Published every MondaySelection and commentary: Jean-Luc Kursner
Weekly review
Week 4319 to 25 October 2026
What mattered for the wine market
The week's news, selected from the Swiss and international press and summarised for winegrowers, wineries and merchants.
01
Subsidies and policyVaud
Vaud must protect its vineyards alone after Berne's refusal
Guy Parmelin has rejected a measure to protect Swiss winegrowers against imports. The canton of Vaud, disappointed by this refusal, has no choice but to act alone and is counting on an action plan, seen as crucial, to save its vines.
Key takeawayWithout federal protection against imports, foreign competition remains an issue, while the WTO agreements are based on outdated figures from the 1986-89 reference period.
The canton of Valais has tripled its inspections and has just identified a new suspected case of AOC fraud. The file has been passed to the Public Prosecutor's Office, which is taking over the case. Details of the wine and the operator concerned are not given in the available extract.
Key takeawayStronger inspections protect the value of the AOC, but caution over traceability is called for. This publication is nonetheless damaging, given that we are dealing with a suspected case and not a confirmed one.
Infovi data show more than 1.5 million tonnes of grapes entered Spanish wineries in August, 2.2 times last year's 680,000 t, pointing to an early harvest. Production reached 10.6m hl (+121%). Shipments fell 9% to just under 2.82m hl, and stocks of wine and must stand at 40.11m hl.
Key takeawayFor buyers of Spanish bulk wine this is a supply signal to watch; sellers will monitor the effect on prices, which is still to be confirmed.
Italy: wine exports reach €4.3bn over seven months
Istat data analysed by WineNews show Italian wine exports for the first seven months of 2026 at €4.3bn, 5.3% below 2025. Volumes are almost flat (-0.8%). The picture remains difficult but is improving, with a recovery notably in the United States.
Key takeawayOne to watch for importers of Italian wine: stable volumes with falling values point to lower average prices.
Apparent domestic wine consumption in Spain stands at 8.92 million hl between September 2025 and August 2026, down 805,084 hl or 8.3% on a year earlier. Red and rosé wines fall 13.5% and per-capita consumption drops 9.1%, according to the latest Infovi figures.
Key takeawaySellers of Spanish wine face a shrinking home market, which may increase export pressure; one to watch for bulk buyers.
OIV adopts 16 resolutions on winemaking practices and viticulture
At its 24th General Assembly, held on 16 October 2026 in Yinchuan, Ningxia (China), the OIV adopted 16 resolutions. They cover viticulture, oenology, economics and law, and safety and health, with new practices and technical updates.
Key takeawayWinemakers, merchants and importers should review the resolutions: recognised winemaking practices can affect labelling and trade, and the details remain to be checked.
Chandon China: LVMH's partner proposes to sell its vineyard stake
Ningxia State Farm Group has proposed to divest its 40% of Chandon (Ningxia) Vineyard Co., of which Moët Hennessy holds the remaining 60%. The group stresses the sale affects neither the Chandon brand nor sparkling wine production in China. Its wine-and-spirits division grew 6% organically in the third quarter.
Key takeawayFor sparkling wine buyers, no change to Chandon's production in China is announced; importers will follow how this vineyard joint venture evolves.
Fake Châteauneuf-du-Pape: seller's chalet in Megève seized
A producer was selling wine under a false appellation, passing it off as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. His chalet in Megève, Haute-Savoie, worth 1.6 million, has been seized. The excerpt available gives neither the value of the sales nor the next steps in the case.
Key takeawayBuyers and merchants sourcing prestigious appellations do well to check origin and traceability, as appellation fraud can lead to asset seizures.
Liv-ex: Bordeaux keeps the lead with 30.7% of traded value
According to Liv-ex, Bordeaux leads the fine wine market with 30.7% of traded value, down from 33.0% the previous week, ahead of Burgundy (24.8%, from 28.5%). US buyers keep the lead while European buyers pull back after a strong week; Cristal 2008 is the top-traded wine overall.
Key takeawaySellers of fine wine can see US demand as the short-term driver; European buyers, who purchase less steadily, remain worth watching.