Meininger’s International ceases publication after 19 years
Meininger’s International has closed. The German publisher Meininger Verlag confirmed on Wednesday that the English-language newsletter and website had been shuttered with immediate effect, bringing to an end nearly two decades of international coverage.
In an official statement, the company said: “Meininger Verlag will be discontinuing the online and newsletter format Meininger’s International. As part of a broader international business strategy, the wine and beverage-focused publishing house will now focus on strengthening its core media brands.”
The company will now concentrate on titles such as Weinwirtschaft and Meininger’s Sommelier, with ambitions to reposition these media outlets more globally through digital formats. The statement added: “By early 2026, selected digital content will be made available in English to key target groups across Europe, including the on- and off-trade markets as well as global producers.”
Meininger Verlag also expressed thanks to the team behind the title, stating: “Meininger Verlag sincerely thanks the team behind Meininger’s International, Dr Anja Zimmer (editor-in-chief) and Robert Joseph (editor-at-large), for their many years of professional collaboration and their passionate and dedicated contribution.”
The publisher’s international push began in 2006 with Joseph, whose knowledge of the global wine market was credited with laying “the foundation for this important step.”
Industry response and legacy
News of the closure prompted an outpouring of tributes from wine professionals. Former editor Felicity Carter wrote on LinkedIn: “I was sad to hear the news that Meininger’s International is closing.”
Carter, who helmed the publication for 12 years, added: “I was lucky enough to work with the world’s best wine journalists, from more than 40 countries — the magazine grew into a must-read in 38 countries. We even had people selling back copies on eBay.”
Robert Joseph also acknowledged the messages he received in the wake of the announcement: “The last 19 years have been a great ride, and I really appreciate the opportunity Meininger Verlag offered me to express my views over that time.”
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Others expressed hope for the future despite the industry turbulence. Karene Vilela, head of institutional relations at Bacalhôa and a master of wine student, reflected: “Anyone who follows me knows how much of a fan I am of this publication. It’s truly a shame to witness this farewell, but I genuinely hope it’s only a ‘see you soon’.”
Broader context: a challenging time for wine
The closure comes at a particularly difficult moment for the global wine trade. As db reported following the OIV’s press conference on 15 April 2025, wine production and consumption levels in 2024 fell to their lowest since 1961.
Global wine production reached just 226 million hectolitres last year, with director general of the OIV John Barker citing climate change as a key driver behind the decline: “For production, there can be no question that climate change is producing a number of impacts.”
The closure of Meininger’s International also reflects the broader pressures facing independent wine and drinks media. Across the UK and Europe, magazine closures have accelerated amid rising production costs, shrinking advertising revenues and shifting readership habits.
Many notable titles have shuttered in recent years, as digital engagement grows but often fails to provide a sustainable financial model. As highlighted in a UK House of Lords inquiry, only 11% of adults now access print magazines, suggesting that even well-regarded publications face challenges in an evolving media landscape.
While Meininger’s International will no longer provide its sharp lens on the wine world, Meininger Verlag’s broader strategy suggests its international ambitions remain intact.
As the wine industry navigates one of its most complex and volatile periods in recent memory, the closure of such a publication signals not just the end of an era in wine journalism, but also the need for evolving forms of communication, content and connection.
