Liquor Industry News 09-08-25

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

09-08-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

The Rise of Alcohol Alternatives

How can wine fight back against RTDs?

What Is Solera Aging?

Is the Italian Margarita Actually Italian?

You’re Asking the Wrong Questions

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/spirits/italian-margarita-trend-olive-garden/

When Trump tariffs hit French barrels and corks, California’s winemakers feel the squeeze

Small California producers say Trump’s EU levies are driving up costs and threatening family businesses

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/aug/15/wine-california-trump-tariffs

Alcohol consumption has hit a 90-year low

The percentage of U.S. adults who say they drink alcohol has dropped to 54%, the lowest rate seen by Gallup in almost 90 years of tracking alcohol consumption in the country.

https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2025/08/18/alcohol-consumption

Côtes de Provence gains new cru

Sainte Victoire, which sits at the western end of the Côtes de Provence, has officially become a cru of the appellation.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/cotes-de-provence-gains-new-cru/

What could be the next ‘big thing’ in white wine from Italy?

During a webinar on selling Italian wine in the UK market, db quizzed two experts on their top tips for the next ‘big thing’ when it comes to whites from Italy – and the responses may surprise you.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/what-could-be-the-next-big-thing-in-white-wine-from-italy/

The Best Nonalcoholic Drinks Our Editors Actually Love

From vibrant aperitifs to botanical spritzes and zero-proof wine, these are the standouts in a sea of new nonalcoholic drinks.

https://www.foodandwine.com/editors-favorite-nonalcoholic-drinks-11791992

Can alcohol labels be trusted?

Now more than ever people are paying attention to alcohol levels in their wines, as no/low alternatives are finding a fanbase and people consider what moderation means. Decanter digs into the process in the US for labelling alcohol by volume in wines and what those numbers might really mean.

https://www.decanter.com/learn/alcohol-labels-561088/

Underwood Debuts Non-Alcoholic Rosé Bubbles in a Can… for the Modern Drinker

Union Wine Company, an Oregon-based B Corp that’s the force behind the country’s top-selling canned wine brand Underwood, is innovating once again

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/08/19/underwood-debuts-non-alcoholic-rose-bubbles-in-a-can-for-the-modern-drinker/

Teeth Whitening Tips for Wine Lovers

With the right care and a few expert strategies, you can continue to savor your favorite vintages while keeping your smile radiant.

https://www.mondaygrazianidds.com/teeth-whitening-tips-wine-lovers-charleston/

Texas Hill Country wineries team up for first-ever Wine Camp this fall

No, there’s no bunk beds involved, but campers can expect to gain insight into Texas’ ever-growing wine industry through sessions led by growers, winemakers, and culinary experts.

https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/hill-country-wine-camp/

Old Forester Celebrates 25 Birthday Bourbon Releases With a Bold Break From Tradition

This anniversary bottling keeps the age and proof but changes the way it’s made.

https://www.foodandwine.com/old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2025-11792333

Why are people drinking less in the US? A beer historian has the answers

A Northeastern historian and alcohol industry expert says the aftershock of the COVID-19 pandemic and social media have played a major role in why fewer people, especially young people, are drinking.

https://news.northeastern.edu/2025/08/18/why-people-are-drinking-less-alcohol/

‘B Corp isn’t a badge, it’s a mindset’

Despite industry headwinds, more EU wineries are embracing B Corp certification as a means to bolster business.

https://lmarcher.com/2025/08/08/b-corp-isnt-a-badge-its-a-mindset/

Two truths of wine marketing not widely acknowledged

It’s important that we realize that not all consumers are like us, and we aren’t selling wine to ourselves.

https://wineanorak.com/2025/08/17/two-truths-of-wine-marketing-not-widely-acknowledged/

What Is Solera Aging?

With roots dating back to the 1700s in southern Spain, solera aging is a winemaking technique best known for its role in producing the complex, nutty sherry wines of Andalusía.

https://vinepair.com/articles/solera-aging-explained/

Spirits-based RTDs surpass $2.7bn

The spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) segment is now worth US$2.7 billion in the US off-premise, almost three times its size in 2021.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/08/spirit-based-rtds-surpass-2-7bn/

Going strong: The rise of higher proof American whiskeys

Cask strength whiskeys are growing in popularity, as distillers across the US experiment with higher alcohol levels to offer more authentic spirits with intense flavours. Carissa Chesanek learns more and recommends six bottles to try.

https://www.decanter.com/spirits/going-strong-the-rise-of-higher-proof-american-whiskeys-563189/

Wine Careers

Distributor Sales vs. Supplier Sales — Which Is Right for You?

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/08/21/wine-careers-distributor-sales-vs-supplier-sales-which-is-right-for-you/

July 2025 Total US Beverage Alcohol Review

Spirits RTD growth has slowed significantly. The July 2024 trend was (+59.9%)
https://www.bw166.com/2025/08/19/july-2025-total-us-beverage-alcohol-review/

Seven reasons it’s a miracle anyone gets interested in wine

The reality is, given the obstacles that the industry puts up, a better question to ask is, why does anyone get interested in wine? Here are seven reasons it’s a minor miracle.

https://www.northwestwinereport.com/2025/08/seven-reasons-its-a-miracle-anyone-gets-interested-in-wine.html

New Sparkling

California sparkling wine producer Chandon, part of the Moët Hennessy portfolio, is launching a new 100% Chardonnay Reserve Blanc de Blancs offering nationally. Aged for a minimum of 3.5 years and partially fermented in French oak barrels, the newcomer retails at $32 a bottle and is made from regeneratively farmed, estate-grown Chardonnay in the cool-climate Carneros style. According to Impact Databank, Chandon grew 2% to just under a half-million cases in the U.S. market last year.

Malibu to launch RTDs with Dole

Pernod Ricard-owned Malibu has joined forces with juice producer Dole on a range of canned cocktails, which will be released early next year.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/08/malibu-to-launch-rtds-with-dole/

Sulfites in wine: Part II

In Part I of our series on wine and sulfites, Westgarth Wines wine expert Maurizio Broggi explained why this chemical is essential for fine winemaking. In Part II, he looks at the cellar process, health rules, and natural wines.

https://westgarthwines.com/blogs/news/sulfites-in-wine-part-ii

The New Project is Here: The Spill

Many years in the making and about to launch…it’s just what wine lovers need today

https://tomwark.substack.com/p/the-new-project-is-here-the-spill

9 Things You Should Know About Labatt, Canada’s Largest Brewery

As one would expect from any brewery that’s been around for 170-plus years,

https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-labatt/

Tennessee Whiskey Is Evolving. Is That a Bad Thing?

But in the past decade or so, the surge of interest and investment in American whiskey, centered on Kentucky bourbon, has extended to Tennessee.

https://vinepair.com/articles/whiskey-from-tennessee-not-always-tennessee-whiskey/

Why You Won’t Find Liquor Sold In Grocery Stores In Certain States

There are 18 control states (technically 17, since one is a county), where the sale of alcohol takes place in state-run stores.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1944990/why-some-states-no-liquor-grocery-store/

Why are people drinking less in the US? Doctor links alcohol to cancer

A Gallup poll reveals only 54% of US adults consume alcohol, the lowest since 1939. Alcohol consumption has halved in recent years, with rising concerns over health risks. Experts suggest a shift similar to the decline of tobacco use may be underway, prompting a review of alcohol guidelines.

https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/why-are-people-drinking-less-in-the-us-doctors-link-alcohol-to-cancer-11756014783963.html

How can wine fight back against RTDs?

As wine’s core consumer ages and new recruits are put off by the category’s perceived lack of accessibility, RTDs have gained momentum, boosted by their convenience, flavour innovation and appeal to younger LDA drinkers. How can the wine industry stem the tide?

https://www.theiwsr.com/insight/how-can-wine-fight-back-against-rtds/

Trump’s tariffs to face major court test brought by US small business owners

Plaintiffs argue president lacks legal power to impose duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/28/trump-tariffs-lawsuit-small-business

After Retiring from Football, East Fallowfield’s Dick Vermeil Busy Making Fine Wines

The winery’s tasting room in Napa has already been recognized as the very best in the area, voted number one in Napa for two years running, a distinction that underscores its consistent quality and popularity among visitors.

https://vista.today/2025/08/retiring-dick-vermeil-fine-wines/

Climate change pushing winemakers to blend wines from different years

In the world of wine vintage is king. If you are buying a bottle of red, white or rosé then the specific year of the grape harvest is almost always written on the label.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxp41y3n7lo

From Tradition to Trend: Scheid’s Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay Shakes Up Wine Category

A bold fusion of classic winemaking and seasonal flair engages the next wave of adventurous wine drinkers

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/newreleases/article/307247

New study: The label on the wine bottle determines flavor and price

The feel of a wine label influences what consumers expect from a wine and whether they perceive it to be of high quality.

https://hochschule-burgenland.at/en/about-us/news-press/press-releases/detail/new-study-the-label-on-the-wine-bottle-determines-flavour-and-price/

Cheap Beer Brands You Should Avoid Buying, According To Customer Reviews

Here are some of the least expensive beers, which can be found for a relative pittance in six-packs or giant cardboard suitcases, that just aren’t worth the price, according to beer-knowledgeable customers.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1945393/cheap-beer-brands-avoid-buying/

New Research Suggests Microplastics May Be More Widespread in Drinks Than You Think

Scientists analyzed popular beverages and uncovered a surprising pattern of microplastic contamination across everyday drinks.

https://www.foodandwine.com/hot-drinks-microplastic-contamination-11797948

There’s Nothing ‘Petit’ About Petit Chablis

Here’s what you need to know about the French white wine that is a surprisingly great value.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/petit-chablis-wine/

America Can Brew Way More Beer Than We Drink. It’s Causing Problems.

Craft breweries’ problem — well, one of them — is that they’re stuck in the middle.

https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-america-brewing-more-than-drinking/

A red blend for Ol’ Crimson

Bledsoe Family Winery launches new wine to support WSU Cougar Collective

https://www.kxly.com/news/a-red-blend-for-ol-crimson-bledsoe-family-winery-launches-new-wine-to-support-wsu/article_93868cdd-f331-4785-b7e8-46d1652bccf3.html

Champagne foil remains ‘optional’ after two-year legal battle

The Comité Champagne has withdrawn its opposition to an EU ruling that foil on bottles should be made optional. The turnaround follows research that suggests the absence of foil would not affect sales or damage Champagne’s image.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/champagne-foil-ruled-optional-after-two-year-legal-battle/

Fluid physics reveals why some beers produce bigger heads

The frothy layer of foam which sits at the top of a freshly poured glass of beer, known as the ‘head’, can reveal a lot about the beverage.

https://cosmosmagazine.com/news/beer-foam-fluid-physics/

The Rise of Alcohol Alternatives

Which States Are Drinking Less Booze?

https://www.traceone.com/resources/plm-compliance-blog/states-drinking-less-alcohol

The Historic Mezcal Harvesting Technique Disappearing in the Modern Era

A fading technique among Oaxacan mezcaleros that the meteoric growth of mezcal has not only left behind, but erased to the point that Google can barely find it: tumbado.

https://vinepair.com/articles/tumbado-mezcal-technique/