Pierre-Alain Bapst, head of Swiss Wine Promotion since March, wants Swiss wines to rise from 37.5% of the market to 40%, while consumption fell 3.3% in 2025. He calls vine removal a failure in relation to the organisation's mission. The 2026 crop should be 25 to 30% smaller by volume; he says the sector can absorb it thanks to fairly high stocks.
Key takeawaySellers of Swiss wine are being urged to build their presence in retail and restaurants; for buyers, fairly high stocks may limit the risk of shortages despite the small crop.
Mercosur deal: farmers and the left join forces on a referendum
Parliament has approved the free-trade agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Social Democrats and Greens are launching a referendum, joined by the grassroots farming movement. The left cites mass imports of cheap meat and wine as unfair competition. L'Agefi also interviews Guy Parmelin on his trade policy.
Key takeawayFor importers of Argentine and Uruguayan wine, a possible vote will decide the access framework; Swiss sellers are following the debate on competition.
Italy: still and semi-sparkling wine in supermarkets falls 5.6% in the third quarter
According to Circana, sales of still and semi-sparkling wine, excluding sparkling, in Italian supermarkets reached 536.4 million euros in the third quarter, down 5.6%, on 1.41 million hl. Reds drop 12%, DOC/DOCG lose 8.3% in volume. Sparkling wines, counted separately, rise 0.8% in value. Over nine months, sparkling included, the total is 2.15 billion euros, down 1.6%.
Key takeawaySellers of Italian reds face weak demand and heavier promotions; for buyers, a softer home market may make offers easier to negotiate.
Spain: wine and must stocks reach 61.58 million hl
At the end of September, two months into the 2026/27 campaign, large Spanish producers and stockholders held 61.58 million hl of wine and unconcentrated must. That is 13.8%, or 7.47 million hl, more than a year earlier and a campaign high. The full INFOVI reports are for subscribers only.
Key takeawayFor buyers of bulk wine, these high stocks strengthen their negotiating position on Spanish supply; competing sellers are worth watching closely.
The UK autumn Budget raises alcohol duty by 4.55%, in line with the Retail Price Index, from February. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association puts the effect at 14p on a bottle of Prosecco and 18p on a 14.5% red. Its chief executive, Miles Beale, calls it a record-breaking increase.
Key takeawaySellers shipping wine to the UK should expect higher shelf prices; for importers, the rise weighs on British demand.
Champagne 2026: decree exceptionally allows more than 13% alcohol
A decree published in France's Journal officiel lets Champagnes bottled in 2027, blended from unenriched 2026 wines and older enriched ones, exceed 13% alcohol after the second fermentation. It follows a first INAO derogation granted in early September after the heatwave. Only a few growers are affected, according to Maxime Toubart.
Key takeawayChampagne sellers will see a climate-driven precedent; for buyers the measure covers small volumes but points to higher potential alcohol levels.
Grand Prix du Vin Suisse 2026: six podium places for Vaud wines
At the 20th Grand Prix du Vin Suisse, held on 23 October at the Kursaal in Bern, Vaud entered 567 wines, behind Valais. The canton won six podium places and fifteen nominations. Cave du Consul in Perroy took second and third in Chasselas; four of the six best Chasselas are from Vaud.
Key takeawaySellers of Vaud Chasselas gain a sales argument; buyers will find producers to consider for their ranges.
Spain's wine interprofession steps up promotion of Spanish wines in Switzerland
OIVE is continuing its European Celebrate the Diversity campaign in Switzerland, run with ViniPortugal and co-funded by the European Union for PDO and PGI wines, also in the UK and Norway. This week brought tastings and food pairings led by Master Sommelier Tony Lecuroux. The three-year programme includes 17 workshops and 9 VIP dinners.
Key takeawaySellers of Swiss wine face an active competitor among trade professionals; importers and restaurants can expect more Spanish approaches.
Italy: study of over 1,000 wineries points to liquidity and stock pressure
The Centro Studi Management DiVino analyses the accounts of more than a thousand Italian wine businesses with revenue above one million euros. Luca Castagnetti warns that delaying cuts to the number of stocked wines can worsen cash shortages and force fire sales. Results will be presented at a free webinar on 23 November.
Key takeawayBuyers of Italian bulk and parcels can expect cellars keen to clear stock; competing sellers are worth watching.
Vinitaly.USA: UIV makes the US a priority in the face of tariffs
At the opening of Vinitaly.USA in New York, Filippo Polegato, vice-president of Unione italiana vini, said almost 75% of its sample wants ICE agency resources concentrated on the US, the top market with 1.76 billion euros of exports last year. A meeting on tariffs is planned for Wednesday in Washington.
Key takeawayItalian sellers are betting on the US, which could redirect volumes towards Europe; Swiss importers are watching tariff developments.
Languedoc: Limoux weathers the crisis better thanks to sparkling wine
According to the growers' union, vineyard area in the Limoux appellation grew by 100 hectares between 2025 and 2026, reaching 1,800 hectares. Crémant de Limoux sold 8 million bottles in 2025, 52% of them exported, and its sales have almost doubled in ten years. Buyers remain more cautious, however.
Key takeawaySellers of crémant and southern whites have an example of value creation; buyers should note that blanquette is less export-driven than crémant.
Valais: debate on alcohol and health pits a grower-MP against Sucht Wallis
Valais MP and winemaker Matthias Delaloye sparked a debate on alcohol and health with ironic remarks about the effects of wine. Thomas Urben, director of Sucht Wallis, rejects the claim that the health sector is running a targeted campaign against viticulture. Radio Rottu Oberwallis covered it on 29 October.
Key takeawayWorth watching for Valais sellers and restaurants: the alcohol and health debate touches wine's image, with no measurable effect so far.
Daillens: Côtes de l'Orbe wine fair returns on 13 and 14 November
The Salon des Vins des Côtes de l'Orbe holds its 8th edition on 13 and 14 November 2026 in Daillens. Nineteen Vaud winemakers present their wines, alongside three guest cellars from Upper Valais (Heida, Resi, Cornalin). The Verre d'Or contest, a blind tasting of six wines, takes place on Saturday morning.
Key takeawaySellers in the region get a chance to meet local customers; buyers can spot producers from the Gros-de-Vaud.