concern in the wine industry: the persistent gap between current educational offerings and the evolving needs of the global wine trade.

Findings: A Misalignment of Passion and Proficiency

The research encompassed roundtables, workshops, and interviews with key stakeholders across the USA, Netherlands, and China, including recruiters and educators. The consensus was clear—while the industry attracts passionate and creative individuals, many lack essential business competencies.

Notably, institutions like the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) reported a 15% rise in Diploma candidates in 2024, demonstrating strong demand for wine-specific education. However, trade leaders consistently highlighted critical deficiencies in broader professional skills—particularly in sales, finance, and strategic planning.

The Ten Core Skill Gaps Identified by Areni Global

  1. Financial literacy and commercial awareness
  2. Project and operations management
  3. Sales strategy and execution
  4. Market and consumer insights
  5. Digital content creation
  6. Data literacy and analysis
  7. Professional resilience and adaptability
  8. Negotiation and conflict resolution
  9. Strategic foresight and entrepreneurial initiative
  10. Communication: editing and writing

This deficit extends beyond technical knowledge. Respondents cited challenges with communication styles, noting that some professionals are unwilling to promote wines they dislike or speak condescendingly to customers.

Conclusion: Towards a Holistic Wine Education Model

The whitepaper argues for a recalibration of wine education—integrating commercial and interpersonal competencies alongside traditional wine studies. Such a shift is essential to develop well-rounded professionals capable of sustaining and scaling profitable wine businesses in a competitive global market.

Source: Areni Global

OIV’s 2024 Report on the Global Wine Sector: Emphasizing Adaptation and Multilateral Cooperation

The International Vine and Wine Organisation (OIV) reinforced the importance of multilateral cooperation and adaptation to changing conditions, as global data on the wine sector in 2024 was released at its online Press Conference April 15th,2025.

The OIV also released statistics on production, consumption and trade from all producing and consuming nations (over 180) to create a snapshot of the sector in the 2024 calendar year.

The data highlights the effects of climate change, shifting consumer preferences and geopolitical uncertainty upon the sector.

OIV Director General, John Barker, said that these impacts present a challenge of adaptation for the wine sector, but that successful adaptation would bring opportunities.

“Working together to develop solutions to climate change and making wine a beacon of sustainability; investing in research on new audiences so that we can see wine through their eyes; reinforcing our commitment to multilateralism and global trade: these are the elements that will lead the wine sector forward.

The OIV has a key role as the global reference for vine and wine, uniting 51 countries to promote cooperation, harmonization and knowledge sharing around the key challenges and opportunities for the sector.”

KEY DATA AND INSIGHTS

Decrease in global vineyard area slows

The global vineyard surface area has been decreasing for the past four years. A contraction of 0.6% to 7.1 million hectares in 2024 showed a slower rate of decrease. The downward trend is driven by vineyard removals across major vine growing regions, but a few countries are showing a dynamic of expansion of their vineyards.

World wine production faces climate change

Global wine production in 2024 is estimated at 226 million hectolitres, the lowest in over 60 years, down 5 % compared to 2023. This is largely due to unpredictable and extreme weather events in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres caused by climate change.

New consumption patterns and diversity of the markets

In 2024, global wine consumption is estimated at 214 million hectolitres (mhl), a 3.3% decrease compared to 2023. If confirmed, this would represent the lowest global consumption level since 1961.  This is due to an intersection of economic and geopolitical factors generating inflation and creating uncertainty, as well as a decline in mature markets shaped by evolving lifestyle preferences, shifting social habits and generational changes in consumer behaviour.  However, across 195 countries, wine has never been so widely consumed worldwide. It has also been recalled that a number of countries that combine strong overall consumption with very large populations still offer significant growth potential.

Equilibrium between production and demand

Despite ongoing declines in both production and consumption, global market equilibrium is expected to hold in 2024, as production is unlikely to exceed demand_ continuing the trend seen with the small 2023 harvest. Two consecutive years of low output may help stabilize the market, though stock levels are likely to remain uneven across regions.

International trade holds volumes and value

Export volumes held steady at 99.8 million hectolitres (mhl). Export value slightly declined by 0.3% to 36 billion EUR, but remains at a historically high average export price of 3.60 EUR/litre. Inflation and low supply continue to keep prices high compared to pre-pandemic years (almost 30% above).