Plant-based production upgrade: Rockwell Automation is helping Spain’s Liquats Vegetals digitise manufacturing to boost process visibility, consistency and energy transparency as plant-based beverage demand grows and changeovers multiply. Wine & low-alcohol innovation: Solos (Prodalim) expands its NoLo wine tech into Switzerland via Rimuss & Strada/Dealco Swiss, adding 10m litres capacity and using aroma-preservation to protect varietal character. Food tourism & wine culture: Ambiente Tapas is staging a five-course, wine-paired “A Taste of Rioja” event with Bodegas Navajas, pitching it as more than a tasting through regional stories and guided pairings. Hospitality & VAT pressure (Spain angle): A UK hospitality VAT-cut campaign highlights how Spain and Italy apply 10% VAT to food/dining, underscoring the competitive tax debate across Europe. Health research with drink links: An EASL 2026 study reported in Barcelona suggests fecal microbiota transplantation can improve alcohol abstinence and cut relapse in alcohol-associated cirrhosis—an unexpected gut-brain angle for alcohol cravings. Summer travel tie-in: Mojácar earns Royal Spanish Cycling Federation “Bike Territory” certification, aiming to attract cyclists year-round and spread spend beyond peak season.