Fine and rare wines that have a trail of ownership behind them command higher prices. But, says Rebecca Gibb MW, it was ever thus.

Mexico has been a wine-producing nation since the 1520s, when the Spanish brought grape vines with them. Although the country is best known for its tequila, the wine market is growing, both for domestic and imported wines, albeit off a small base. The population is mostly young and urban and, as elsewhere, there is a growing middle class. This group, estimated at 21m people, includes a highly educated younger generation that’s keen to explore food and wine. According to Wine Intelligence, wine consumption has increased by 40% in the past decade, and could hit 2 L per head by 2020. James Lawrence speaks to market insiders.

Hail and frost hit Burgundy hard this year, leading to lower yields. Panos Kakaviatos asks what impact this will have on prices.

Vietti, one of Barolo’s top brands, was sold to American investors for a record sum, causing uproar across the region. Wojciech Bońkowski reports.

As regions become more aware of the value of visitors, international wine tourism is booming. Felicity Carter finds out what wine tourists are looking for.

Column - Robert Joseph

South Korea is one of Southeast Asia’s most attractive markets for wine exporters, given an affluent population who are increasingly interested in wine. According to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report, France was the leading supplier of wine to Korea in 2014, followed by Chile, and then Italy. James Lawrence asked experienced market watchers for their thoughts.

When the Russian government decided to certify sommeliers, it left many in the wine business scratching their heads. Anton Moiseenko asks why they’re doing it – and who stands to profit.

Wine magazines and blogs are full of talk of natural wine. There are bars and events and passionate supporters devoted to the trend. Simon Woolf asks how this has translated to sales.

A new US-based company has begun to sell copies of well-known wine brands. What are the implications for brand owners? Felicity Carter has some thoughts.

Column - Robert Joseph 

Regions that were once marginal for grape growing have become valued viticultural areas. Adam Lechmere went along to an industry conference to learn more.

One of the quieter, but most important, global wine markets is Japan, whose population has been called one of the most wine knowledgeable in the world. Consumption is still relatively low, but value is high, with sales of wine over $28.00 a bottle continuing to increase. And in February this year, the Japan Times reported that Japan had seen the world’s third-largest rate of growth, after South Africa and the US. We asked some industry observers for their view of the market.