Hello and welcome to the first weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web for 2026. I post these stories in my magazine on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren’t Flipboard-inclined, here’s everything I’ve strained out of the wine-related muck for the week.
The Problem with the Wine Business Is Business
Not business per se, but a certain style of business, says Jim Silver
The 3 Sake Trends on the Rise in 2026
Jim Clarke reports.
2025: In Memoriam
A lot of big wine names lost this year.
Changing the Rules: Hoopes Trial Could Upset Decades of Zoning & Winery Permits in Napa Valley
Let’s hope it does. This is a close reading of the matter.
Are Things Getting Better for the Wine Industry? SVB Says Yes — and No
Jeff Siegel parses things smartly, as usual.
Limits of Grapevine Stress: Distinguishing the Tolerable from the Intolerable
Very geeky article with lots of science. But very interesting.
Shadows over northern California
Jancis offers thoughts after a recent visit.
Why Lodi is Forming a Winery Improvement District
Santa Cruz, Lodi, Livermore, Santa Barbara — is Sonoma gonna get FOMO?
2026: The Year to Change the Narrative about Wine
Mike Veseth’s thoughts.
Drops of God Star Fleur Geffrier Reveals Insights on Season 2
I’m gonna watch.
Why I’m skipping Dry January
Editorial by a public health scientist.
It was a tough year for California wine — but here was the good news
Esther offers reasons to be hopeful.
Tired of Orange Wine? Try These Styles Instead
Some interesting suggestions from Vogue (who wrote about orange wine being the hottest new thing 10 years ago)
The corkscrew began as a tool for muskets, not merlot
Cool bit of history.
Wine’s Moment of Truth: It’s Time to Reinvent
Thoughts from Susan Kostrzewa and Barbara Gorder
We Asked 14 Sommeliers: What Bottle Is a Green Flag When You See It on a Wine List? (2026)
Many favorites on this list.
MiscRanked: The Countries that Drink the Most Wine per Capita
Portugal reigns supreme (apart from the Vatican).
California wineries are experimenting with a new type of tasting — and it doesn’t involve wine
Sparkling Tea for Dry January and designated drivers.
What should a wine lover drink when they’re not drinking?
Not dealcoholized wine, says Jancis.
This Wild Coastline Is Portugal’s Best-Kept Secret — and It’s Home to Incredible Restaurants
And there’s wine nearby, too, on the Vicentina coast.
How the wine world is set to change in 2026
Via Bloomberg.
Napa Contemplates Price Cuts
Wineries are far too reluctant to do this.
Can We Save Wine from Wildfires?
The New Yorker takes on the topic with its usual thoroughness.
‘We want to win’: Why Napa’s first Black-owned winery finally embraced the spotlight
Brown Estate reopens its doors.
The 10 Wines You Should Be Drinking in 2026
Eric Asimov has always liked an underdog. This year it’s Bordeaux.
5 Bold Wine-World Predictions for 2026
Everyone is prognosticating.
Italy Farewells Wine Giant
RIP Arnaldo Caprai
