Liquor Industry News 10-16-23

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

10-16-2023

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Wine Giants Weigh Down the Market

Is Alcohol the New Tobacco?

The 8 Best ‘Hair of the Dog’ Cocktails

The Long, Messy History of Booze and Sports Ownership

This bridge between liquor and sports ownership among the “Big Four” sports leagues (the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL) is not historically unique

https://vinepair.com/articles/alcohol-sport-ownership-history/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=1be05010e8-September_26_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-1be05010e8-38937345&mc_cid=1be05010e8&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

New

Actor Woody Harrelson has teamed with wellness entrepreneur Amy Holmwood to create the Holistic Spirits Company. The new company launches with two spirits—Origen Specialty vodka and Harmony gin—now available in California, Washington, D.C., Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and South Carolina, as well as via ReserveBar. The vodka ($40-$46, depending on market) is at 37% abv and is infused with artichoke leaves, muscadine grapes, green tea leaves, and elderberries. The gin, at 45% abv and retailing between $41 and $47, is infused with the same botanical blend as the vodka but with added coriander seed, hyssop, lemon peel, lime peel, angelica root, juniper berries, and orris root.

The (non-) science of biodynamics

Biodynamic viticulture is employed by some of the best wine producers in the world. But how sound is the science behind it?

https://worldoffinewine.com/news-features/biodynamics-non-science

The Most Unpopular Beer Opinions, According to Reddit

With over 100 styles of beer brewed at nearly 20,000 breweries worldwide, there’s a hell of a lot going on in the beer world.

https://vinepair.com/booze-news/unpopular-beer-opinion-reddit/

Alto Adige: six wine trends to watch out for

Sandwiched between the Alps and the Dolomites, the northern Italian region of Alto Adige provides a high altitude haven for winemakers, as Louis Thomas discovered at this year’s Alto Adige Wine Summit.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/09/alto-adige-six-wine-trends-to-watch-out-for/

We Tasted 31 Nonalcoholic Beers—Here Are Our Favorites

In hopes of priming you for a category that is forecasted to be worth $40 billion by 2032, we tasted, ranked, and organized some of the best, most celebrated NA beers on the market. Here are our findings.

https://food52.com/drinks/non-alcoholic/28301-best-non-alcoholic-beers

Supermarket Giants Safeway and Albertsons Enter the World of Online Fine Wine with Direct Shipping

The new fine wine portal is a giant leap for the retail giant. It will initially be available to California customers through the company’s multiple brands

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/277078

New Fre

Non-alcoholic wine label Fre is launching two of its wines in 187-ml. mini bottles. Produced by Trinchero Family Estates, Fre is the top non-alcoholic wine brand in the U.S. and was awarded Impact “Hot Brand” status after reaching 344,000 cases last year, up more than 100,000 cases since 2019. The brand now offers its Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in the mini bottles, which equate to a single glass of wine. These new offerings will be available at major retailers across the country beginning in October, with a 4-pack priced at $13.

The 8 Best ‘Hair of the Dog’ Cocktails

People will try just about anything to get rid of a hangover.

https://vinepair.com/articles/hair-of-the-dog-cocktails/

Wine giants weigh down the market

Analysis reveals it’s the big companies that are slowing the wine market.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2023/09/wine-giants-weigh-down-the-market

Fortified Wines Are ‘Cool’ Again — So Why Are Their Regions in Crisis?

Iberia’s fortified wine regions are, without exception, in the throes of chaotic upheaval in some form or another.

https://vinepair.com/articles/crisis-in-fortified-wine-regions/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=b48648fe3c-September_28_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-b48648fe3c-38937345&mc_cid=b48648fe3c&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

Low- and no-alcohol wines really do need to be the way of the future

Low- and no-alcohol drinks are therefore now becoming quite popular.

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2023/09/low-and-no-alcohol-wines-really-do-need.html

Length is SEX IN A GLASS

Wine is a full body experience.

https://www.mensjournal.com/wine/length-is-sex-in-a-glass

The One Thing You Should Always Do When Drinking Champagne

Though we like to encourage treating yourself to Champagne as frequently as possible, this particular category of bubbly is often reserved for special occasions.

https://vinepair.com/articles/do-this-when-drinking-champagne/

FRANZIA—YES, THAT FRANZIA—AND OVERTONE ARE COLLABORATING ON A NEW HAIR COLOR KIT

Normally drinking and hair dye are not recommended mix, but this new collaboration of wine-inspired hues is the exception.

https://www.nylon.com/beauty/franzia-overtone-wine-inspired-coloring-conditioner-kit-collaboration

The Difficult Child of Winegrowers in Piedmont

While the noble nebbiolo grape, which is used to make Barolo wine, is the most famous, the barbera grape is the most widely planted grape in Piedmont, comprising over 30% of all vineyards planted, so much so that Barbera wine is called the ‘wine of the people.’

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/about-barbera-italian-red-wine-grape-piedmont-alba-asti

The Oldest Distillery in Every State

Since its founding, the United States has seen its fair share of distilleries open and evolve.

https://vinepair.com/articles/america-oldest-distillery-every-state/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=152c5e6323-September_27_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-152c5e6323-38937345&mc_cid=152c5e6323&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

The Sparkling Erbaluce Wines From Piedmont

When you think of the wines of Piedmont, you probably think of Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto. And for sparkling wines perhaps Moscato? However… did you know delicious wines are made from the grape ERBALUCE in the north of the region?

https://glassofbubbly.com/the-sparkling-erbaluce-wines-from-piedmont/

Wineries Served Over Slavery Claims

The controversy over worker conditions in some South African wineries has prompted government action.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2016/11/wineries-served-over-slavery-claims

The Highest-Rated Beer in Every State

With over 331 million people living in the United States, it comes as no surprise that there is a copious amount of beer consumed here every year.

https://vinepair.com/articles/highest-rated-beer-state-map-2023/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=d1561c3b2d-OCTOBER_03_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-d1561c3b2d-38937345&mc_cid=d1561c3b2d&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

A wine made from grapes soaked in seawater? Yes, it’s a thing

This ocean-washed vermentino won’t set your palate alight. But it’s an interesting experiment.

https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/food-and-wine/a-wine-made-from-grapes-soaked-in-seawater-yes-it-s-a-thing-20230907-p5e2tc

Cognac vs. Armagnac vs. Calvados: The Main Differences

Here’s what you need to know about these iconic French fruit brandies.

https://www.liquor.com/cognac-armagnac-calvados-differences-8304164

Spain’s Wine Industry Faces Smallest Harvest Ever Recorded

The 2023 harvest has proven to be rough in just about every region around the world

https://vinepair.com/booze-news/spain-smallest-harvest-ever-recorded-2023/

7 Things You Should Know About the Finnish Long Drink

The 12-ounce beverage was inspired by the original Long Drink, a loose combination of gin, grapefruit soda or juice, and carbonated water that can be found on tap all over Finland.

https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-finnish-long-drink/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=ed40596326-OCTOBER_02_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-ed40596326-38937345&mc_cid=ed40596326&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

Don’t Believe This Myth About Your Drinking Glasses

There are a lot of complications around alcohol, and drinkware is definitely one of them.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1404988/myth-dont-believe-about-drinking-glasses/

The Difference Between Taste Vs. Flavor, According To An Expert

The world of food is full of strange terms and concepts that can be unclear to the average person, but two things that seem like they should be simple are taste and flavor.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1403167/difference-between-taste-flavor-expert/

Italy’s Best White Wines: 12 Essential Grapes to Know

Where should an Italian white grape journey begin?

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/grapes-101/italian-white-grape-guide/

The 30 Oldest Beers in America

Many of America’s favorite beers have been brewed in the same way for well over a century. From colonial taverns to modern craft brews, some beverages chronicle a journey as old as the nation itself, reflecting the meticulous artistry that defines American brewing history.

https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/09/30/the-30-oldest-beers-in-america/

The 25 Absolute Best Garnishes For Your Next Bloody Mary

There are few rules when it comes to garnishing your Bloody Mary, so if you’re looking for some inspiration, these are some of the absolute best options for both homemade cocktails and those you might order at brunch.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1407020/absolute-best-fresh-garnishes-next-bloody-mary/

New Zonin

Zonin is launching a new Orange-Cran Riviera Spritz. Retailing at $13 a 750-ml., the new entry is capitalizing on the spritz trend in the U.S. and is characterized by orange and cranberry flavors blended with sparkling wine. It’s rolling out now across on- and off-premise accounts throughout the U.S. Zonin’s range also includes a Coastal Lemon Spritz. Zonin’s core Prosecco depleted 370,000 cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank.

The Art of Mindful Drinking with Thoughtful Wines

To put it simply, mindful drinking is paying attention to physical and emotional sensations.

What does that mean?

It means that you will understand how you are feeling and the impact your emotions might have on the way you drink or why you are drinking on any particular occasion.

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/mindful-drinking-responsibly-alcohol-aware-natural-wine

Does 75% of the World’s Saffron Really End Up in Fernet?

It’s been alleged that Fernet-Branca uses 75 percent of the world’s saffron output each year to produce the famous amaro.

https://vinepair.com/articles/fernet-branca-saffron-consumption/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=4a09ad4ded-OCTOBER_04_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-4a09ad4ded-38937345&mc_cid=4a09ad4ded&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

Artificial Accounts and Bogus Bottles: Social Media Has a Problem With Whiskey Scammers

Since the infancy of the United States, whiskey has often found itself on the wrong side of the law.

https://vinepair.com/articles/identity-theft-bourbon-scam/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=4a09ad4ded-OCTOBER_04_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-4a09ad4ded-38937345&mc_cid=4a09ad4ded&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

Playboy launches vodka RTD

Following a US$13 million funding round to grow its alcohol beverage offering, Playboy has released new vodka-based seltzer Play Hard.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/10/playboy-launches-vodka-rtd/

Is Alcohol the New Tobacco?

Since at least the late 2010s, we’ve seen plenty of research studies that question how healthy it was to drink even “moderate” amounts of alcoholic beverages.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/non-alcoholic/alcohol-smoking-debate/?queryID=74a1cd04d9e8582c917cbcfbe62e74c8&objectID=post

Wu, Boston councilors ask lawmakers for 250 extra liquor licenses

In total, the bill would allow up to 250 new licenses over a five-year period

https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2023-10-02/wu-boston-councilors-ask-lawmakers-for-250-extra-liquor-licenses

The debate over “natural” wine

Purists miss the important question: Is it made with integrity?

https://www.illinoistimes.com/food-drink/the-debate-over-natural-wine-17494725

The 1987 ‘Urine in Corona’ Hoax — a Slanderous Rumor That Nearly Derailed the Mexican Lager

That general idea, though baseless, hastened the spread of the then-emerging rumor that Corona contained urine.

https://vinepair.com/articles/urine-in-corona-hoax/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=aee7ab3993-OCTOBER_06_2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-aee7ab3993-38937345&mc_cid=aee7ab3993&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

How the oldest DOC in America is getting a facelift

The oldest DOC in the Americas is getting a face lift. Although progress has been slow within the 25-year-old DOC of Luján de Cuyo, several producers are trying to relaunch the brand and put it back in the spotlight. Amanda Barnes reports.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/10/how-the-oldest-doc-in-america-is-getting-a-facelift/

Winery Replaces Sulfites with Green Tea

For many people, sulfites can be source of allergy and other problems, but what if there was a clean, green alternative

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2023/10/winery-replaces-sulfites-with-green-tea

Home consumption vs the on-trade: have pandemic behaviours become entrenched?

IWSR analyses the regional trends in consumer attitudes towards the on-premise

https://www.theiwsr.com/home-consumption-vs-the-on-trade-have-pandemic-behaviours-become-entrenched/

A literate, literary tale of triumph over a triumvirate of troubles

Canadian wine writer Natalie MacLean’s latest book is a story of recoveries.

https://worldoffinewine.com/news-features/natalie-maclean-wine-witch-on-fire

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

Franklin Wine Club Wines