Dionysus wine news
Harvests, ratings, sales and new releases from the wine world, each story with its sources.
Friday 30 October
Idaho’s 2026 grape harvest nears completion with lower yields in parts of the state
Idaho growers are completing the 2026 harvest after hail, heat, wildfire smoke and a cool autumn shaped an uneven season.
Rare older wines lead a selective Champagne recovery, Liv-ex says
Salon and Selosse assortment cases accounted for 11.5% of Champagne’s traded value in 2026 as rare older wines led a selective secondary-market recovery, according to Liv-ex.
INAO clears vineyard names for Crémant de Bourgogne labels
Gambero Rosso reported on 30 October 2026 that INAO had cleared individual vineyard names for Crémant de Bourgogne labels after 15 years of discussions.
Wine Paris targets wider international participation for 2027
Wine Paris will run from 15 to 17 February 2027, with two Chinese pavilions and first-time participation from Brazil and Canada.
Chiara Lungarotti named Winemaker of the Year in Corriere della Sera’s 2027 guide
Chiara Lungarotti was named Winemaker of the Year in Corriere della Sera’s 2027 guide, as reported on 30 October 2026.
Filipa Pato completes first year without copper in the vineyards
Filipa Pato and William Wouters used no copper for vineyard protection in 2026, relying on drone-applied plant-derived preparations from early May to late June.
54 wineries win Tre Bicchieri for the first time in Vini d’Italia 2027
Gambero Rosso reported on 30 October 2026 that 54 wineries won Tre Bicchieri for the first time in Vini d’Italia 2027.
Aurélien Valance to lead Château Margaux from 1 December 2026
Aurélien Valance will become managing director of Château Margaux on 1 December 2026, succeeding Philippe Bascaules.
Champagne Deutz releases Amour de Deutz 2015
Champagne Deutz released the 2015 vintage of its 100% Chardonnay prestige cuvée Amour de Deutz in 2026.
Champagne Deutz releases Blanc de Blancs Millésime 2019
Champagne Deutz has released its Blanc de Blancs Millésime 2019, made from 100% Chardonnay from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards.
Maison Marques et Domaines adds Champagne Deutz to its UK portfolio
Maison Marques et Domaines added Champagne Deutz to its UK portfolio in 2026, the importer’s 40th-anniversary year.
Château de Chambord plans additional Gamay and Pinot Noir plantings
Château de Chambord plans to plant several additional ares of Gamay and Pinot Noir, expanding a 14 ha organic vineyard on an unspecified timetable.
Companhia das Lezírias reports 36% increase in 2026 grape harvest
The 2026 harvest at the fully organic Herdade do Catapereiro vineyard rose 36% year on year to 814,800 kg.
Ribera del Duero’s 2026 grape harvest falls 4.2%
Ribera del Duero harvested 124.1 million kilograms of protected grapes in 2026, 4.2% less than in 2025, according to its regulatory council.
David Seymour to lead national sales at De Bortoli Wines
David Seymour will become General Manager – National Sales at De Bortoli Wines in November, succeeding the retiring Vince Gurciullo.
Wine Spectator publisher Marvin R. Shanken dies at 83
Marvin R. Shanken, founder of M. Shanken Communications and longtime editor and publisher of Wine Spectator, died on October 29, 2026, aged 83.
Randall Wine Group plans to remove about 1,220 hectares of Australian vineyards
Randall Wine Group plans vineyard removals totalling about 1,220 hectares after taking out 240 hectares across 6 sites in 2 years.
US wholesale wine volume fell 8% in the year through September
US wholesale wine volume declined 8% over 12 months, while white blends, Malbec and Sauvignon Blanc recorded revenue growth among wines priced at $9 and above.
German wine export revenue falls 3% in first half of 2026
German wine exports held steady by volume in the first half of 2026, but revenue fell 3% as weaker US sales outweighed gains in Nordic markets.
Thursday 29 October
Court approves RNDC plan as distributor continues wind-down
A Texas bankruptcy court confirmed the Chapter 11 plan for RNDC and its debtor subsidiaries on 27 October. Implementation and creditor settlements still require follow-up.
