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The Bayleys Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards for 2025 were held on Wednesday 22 October. Vintech Pacific once again sponsored the awards.

You heard it here first. Aged New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc will be festooning Christmas tables this year, with one UK retailer backing it as the white of the season. Sarah Neish gets under the skin of the trend.

The World Health Organisation’s claim that there is no safe level of alcohol has triggered fierce resistance from the global drinks trade. Previously, physician and vintner Dr Laura Catena has challenged what she calls misinformation, arguing that credible science shows moderate wine consumption may offer health benefits.

New Zealand saw the value of its wine exports fall marginally to NZ$2.10 billion (£0.91 bn) despite a 5% growth in volume over the last 12 months, on the back of “sluggish” sales to established markets.

The Académie Internationale du Vin (AIV) is speaking out publicly against the threat of what it calls the “denormalisation” of wine initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in an open letter to the heads of government of all United Nations member states.

Congratulations to Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands, who became the 2025 Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year on 29 May.

The 2025 New Zealand wine harvest has been widely welcomed following 2024’s reduced yields. Across the regions, winemakers reported not only a normalisation of volumes but also excellent fruit quality – notable in a country where diverse geography often leads to variability.

Newly named Vinarchy absorbs global wine brands including Jacob’s Creek and Campo Viejo as Pernod Ricard sharpens focus on premium spirits.

Sandra Hazlehurst, mayor of Hastings, New Zealand, tells db about the intensive two-year clean-up the region has undergone following Cyclone Gabrielle, and how Hawke’s Bay is looking at its brightest future yet.

Whitehaven Senior Winemaker Diana Katardzhieva has been named “Best Woman Winemaker” for still white wines at the 2025 Sakura Women’s Wine Awards.