Liquor Industry News 09-22-24

Liquor Industry News 09-22-25

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

09-22-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Wine Tariffs Get Their Day in Court

Impact of the wellness trend on wine consumption

Can Great Wines Exist Without Sulfites?

Exploring the Maremma and Morellino di Scansano

The Maremma is located in the southwestern part of Tuscany in the province of Grosseto.

https://www.vinotravelsitaly.com/2025/08/Maremma-and-Moris-Farms-Morellino-di-Scansano.html

10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT MODELO ESPECIAL BEER

If you think you know a beer, think again. Because Modelo Especial has a lot of things going on that even the most informed beer-lovers don’t have a clue about.

https://www.americancraftbeer.com/beer-briefs-10-things-you-may-not-know-about-modelo-especial-beer/

Moderate Beer Consumption Produces Benefits in Mice

Not all beers have the same effects.

https://www.lifespan.io/news/moderate-beer-consumption-produces-benefits-in-mice/

Can non-alcoholic drinks trigger cravings for full-strength alcohol?

A discussion between health experts and teetotallers has raised the quandary over whether non-alcoholic drinks that mimic alcoholic variants can create a yearning for returning to drinking. db looks into the debate.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/09/can-non-alcoholic-drinks-trigger-cravings-for-full-strength-alcohol/

Gen Z want spicy alcohol, matcha and pickles, report reveals

Spicy alcoholic drinks, functional beverages and matcha are having a moment, according to a Tastewise report composed of billions of data points sourced from April 2023 to April 2025.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/09/gen-z-want-spicy-alcohol-matcha-and-pickles/

Cincoro faces lawsuit over ‘100% agave’ claim

Michael Jordan’s Tequila brand, Cincoro, has been hit by a class action lawsuit that alleges it is not made from 100% Blue Weber agave.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/09/cincoro-faces-lawsuit-over-100-agave-claim/

The 10 Best Pumpkin Beers to Drink This Year (2025)

This trend is a double-edged sword. For those hoping to hold onto summer for as long as possible,

https://vinepair.com/buy-this-booze/best-pumpkin-beers-2024/

Trump does not put the American Liquor Industry First

Unfortunately, when it comes to the liquor industry and opening up markets and enhancing competition, the President has abandoned an America first policy.

https://irishliquorlawyer.com/liquor-industry-insights/trump-does-not-put-the-american-liquor-industry-first/

Galicia: Unprecedented wildfires scorch more than 90k hectares

While most wine producers avoided the worst, Alvaredos-Hobbs, the boutique project partly owned by Californian winemaker Paul Hobbs, has an estimated loss of 70% of production. The different DOs have started assessing the tragedy ahead of harvest.

https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/galicia-unprecedented-wildfires-scorch-more-than-90k-hectares-563902/

Don’t Throw Out Leftover Bacon Grease, Add It To This Liquor Instead

When you cook up a plate of sizzling bacon, you’ll inevitably be left with some grease in the pan.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1944087/dont-throw-out-bacon-grease-add-vodka/

Rock legends Queen trademark band’s crest for use on wine

Queen are reportedly preparing to enter the wine business, with founding members Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor trademarking the band’s iconic crest for use on bottles of vino.

https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/184014/Rock-legends-Queen-trademark-band-s-crest-for-use-on-wine

Why You Should Buy From an Independent Wine Merchant

Here’s why choosing an independent retailer could change the way you drink wine.

https://vine-wine.co.uk/why-you-should-buy-from-an-independent-wine-merchant/

Is water the new wine?

We’re moving away from considering bottled water just for hydration, and towards water as an experience

https://www.lgt.com/global-en/market-assessments/insights/lifestyle/is-water-the-new-wine-303638

CHAMPAGNE AND CRÉMANT DE LOIRE

19 POWERFUL SECRETS FOR MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

https://pepites-en-champagne.fr/en/blog/post/champagne-and-cremant-de-loire-19-powerful-secrets-for-making-the-right-choice-guide-essentiel-2025

Where to Now for Wine Tariffs?

A court has struck down Trump’s tariffs, but what does that mean for importers and the wider wine industry?

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/09/where-to-now-for-wine-tariffs

Your Beer May Contain ‘Forever Chemicals,’ According to New Research

The chemicals, linked to health risks, were detected in beers from both U.S. breweries and international brands.

https://www.foodandwine.com/beer-pfas-forever-chemicals-11801557

This Simple Trick Takes Pumpkin Beer to the Next Level

The trick is simple: Rim a glass with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar before pouring the beer.

https://vinepair.com/articles/pumpkin-beer-garnish-improves-taste/

Corks exempt from 15% tariff in the US

Closures manufacturers are celebrating as Trump announces that cork stoppers will not be subject to the 15% tariff applied to most EU products exported to the US. Sarah Neish reports.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/09/corks-exempt-from-15-tariff-in-the-us/

Can Great Wines Exist Without Sulfites?

The idea that sulfur is problematic tends to spark debate, if not outright controversy.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/sulite-free-wines/

RFK Jr. and the White House buried a major study on alcohol and cancer. Here’s what it shows.

Kennedy wants to “Make America Healthy Again” — but doesn’t want you to see a report that could do just that

https://www.vox.com/health/460086/rfk-jr-trump-maha-cancer-alcohol-study-health

Taste the Wine Rainbow

We felt it was interesting enough to warrant its own deep dive and explore the multifaceted world of the facets of wine colors. So, let’s have a look at why wines are the colors they are.

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/wine-color-red-white-rose-orange-maceration-winemaking

Alcohol-Free BRUNETTE by EdeM, a Catena Institute of Wine Creative Project

Available in the US Starting October 2025

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/newreleases/article/307562

The Detail About Organic Wine’s Shelf Life You Won’t Find On The Label

Sulfites are an antioxidant and antimicrobial

https://www.chowhound.com/1957709/organic-wine-shelf-life/

16 Essential Bottles of Bourbon

To trace bourbon’s evolution from the late 1700s to today, we’ve assembled a timeline of defining moments paired with bottles tied to each milestone.

https://vinepair.com/articles/essential-bottles-of-bourbon-timeline/

Fireball introduces Blazin’ Apple

Sazerac-owned Fireball Cinnamon Whisky has introduced a first flavour variant to its permanent range: Blazin’ Apple.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/09/fireball-introduces-blazin-apple/

Cava DO now 100% organic for Cava de Guarda Superior

All Guarda Superior Cavas released from now onwards will be certified as 100% organic. The milestone has been a long-held target for the Cava DO which now has nearly 110,0000 hectares of certified organic vineyards

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/09/cava-do-now-100-organic-for-cava-de-guarda-superior/

Alcohol vs. THC: What’s the Healthier Option? Here’s Where the Research Stands

If you’re trying to decide which drink is better for your body — alcohol or a THC-infused beverage — the answer, unsurprisingly, is complicated.

https://www.foodandwine.com/alcohol-thc-cannabis-healthy-11801996

Wine Tourism Is Drying Up and Nobody Saw It Coming

Hotel prices are slamming wine tourism

https://www.drinksinsider.com/p/tasting-room-traffic-falls-and-wine?utm_medium=newsletter

Supreme Court Is Next Stop for Wine Importer’s Lawsuit Against Trump’s Trade War

A federal appeals court agreed with a ruling that the President overstepped when he imposed universal tariffs, but the decision has been stayed pending appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/wine-importer-lawsuit-stymies-trump-trade-war

Kendall-Jackson Debuts First Sparkling Wine

Kendall-Jackson, the 3-million-case California wine brand known for Chardonnay, is introducing its first sparkling offering. The brand’s Vintner’s Reserve Brut Cuvée ($20) is made via the Charmat method from California-sourc ed French Colombard, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir and is bottled at 11% abv. It’s rolling out nationally at retail and online.

Parent company Jackson Family Wines noted that sparkling wines have been the strongest part of the wine market for several years, fueled by younger consumers. “Over the past five years, nearly 10 million new consumers have entered the category, with sparkling now accounting for more than 12% of total U.S. wine volume, up from just 8% in 2017,” the company said. “While the holiday season still accounts for about 20% of annual sparkling consumption, demand is increasingly driven by year-round occasions.”

Inside Ancient Rome’s Bacchanalia: What wine fueled the party?

Drinking wine to the point of ecstasy is something you’ve probably experienced, perhaps in the confinements of your uni halls, perhaps at pub-trips-gone-haywire, perhaps in a field at 3am. We’re not one to judge, and the ancient Roman god Bacchus wouldn’t have either. In fact, he had a whole cult following dedicated to doing just that. So what actually went down at the Bacchanalia rituals, and, importantly, what wine were they drinking?

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/09/inside-ancient-romes-bacchanalia-what-wine-fueled-the-party/

What Does It Mean if a Wine Is ‘Cooked’?

It either means the bottle has been sitting in a temperature that is way too hot, or it’s been sitting directly in UV light.

https://vinepair.com/articles/cooked-wine-explained/

Does Crop Thinning Really Lead to Better Wine?

Crop thinning—the practice of removing some grape clusters from the vine before harvest—is thought to boost the quality of the remaining crop, but how well does it actually work?

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/does-crop-thinning-really-lead-to-better-wine/

Why wine has a problem and how to solve it

Wine sales have now declined for three years – and the causes are structural and transitory – but there are solutions, according to Stephen Rannekleiv, executive director for food and agribusiness research at Rabobank.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/09/why-wine-has-a-problem-and-how-to-solve-it/

We Asked 16 Bartenders: What’s the Best Bourbon for Beginners?

Having some guidance can help make getting into bourbon a little easier.

https://vinepair.com/articles/wa-bartenders-best-bourbon-for-beginners-2025/

Five fascinating facts about Port

Westgarth Wines explores fascinating, fun facts about Port wine.

https://westgarthwines.com/blogs/news/five-fascinating-facts-about-port

Impact of the wellness trend on wine consumption

It has been widely reported that global wine consumption is now at the lowest level since 1961.

https://www.wineaustralia.com/news/market-bulletin/issue-347

Master Barolo Vintages

How does one determine a “good” vintage for Barolo wine and other Langhe wines?

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/langhe-italy-best-barolo-wine-vintage-barbera-nebbiolo

WHO has an unattainable requirement for health and wine

That is, science can never prove that alcohol poses no risk to health, only that it is or is not a low risk. However, the WHO does require precisely that:

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/09/who-has-unattainable-requirement-for.html

The 10 Most Important World Whiskies of the 21st Century So Far

If you wander into your local watering hole and ask the barkeep for a pour of whiskey — without adding any specifics — you’re almost guaranteed to get something that was brought to bottle in either Scotland, the U.S., Ireland, or Canada.

https://vinepair.com/articles/most-important-world-whiskies-since-2000/

Cointreau Enters The Ready-to-Serve Segment

Rémy Cointreau is launching the first ready-to-serve products under its Cointreau orange liqueur brand. Cointreau Citrus Spritz is debuting in Orange & Blood Orange and Lemon & Lime variants, both at 10% abv and retailing at $20 a 750-ml. bottle. The new offerings are a blend of Cointreau, French white wine, and natural citrus flavors.

Why Are BuzzBallz Biggies Such a Big Deal Right Now?

It seems like every generation to come of drinking age has their high octane, pre-packaged beverage.

https://vinepair.com/articles/buzzballz-biggies-explainer/

Wine Tariffs Get Their Day in Court

A date has been announced for the US Supreme Court hearing over the legality of President Trump’s tariff campaign.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/09/wine-tariffs-get-their-day-in-court

Wine Needs Restaurants

Restaurants have always been an essential part of creating and maintaining wine culture in America.

https://sonomawinegrape.org/wine-needs-restaurants/

Wine Retailers Brace For Potential Tariff Fallout

Already facing numerous industry challenges, beverage alcohol retailers must now deal with new wine tariffs.

https://www.marketwatchmag.com/wine-retailers-brace-for-potential-tariff-fallout/

Are Influencers’ Social Media Posts Promoting Alcohol Beverages Subject to TTB’s Advertising Regulations?

How does TTB determine if a post is an advertisement?

In making this determination, we will consider:

Whether or not an industry member directly, indirectly, or through an affiliate published, disseminated, or caused to be published or disseminated, any advertisement; in this case, the SMI’s posts; or,
If the SMI was compensated directly or indirectly by the industry member in return for the endorsement.
https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/09/12/are-influencers-social-media-posts-promoting-alcohol-beverages-subject-to-ttbs-advertising-regulations/

The 9 Best Japanese Beers, According to Experts

Don’t stop at rice lagers like Sapporo. Pour one of our favorite Japanese brews into your pint glass and thank us later.

https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a66012684/best-japanese-beers-to-drink/