Wine News Roundup: Highlights from My Reading the Week of December 21, 2025

Hello and welcome to my weekly roundup of interesting wine-related stories from the web. This week’s selection highlights various perspectives on wine culture, industry challenges, and notable figures within the wine community. Here are the stories that caught my attention:

• World of Nothing: A Wine Free Future – This piece tackles the rising anti-alcohol messaging and its implications for wine enthusiasts.

• Meet 5 Gen Z Sommeliers Bucking Anti-drinking Trends – An exploration of young sommeliers who are redefining wine culture amidst trends discouraging alcohol consumption.

• From Detachment to Encounter: Wine Education in the Age of Resilience – A thought-provoking article on how wine education is evolving in response to contemporary challenges.

• Italy’s Three Musketeers and Their Island Wine – Learn about the collaborative effort of three winemakers to revive vineyard traditions on an Italian island.

• How Wine Can Blaze a Trail to a Much Brighter Future – A discussion on the potential of wine to inspire a more positive future for the industry.

• Marking a Year of Loss in Napa Valley – Reflection on prominent figures lost within Napa Valley over the past year.

• How a Russian winery group illegally smuggled its bottles into a longstanding San Francisco wine competition – An exposé on illicit practices affecting wine competitions.

• ‘Teeming with bugs:’ Washington winery accused of unsanitary practices – Investigative reporting on hygiene issues at a Washington winery.

• Canada stuck with millions in unsold US alcohol – A look at the challenges faced by Canada’s alcohol market.

• Is America’s political instability hurting the wine industry? – An analysis of how the political climate impacts the wine sector in the U.S.

• Fifty years ago, seven wineries put Napa Valley on the map. They’ll be celebrating all year long. – A celebration of iconic Napa Valley wineries commemorating 50 years since the Judgment of Paris.

• 2025 was the year orange wine died in the Bay Area – Insights into the waning popularity of orange wine.

• Georgian Wines Are Built to Age – A focus on the aging potential of Georgian wines.

• Foreigners Are Snapping up ‘Dream’ Chateaus on Fire Sale as France’s Wine Industry Struggles – Observations on international interest in French wineries amid economic challenges.

• What wines are worth cellaring? – Jancis Robinson discusses which wines are highly cellaring.

• 15 Unconventional Wine Terms, Explained – A contemporary glossary that demystifies unconventional terms in wine.

• Geoffrey Dean: enotourism delights in Switzerland’s Vaud region – A profile on the tourism potential of Swiss wine regions.

• Star winemaker in emerging American region shows old-guard elites how it’s done – Recognition of new voices and approaches in American winemaking.

• Elegance with a Value Twist: US Wines Growing Beyond Napa Cabernet Sauvignon – A look at how U.S. wines are expanding beyond the traditional Napa Cabernet.

• The Champagne Made With Rare, Ancient Grapes – Discover the uniqueness of a Champagne produced with rare ancient varietals.

• Women get drunk faster than men due to biology not tolerance – A scientific perspective on gender differences in alcohol metabolism.

• Beaujolais Remains One Of The Wine World’s Smartest Buys – An argument for the enduring value of Beaujolais wines.

• WHAT I’VE LEARNED | Jancis Robinson MW OBE – An interview that reveals insights from a prominent figure in the wine industry.

Stay tuned for more updates next week!

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!