Franklin Liquors
Liquor Industry News
The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)
By: Mark C Lenzi
CSW, CSS, CWAS, FWS, IWS*, SWS, OWE, IWM*
03-09-2026
Liquor Industry Week In Review
The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)
This Weeks Highlights:
New Products
Wine Tariffs Still Up in the Air
Is wine getting worse?
The 30 Best Bourbons for 2026
The Wine World Has a Snob Problem
When hierarchy masquerades as expertise and consumers quietly opt out
https://mollybossardt.substack.com/p/the-wine-world-has-a-snob-problem?utm_campaign=post&triedRedirect=true
Is it all over for alcohol in the US?
U.S. alcohol consumption has fallen sharply in recent years, which has market questioning if long period of growth has ended.
https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/is-it-all-over-for-alcohol-in-the-us-4501134
Who Is America’s Most Wine-Savvy President?
One of America’s Fouding Fathers believed the United States could produce wines as good as European wines
https://www.vaildaily.com/news/who-is-americas-most-wine-savvy-president/
Suntory spirits sales fall in 2025 as demand drops
Japanese drinks group Suntory reported a 0.4% drop in alcohol sales last year due to a decline for spirits and a consumption slowdown in the US and Europe.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/suntory-spirits-sales-fall-in-2025-as-demand-drops/
English wine’s golden age faces a tiny villain
Spotted wing drosophila has gone from curiosity to complication across English and Welsh vineyards. Once the question was whether SWD had arrived; now it is about when it will bite and how quickly it might turn ripe fruit into a rot problem. James Bayley reports.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/02/english-wines-golden-age-faces-a-tiny-villain/
Why Champagne performed better in 2025 than the figures suggest
The year-end shipment figures for Champagne show a global decline in demand, but underlying consumption appears to have held up better than the headline numbers suggest.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/02/why-champagne-performed-better-in-2025-than-the-figures-suggest/
The Rise of New Old World Wine
Often under-represented, the wines of Central and Eastern Europe are the new kids on the old bloc.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/02/the-rise-of-new-old-world-wine
New Surfside
- Philadelphia’s Stateside Brands has expanded the Surfside RTD label with a new blueberry flavored lemonade. The new addition is at 4.5% abv and contains 100 calories per 12-ounce can. Surfside Blueberry Lemonade is available in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans that carry a suggested price of $11. In addition, the company has put out a new variety 8-pack featuring Surfside’s Half and Half expressions. The pack retails for around $20 and contains two cans each of Half and Half, Raspberry Half and Half, Mango Half and Half, and Blackberry Half and Half. Last year Surfside was named “2025 Spirits Brand of the Year” by Market Watch Magazine and the brand grew to 10.5 million cases in the U.S.
Can Wine Appellation Systems Withstand Climate Change?
Extreme weather is testing long-standing appellation rules on allowed grape varieties, vineyard locations, and more, intensifying the debate over the future relevance of geographical indications
https://daily.sevenfifty.com/can-wine-appellation-systems-withstand-climate-change/
From Olympic Powder to Alpine Pour: Inside Alto Adige Wine Country’s Mountain Terroir
Just miles from Cortina’s Olympic runs, Alto Adige’s winemakers harness snowmelt, soaring elevations, and tradition to craft Alpine wines built for endurance.
https://www.foodandwine.com/alto-adige-alpine-wine-11904805
‘I’m a sommelier – here’s my supermarket tip and why you’re really asked to taste the wine’
Sommelier Jo Radford tells the Money blog about dealing with tricky customers and the one part of the job that’s a little intimidating.
https://news.sky.com/story/im-a-sommelier-heres-my-supermarket-tip-and-why-youre-really-asked-to-taste-the-wine-13508117
New Woodford
- Brown-Forman’s Woodford Reserve has released Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Finish, the latest whiskey in the brand’s Distillery Series. The Bourbon is bottled at 45.2% abv and was finished in French oak barrels previously used to mature Cabernet Sauvignon. The release carries a suggested price of $65 for a 375-ml. bottle and is now available at the brand’s distillery and in select retailers across Kentucky. In addition, the whiskey can be shipped to consumers in Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C. Woodford Reserve was at 1.5 million cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank.
Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola intros lower-ABV cans
Brown-Forman has upped the size and lowered the ABV for the latest SKU in its Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola ready-to-drink (RTD) range in the US.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/jack-daniels-and-coca-cola-intro-lower-abv-cans/
Crémant de Limoux: France’s First Sparkling Wine Region
Why you should swap the Champagne for Crémant, France’s first sparkling wines, which were made long before the country’s most famous fizz took centre stage.
https://francetoday.com/food-drink/wine_and_spirits/cremant-de-limoux-frances-first-sparkling-wine-region/
Beer Is Your Ticket To Eating More Salad — Here’s How
Let’s get one thing straight from the get-go –- we’re not talking about some kind of sacrificial trade-off where you forgo drinking a beer until you’ve eaten a salad.
https://www.thetakeout.com/2100846/beer-upgrade-salad-dressing-flavor/
Somms Answer Wine’s New Questions
Younger generations are asking questions that, more than ever, suggest wine lovers want biodynamics over Burgundy.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/02/somms-answer-wines-new-questions
A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting
A Satirical Blend of Sommelier Savvy and Child-Rearing Challenges
https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2026/02/17/a-wine-lovers-guide-to-parenting-a-satirical-blend/
People who switched to cannabis drinks cut their alcohol use nearly in half
Cannabis-infused drinks could help some people trade heavy drinking for a lighter buzz.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260217005806.htm
Bardstown Bourbon faces gender discrimination lawsuit
A former executive of Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBC) has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the firm alleging gender discrimination and improper conduct.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/bardstown-bourbon-faces-gender-discrimination-lawsuit/
Proper No. Twelve unveils charred barrel Black Reserve
Proximo Spirits-owned Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey has introduced a blend finished in heavily charred American oak barrels.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/proper-no-twelve-unveils-charred-barrel-black-reserve/
5 Myths About Natural Wine
What’s True, What’s Not
https://www.raisin.digital/en/news/5-myths-about-natural-wine-whats-true-whats-not-1124/
Why Chile’s ‘forgotten’ ancestral grape is due a second renaissance
A decade ago, Miguel Torres sparked a País revival by proving Chile’s “forgotten” ancestral grape could make serious wine. Today, the producer predicts a second resurgence of the variety, thanks to its knack for withstanding climate change. Amelie Maurice-Jones reports.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/02/why-chiles-forgotten-ancestral-grape-is-due-a-second-renaissance/
The first Masters of Wine of 2026 have been announced
The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has revealed the names of four individuals who have passed all stages of the Master of Wine examination — a cohort that includes the first female MW to be based in Italy.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/02/the-first-masters-of-wine-of-2026-have-been-announced/
The 30 Best Bourbons for 2026
Whether you’re looking for screwtop economy bottles or high-priced allocated beauties, here are 30 of the best bourbons at every price point for 2026.
https://vinepair.com/buy-this-booze/best-bourbons-2026/
New On The Rocks
- Suntory Global Spirits has expanded cocktail brand On the Rocks with a new Whiskey Sour, made using Jim Beam Bourbon. The cocktail is bottled at 20% abv and is recommended to be served over ice with an orange wheel and maraschino cherry as garnishes. The Whiskey Sour is available in both 375- and 750-ml. bottles with the former retailing for around $13 and the latter for around $25. The new release is now available across the U.S. In 2025, On the Rocks was up 22% to 960,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
Why Does The New York Times Keep Telling You Alcohol Will Kill You?
Why has the world’s paper of record decided to publish so many stories about how awful alcohol is — and when will it end?
https://www.drinksinsider.com/p/why-does-the-new-york-times-keep
What Do Trees Really Do for Wine? More Than You Probably Think
From cooling vineyards to potentially shaping the notes in your glass, scientists and winemakers are just beginning to understand how forests influence flavor.
https://www.foodandwine.com/trees-influence-wine-vineyards-11909290
2026 Flavor & Food Trends Wineries Can Use
Too many wineries cling to “the way we’ve always done it,” and it is obviously not working for many winery operations right now. Traditional winemaking has its place, but tradition alone won’t help you stand out among thousands of competing brands in today’s challenging market.
https://www.dgwinemaking.com/2026-flavor-food-trends-wineries-can-use/
Scaling up: Japan’s new wave of whisky distilleries
With new distilleries multiplying at home, Japanese whisky is entering a more competitive and regulated era – one that will test its biggest names and its newcomers.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/scaling-up-japans-new-wave-of-whisky-distilleries/
New Bourbon
- Luxco’s Penelope Bourbon has released Barrel Strength 7-Year, the latest cask strength whiskey from the company. This whiskey is distilled from a mash of 70% corn, 23% rye, 5% malted barley, and 2% malted rye and bottled at 57.6% abv. Barrel Strength 7-Year is rolling out now in select markets across the U.S. The whiskey carries a suggested price of $60 a bottle, with Penelope releasing 13,000 6-packs.
A Year of Scanning: What You’re Really Drinking
Label scanning can tell a lot about wine, according to our Head of Advanced Solutions John Buckwell – and it says even more about you.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/02/a-year-of-scanning-what-youre-really-drinking
A Historic Supreme Court Decision Just Ended Trump’s Tariffs — With Far-Reaching Effects on Wine and Food Imports
The ruling overturns the administration’s use of emergency powers and opens the door to refund battles over more than $150 billion in duties paid by U.S. importers.
https://www.foodandwine.com/trump-tariffs-us-supreme-court-ruling-11910767
‘Impossible to describe:’ Importer who challenged Trump tariffs hails Supreme Court win
With wines and spirits arriving from 16 countries, nearly every corner of Schwartz’s supply chain was touched by the new tariffs
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wine-importer-who-challenged-trump-tariffs-celebrates-supreme-court-win
While corporate America stayed silent, a small wine importer risked his business to challenge Trump’s tariffs
Schwartz became the face of the fight to overturn Trump’s most sweeping tariffs — and he won, in a case that was decided by the Supreme Court on Friday.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/21/business/vos-selections-trump-tariffs-lawsuit-risk-takers
This $55 Whiskey Is America’s Best Rye, According to the 2026 World Whiskies Awards
The award rounded out a strong performance for Heaven Hill Distillery, whose Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye likewise received a Gold Medal.
https://www.foodandwine.com/elijah-craig-toasted-rye-best-rye-in-america-world-whiskies-awards-2026-11909643
Wine is good for your health if consumed in moderation and within the per diem expenses
Moderate wine consumption in people who closely follow the per diem expenses reduces mortality by up to 33%
https://biotech-spain.com/en/articles/wine-is-good-for-your-health-if-consumed-in-moderation-and-within-the-per-diem-expenses/
The global glut: vintners being paid to dispose of wine
Changing tastes, a fall in demand and overproduction of wine from the boom years have left vineyards with a problem
https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/the-global-glut-vintners-being-paid-to-dispose-of-wine-633vq8kn9
Microplastics in my wine!?
Does the tiny plastic liner that secures a seal between the closure and the bottle afflict our wine with invisible yet scary microplastics?
http://wineloverspage.com/2026/02/microplastics-in-wine/
How do people under 40 find their way into fine wine?
The fine wine sector has been operating on a series of false assumptions about how and why people engage with the category and become wine collectors, a new report from fine wine think tank Areni Global has claimed.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/02/how-do-people-under-40-find-their-way-into-fine-wine/
New Whiskey
- Heaven Hill Brands is introducing BernheimOriginal Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition. Bernheim’s 20th Anniversary Limited Edition is made from a special selection of barrels aged 10 years and is bottled at 115 proof (57.5% abv). It was produced at the Bernheim distillery and aged in rickhouses in Bardstown, Kentucky. Rolling out in limited quantities nationwide, the special edition wheat whiskey retails at $85 a bottle.
EU Council backs new no-alcohol wine definitions and updated labeling
EU rules being updated means better access to information on wine bottles, including ingredients and new digital label options, which makes it easier for consumers to choose products based on taste, nutrition, or personal preferences.
https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/eu-wine-policy-labeling-reform.html
U.S. Census Report Shows Wine and Beer Exports Collapsed by $472 Million in 2025
Those exports fall under the Census Bureau’s “Wine, beer, and related products” sector, which includes sparkling and still wine, beer, vermouth, cider, alcohol-based ready-to-drink (RTD) products, and other fermented beverages. For wine alone, exports dropped by $428 million — a 33.5 percent loss from 2024, according to Robb Report.
https://vinepair.com/booze-news/census-report-us-alcohol-imports-decline-by-millions/
‘Nearly a quarter in the drinks trade are thinking about leaving because of the culture’
Nearly a quarter of drinks professionals have considered leaving the industry because of harassment or discrimination, according to new data from Drinks United. Michelle Brampton, CEO of the WSET, and founding member of the Drinks United Programme Board, says the scale of the findings surprised even her and warns that junior staff are paying the highest price.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/02/nearly-a-quarter-in-the-drinks-trade-are-thinking-about-leaving-because-of-the-culture/
Rhode Island’s Wine Shipping Law: Why It Limits Consumer Choice
Other States Are Moving Forward, but the Ocean State Remains Behind
https://freethegrapes.org/rhode-island-wine-shipping-law/
Is wine getting worse?
Or at least much more limited in choice
https://fionabeckett.substack.com/p/is-wine-getting-worse
New Bourbon
Louisville, Kentucky-based Michter’s has announced the latest batch of its 10-year-old Bourbon. The limited edition release is bottled at 47.2% abv with the distillery noting that many of the whiskies used in the blend are aged beyond 10 years. Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon carries a suggested price of $195 and will be available in limited quantities across the U.S. In addition to the 10-year-old Bourbon, Michter’s also offers limited edition bottlings like Michter’s 10 Year Rye and, even more rarely, 20-year-old whiskies.
Wine Tariffs Still Up in the Air
Doubt is the only certainty a bewildered wine industry can rely on as President Trump looks for alternatives to tariffs.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/02/wine-tariffs-still-up-in-the-air
Women more likely to choose wine from female winemakers
Promoting women’s ownership in wineries can boost sales among the largest group of U.S. wine consumers, who happen to be women.
https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2026/02/25/women-more-likely-to-choose-wine-from-female-winemakers/
MGP’s FY whiskey sales sink 52%
Third-party producer MGP Ingredients saw sales drop by nearly a quarter last year as demand for its whiskey plunged.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/mgps-fy-whiskey-sales-sink-52/
No-Alcohol Wine Boom not so Boomy
No-alcohol wine is all the rage, if the hype is to be believed, but does it actually sell?
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/02/no-alcohol-wine-boom-not-so-boomy
How the alcohol industry is rethinking R&D amid falling global consumption
The global alcohol industry is in structural retreat as global consumers continue to drink less. Producers are scrambling to reformulate beverage R&D and regain their falling profits.
https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/alcohol-decline-wine-spirits-beer-trends.html
Here’s the Secret Code on Your Wine Label That Changes Everything
From Pommard to Dijon, the tiny clone number attached to your favorite grape may matter more than where it’s grown.
https://www.foodandwine.com/wine-grapes-vines-clones-11913083
15 Reasons Cruising is Ideal for Serious Wine Fans
First, you need to choose the right cruise line. Different lines target different demographics. Some target young families. Others target people who like dressing up for dinner.
https://allthingscruise.com/15-reasons-cruising-is-ideal-for-serious-wine-fans/
Heaven Hill unveils commemorative Deatsville Bourbon
Kentucky-based Heaven Hill Brands has sourced a limited edition 13-year-old Bourbon from its Deatsville campus.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/heaven-hill-unveils-commemorative-deatsville-bourbon/
The Surprising Origin Story of the Jell-O Shot
Part of the Jell-O shot’s charm is its subversive nature. It’s a silly, sneaky booze delivery system cleverly wrapped up in a classic dessert that likely evokes a childhood memory or two
https://vinepair.com/articles/jell-o-shot-origin-story/
A book review of, “Greek Wine Explained 2026″
It’s no surprise to me as, Yiannis Karakasis has done it again with his latest work, the excellent, “Greek Wine Explained” that’s been published for 2026.
https://www.hudin.com/a-book-review-of-greek-wine-explained-2026/
Why Layoffs Are Spreading In California Wine Country
Experts are still debating the reasons for a fall in wine profits. But in the wine industry reset, workers pay the price with their jobs.
https://patch.com/california/healdsburg/why-layoffs-are-spreading-california-wine-country
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