Liquor Industry News 09-18-23

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

CSW, CSS, CWAS, FWS, IWS*, SWS, OWE, IWM*

09-18-2023

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Trends in Wine Consumption in the US Wine Market

What should Americans be drinking this autumn?

What counts as a ‘low-alcohol’ wine?

It’s Official, These Two Wines Have Officially Replaced Rosé As the Official Wine of Summer

According to recent data from Drizly, these two varietals have dethroned this classic warm-weather wine.

https://www.foodandwine.com/barbera-and-gamay-trend-7866995

How Long Can I Keep Alcohol in a Hot Car?

Whether accidentally or as a matter of necessity, sometimes alcohol gets left in the car.

https://vinepair.com/articles/ask-joanna-alcohol-in-hot-car/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=e8edf9dfbe-August_29_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-e8edf9dfbe-38937345&mc_cid=e8edf9dfbe&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

How will California storms affect wine purchases?

Storm damage on the west coast could leave to a potential “scarcity of grapes that aren’t able to be harvested due to damage,”

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/08/how-will-california-storms-affect-wine-purchases.html

Turns Out, There Is A Right And A Wrong Way To Store Your Glasses

Peeking inside a friend or acquaintance’s cabinet where they keep their glassware can be quite enlightening.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1376669/right-way-store-glasses-not-upside-down/

What Totally Legal, Liquor Store ‘Moonshine’ Is Really Made Of

In the collective mind, moonshine is another word for bathtub gin or alcohol made on the run from the feds in the backwoods.

https://www.mashed.com/1375333/what-makes-liquor-store-moonshine-different/

Wine Coolers Are The Nostalgic Libations That Deserve A Boozy Comeback

Wine coolers in the 80s and 90s had a reputation for being generally awful.

https://www.mashed.com/1372817/wine-coolers-nostalgic-drink-boozy-comeback/

Why Mead Fell Out Of Popularity And How It Could Make A Comeback

Fortunately, thanks to a growing number of local brewers and the environmental benefits of mead, it looks like it is finally primed for a resurgence.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1376080/mead-fell-popularity-could-make-comeback/

Tequila Prices Are Surging. Is a Shortage Looming?

The spirit’s growing popularity has created a problem that will take years to fix.

https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/tequila-costs-shortage

8 Things You Should Know About Four Loko

In what might not be entirely surprising news: Four Loko actually got its start in the basement of a fraternity house.

https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-four-loko/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=ae2e16f9f5-August_28_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-ae2e16f9f5-38937345&mc_cid=ae2e16f9f5&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

One Of The Biggest Misunderstandings In Champagne Wine Addressed By A Top Champagne House

Dosage is the tiny amount of wine that tops off the Champagne bottle after disgorgement – the ejection of the sediment deposit after the second fermentation has taken place in each bottle of Champagne.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/cathrinetodd/2023/08/30/one-of-the-biggest-misunderstandings-in-champagne-wine-addressed-by-a-top-champagne-house/?sh=1bba91e37785

A fruit fly has landed in your wine – is it OK to drink?

The fly is clearly dead. But given what you know about where flies hang out, you wonder if it’s safe to drink

https://theconversation.com/a-fruit-fly-has-landed-in-your-wine-is-it-ok-to-drink-211847

A Comprehensive Guide to Decoding a Sake Menu

Chicago sake sommelier Daniel Bennett helps us tell our daiginjo from our koshu

https://www.insidehook.com/article/booze/comprehensive-sake-guide

Spirit Of Gallo Rolls Out New Tequila Cocktail Brand VMC

Spirit of Gallo has launched VMC, a new Tequila-based RTD created in collaboration with boxer Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Casa Lumbre. The new line comes in three flavors—Paloma, Margarita, and Jamaica (hibiscus)—all at 5.5% and made with Blanco Tequila, sparkling water, and natural flavors.

The brand will roll out in September in 4-packs of 355-ml. cans and in individual resealable 700-ml. cans, priced at $11 and $5, respectively. The launch will initially focus on markets with large Mexican-American populations, according to the company.

“VMC was created and first launched in Mexico led by our partners at Casa Lumbre, and it was a huge success among Canelo’s fans,” said Britt West, senior vice president and general manager of Spirit of Gallo. “We are confident that VMC will capture the hearts and palates of Mexican and Mexican-American consumers in the United States. Consumers are looking for canned cocktails and full-flavor styles, but until now there hasn’t been an authentic Mexican offering in this category. VMC is here to change that.”

The flip side of alternative wines

The “new” style wines are exactly the same

https://www.lodiwine.com/blog/The-flip-side-to-alternative-wines

Wine and Moderation: What’s Healthy?

Is Wine Healthy?

https://winefolly.com/lifestyle/wine-and-moderation-whats-healthy/

Drinking a beer through a ‘hot dog straw’ just became a reality

Food company Oscar Mayer has created a ‘hot dog straw’ that is designed to be used for sipping a cold beer.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/08/drinking-a-beer-through-a-hot-dog-straw-just-became-a-reality/

Prosecco faces ‘annus horribilis’

A perfect storm of unpredictable weather conditions and issues with labour have meant the current Prosecco harvest has been called an “annus horribilis”.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/08/prosecco-faces-annus-horribilis/

Wait, Why Is Everyone Aging Liquor Underwater Right Now?

The ocean may be creating your next drink.

https://www.foodandwine.com/aging-wine-and-liquor-under-the-ocean-7963619

Why Whisky Casks Are More Valuable Than Bottles

Whisky, the world’s most traded spirit, becomes more precious with age.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1378498/whisky-casks-more-valuable-bottles/

How California’s ‘First Family of Chardonnay’ Also Saved American Sauvignon Blanc

The Wente family is credited with many firsts, including being America’s “First Family of Chardonnay”

https://vinepair.com/articles/wente-family-sauvignon-blanc/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=959fec4484-August_30_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-959fec4484-38937345&mc_cid=959fec4484&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

Captain Morgan Spiced Gold goes alcohol-free

Diageo has unveiled Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0%, the first dark ‘spirit’ in its non-alcoholic portfolio

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2023/08/captain-morgan-spiced-gold-goes-alcohol-free/

121 questions about wine

The food and drink editor of the Financial Times canvassed readers and staff for their questions about wine

https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/121-questions-about-wine

Former Employee Accuses Champagne House of Fraud

A woman is suing her former employer, the Champagne house Didier Chopin. According to reports from France Bleu Champagne-Ardenne and L’Union, Ludivine Jeanmingin is accusing her ex-boss of having used wine from the Ardèche and Spain for making “Champagne”.

https://www.meiningers-international.com/wine/news-wine/former-employee-accuses-champagne-house-fraud

El Niño unleashes severe floods on Chile’s vineyards

Heavy rainfall in Chile since last week has caused severe flooding, impacting several of Chile’s wine regions. Amanda Barnes reports

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/08/el-nino-unleashes-severe-floods-on-chiles-vineyards/

Every Flavor Of High Noon Hard Seltzer, Blind Tasted And Ranked

High Noon has stormed our hearts and wallets and become one of the most ubiquitous RTD (Ready To Drink)/hard seltzers on the market.

https://uproxx.com/life/best-high-noon-flavors-ranked-2023/

The ‘Wine Flu’ Is Real But Extra Hydrating Can Help You Combat It

Yes, wine flu is really nothing more than a hangover.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1377829/wine-flu-real-hydrating-combat/

Older adults are drinking more in the US, research finds

The trend among younger people drinking less than they were 20 years ago has been well documented, but are older generations making up for it?

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/09/older-adults-are-drinking-more-in-the-us-research-finds/

Inside Piedmont’s vintage of extremes

As the 2023 harvest gets underway in Piedmont, producers from the region reflect on how extreme weather has presented difficulties this growing season

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/09/inside-piedmonts-vintage-of-extremes/

New Zealand wine production down 6% following Cyclone Gabrielle

Six months after Cyclone Gabrielle ripped through New Zealand’s North Island, the long-term impact is only just becoming clear

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/09/new-zealand-wine-production-down-6-following-cyclone-gabrielle/

Here’s What Your NFL Team Would Be if It Were a Drink

New England Patriots: Ward 8

https://vinepair.com/articles/nfl-team-cocktails/

No, A Teaspoon Won’t Actually Keep A Bottle Of Champagne Carbonated

One particularly persistent myth claims that placing a teaspoon inside an opened Champagne bottle will help maintain its carbonation.

https://www.mashed.com/1382303/sparkling-wine-spoon-carbonation-myth/

Why Giant Wine Bottles Have Biblical Names Is A King-Sized Mystery

When it comes to the world of winemaking, decisions like the different sizes of wine bottles are made based on both years of tradition and modern science.

https://www.mashed.com/1382751/giant-wine-bottles-biblical-mystery/

What counts as a ‘low-alcohol’ wine?

How to Drink Better: Global warming has led to raised temperatures and, in turn, higher-alcohol wines

https://www.irishtimes.com/food/drink/2023/09/03/what-counts-as-a-low-alcohol-wine/

If You Don’t Own An Apple Corer, Look To Your Wine Bar For Help

A corkscrew does a great job on apples

https://www.thedailymeal.com/1381766/apple-corer-wine-bar-help/

Here Are The Top Selling Italian Wines In US Restaurants

The list predominantly features wines from Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto, constituing the majority of the selections.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jillbarth/2023/09/01/here-are-the-top-selling-italian-wines-in-us-restaurants/?sh=55c70b30c092

Why The World Has A Huge Wine Glut And Why It’s Only Going To Get Worse

The principal reason is that there is an astoundingly large wine glut in the world, and several reasons why there is one.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnmariani/2023/09/08/why-the-world-has-a-huge-wine-glut-and-why-its-only-going-to-get-worse/

10 Expert Tips On Choosing The Perfect Wine

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned wine enthusiast, making the right choice can sometimes be challenging. Fortunately, wine experts are here to help

https://www.stylerave.com/choosing-bottle-of-wine/

The Natural Wine Flaw

The movement began in the early aughts, took off in earnest after 2016, and hit a fever pitch right before the pandemic

https://vinepair.com/articles/natural-wine-term-flawed/

New Jersey Judge Upholds Retail Shipping Ban

Wineries have been able to ship into the bulk of states for years

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2023/09/new-jersey-judge-upholds-retail-shipping-ban

6 Major Differences Between How Italians and Americans Buy Wine

All three countries agreed that the most valuable factor in selecting a wine is having tried it before and liked it, showing that taste and familiarity are key in making a decision for all consumers.

https://vinepair.com/booze-news/wine-buying-trends-italians-americans/

Can vodka get rid of the smell of smoke?

Smoke can permeate upholstery, curtains and clothing in the home. But can spraying vodka help to eliminate the stench?

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/09/can-vodka-get-rid-of-the-smell-of-smoke/

New Survey Reveals How Consumers Select Wine: Taste Trumps Price

With wine sales starting to flatten globally, it is useful to re-examine how consumers select wine when they are shopping.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizthach/2023/09/06/new-survey-reveals-how-consumers-select-wine-taste-trumps-price/

Can oxygen resurrect wine into something truly special?

In the wrong hands, oxygen can kills wine, but in the right hands, the air of life can transform and resurrect wine. Kathleen Willcox discovers the secrets to success.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/09/can-oxygen-resurrect-wine-into-something-truly-special/

Discover Perricone: An indigenous red variety from Sicily, with eight wines to try

Once rare and perhaps endangered, Perricone is making a comeback, says Clive Pursehouse, who charts the long history of this grape variety from Western Sicily and recommends wines to seek out.

https://www.decanter.com/wine/wine-regions/sicily/discover-perricone-an-indigenous-red-variety-from-sicily-with-eight-wines-to-try-510009/

Mass. state treasurer renews bid to crack down on campus drinking

Underage college students hoping to score a six-pack of beer, box of wine or bottle of booze, beware.

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/09/05/underage-university-alcohol-massachusetts

What should Americans be drinking this autumn?

Online delivery platform Drizly has made its predictions on the most popular drinks categories this fall, with one European country’s red wine coming out on top.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/09/what-red-wine-should-americans-be-drinking-this-autumn/

Top 10 New Zealand grape varieties

Following the release of New Zealand Wine’s annual state of the nation report, db looks at the top grape varieties being produced in the country, and some of the best bottles available.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/09/top-10-new-zealand-grape-varieties/

Georgian Wine Producers Lose up to 100% of their Vines in Storms Affecting 4,600ha

On the evening of September 2, hailstorms of unprecedented ferocity tore through the Georgia’s largest wine region, Kakheti, where around 80% of the country’s wines are produced.

https://www.meiningers-international.com/wine/news-wine/georgian-wine-producers-lose-100-their-vines-storms-affecting-4600ha

Trends in Wine Consumption in the US Wine Market

Not only is the US the world’s biggest wine market by value, but few countries can offer the variety of wines, regions and styles available to American consumers.

https://www.meiningers-international.com/wine/academic-papers-wine/trends-wine-consumption-us-wine-market

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Join a Wine Club

Franklin Wine Club Wines