Drink Edition Weekly News Brief - Week Commencing 27 October 2025

1) UK & EU wine labelling: divergence you need to plan for

From 8 December 2023, wines sold in the EU must show ingredients and nutrition information (at minimum via a QR code/e-label). This stems from Regulation (EU) 2021/2117 and materially changes what must appear on pack or be accessible digitally for all new vintages marketed in the bloc. For exporters straddling EU and UK routes, that’s a design, compliance and workflow conversation — not just a sticker.

In parallel, UK guidance sets separate responsibilities for who is named on UK wine labels and how traceability is handled - meaning many brands will juggle dual templates or a unified label with market-specific elements. The practical takeaway for Q4–Q1: audit SKUs now, lock artwork cut-offs earlier, and use transparency as a consumer-facing trust lever rather than treating this as a hidden compliance cost.

2) Gen Z: drinking again - differently

IWSR’s Bevtrac shows a marked rebound in alcohol participation among legal-drinking-age Gen Z: across 15 major markets, self-reported consumption in the prior six months rose from 66% (Mar 2023) to 73% (Mar 2025). UK figures in the same analysis show similar momentum. The “Gen Z is sober” shorthand doesn’t hold - behaviour is more selective, premium and occasion-driven.

For brand owners and venues, the implication isn’t to chase volume but to stage experiences, credible low/zero options, and flavour-first serves that earn the higher-intent visits Gen Z still make. Expect trade-offs: fewer rounds, better quality, and formats that photograph well and align with lifestyle cues rather than price-per-unit.

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3) Pubs and bars: share gains in late August

Lumina Intelligence’s latest Eating & Drinking Out Panel snapshot shows pubs and bars gained share of out-of-home occasions in the four weeks to 31 August — up 2.5 percentage points year-on-year — despite weather and wallet pressure. It’s a reminder that social venues remain resilient where they deliver perceived value and atmosphere.

For operators, that means doubling down on “worth-the-trip” programming (signature serves, small-plate pairings, live elements) and staff advocacy. For suppliers, ensure on-trade kits, training and POS sharpen storytelling and speed of serve to maximise those fewer-but-bigger nights.

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4) UK night-out spend: near £4,000 per adult

Fresh coverage puts the average annual UK adult spend on nights out around £3,776, spanning clubs, bars and pubs. While baskets are smaller in frequency, spend per occasion remains robust - aligning with the “fewer, better” behaviour we’re seeing in venue traffic.

Marketing implication: lean into premium cues and frictionless discovery. Operators should spotlight clear price-value (set menus, bundles, or premium house-serves) while suppliers equip venues with compelling but efficient cocktails that justify ticket-price psychology without slowing the pass.

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5) Supply-chain tech: Next Glass acquires Ekos

On 27 October, Next Glass announced the acquisition of Ekos, a leading craft beverage ERP/supply-chain platform, and committed to a two-year price freeze for existing Ekos customers. The combined stack points to tighter integration of production, inventory, ordering and data for producers and retailers.

For indie producers, this accelerates expectations around digital operations - traceability, forecasting and B2B ordering UX become differentiators, not back-office chores. Consider how you surface this competence in trade decks: fewer outages and better stock integrity are now brand assets.

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6) Category watch - Port: waiting for rediscovery

Trade voices this week characterise Port as a category in decline until it’s “rediscovered,” squeezed by lighter, lower-ABV preferences and seasonality. Short-term headwinds feel structural: occasions have narrowed, and younger consumers skew away from fortifieds unless there’s a fresh twist.

Opportunity remains in education, serve ritual and cross-category collaboration (think Port highballs, chilled tawnies by the glass, or dessert-pairing menus). Brands that modernise formats and storytelling could mine Christmas, cheese-board and dessert occasions - but the work is heavy-lift.

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7) English fizz on tour: Chapel Down’s New York blind tasting

To mark World Champagne Day (24 Oct), Chapel Down and Fred Sirieix hosted a New York blind tasting pitching English sparkling against Champagne - a confident export-market play that generated coverage beyond the trade press. The stunt fits a wider push to normalise English fizz for US palates and premium occasions.

For the category, these earned-media moments help with awareness and price anchoring overseas. For rivals, expect more competitive tastings and collabs in key cities; for retailers, a nudge to widen English fizz facings before Christmas.

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8) English sparkling innovation: beyond the classic blend

Innovation continues at the boutique end: recent coverage highlighted 100% Pinot Meunier rosé sparkling and négociant-style approaches entering the English scene, signalling confidence to explore beyond the classic Chardonnay/Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier blend proportions. These releases give sommeliers fresh talking points and broaden pairing options.

For brand builders, the message is to pair experimentation with education — clear varietal storytelling, food-match prompts, and vintage notes that de-mystify style for consumers who still see English fizz as “new.” Limited runs with strong DTC content can test appetite ahead of larger cuvées.