An English sparkling wine and a Japanese shochu led the winners at the 2025 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), where fewer than 3% of over 7,000 global wine entries captured the coveted Gold medal. Read More
Market analysis
The Philippines defied a global slump in wine sales with nearly 30% import growth in the first half of 2025, and in a surprise twist, the United States — not France or Australia — emerged as its largest supplier. Read More
As many as 70% of China’s liquor chains have joined the on-demand retail boom, betting on 20-minute delivery to revive sales. But behind the rapid expansion lie steep costs, price wars, and doubts over whether traditional shops can truly profit. Read More
Two months after Beijing moved to soften its alcohol ban, some merchants report a faint sales uptick in August. But for most, the question remains: has business truly bounced back—or are deeper troubles still dragging the market down?
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Imports are down, but Malaysia’s wine scene is buzzing. Despite a steep drop in shipments and a majority-Muslim population, Bordeaux Liquid Gold sees demand surging — fuelled by tourism, a tilt toward premium wines, and an unexpected boom in white wine. Read More
China’s wine business is in the midst of a slow, grinding reshuffle. Profits are falling, cash is tight, and many companies are cutting back. Yet, in a market that has weathered years of turbulence, there are still players willing to take chances on what comes next. Read More
Vinodh Shankar of Sonarys, India's largest fine wine importer, offers a candid look at the real challenges, hidden costs, and why most producers get it wrong. Read More
Château de La Rivière, a prominent Bordeaux wine estate linked to a fatal helicopter crash in 2013, has been sold by its Chinese owner to Luxembourg-based private equity firm GFI, marking the latest withdrawal of Chinese capital from France’s wine industry. Read More
Hema X Membership concept was created to rival international giants like Costco and Sam’s Club,However, in the wine category, Hema X struggled to deliver on its premium positioning. Read More
Japan’s wine imports edged higher in value during the first half of 2025, defying a marginal dip in volume thanks largely to robust demand for French wine led by Champagne. Read More