Liquor Industry News
The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)
By: Mark C Lenzi
CSW, CSS, CWAS, FWS, IWS*, SWS, OWE, IWM*
11-03-2025
Liquor Industry Week In Review
The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)
This Weeks Highlights:
New Products
Beginner’s guide: reading Champagne labels
US craft distillery numbers drop 25%
The best breweries in Massachusetts
Wine Regions: Argentina
Argentina is best known as the land of Malbec — but that’s just the beginning.
https://napavalleywineacademy.com/pages/wine-regions-argentina
The 10 Best ‘Holy Grail’ Whiskeys, According to Expert Bartenders
When it comes to whiskey, rare doesn’t always mean better, but bartenders swear by these hard-to-find bottles.
https://www.foodandwine.com/holy-grail-whiskeys-11824622
Drew Bledsoe is on his way to Boston — and he wants to drink wine with you.
Ahead of a ticketed Seaport dinner, the former New England Patriots quarterback talks roasting Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, the Patriots, and all things wine.
10 Common Cocktail Ingredients You’re Probably Pronouncing Incorrectly
We asked five experts to weigh in on the most mispronounced cocktail ingredients. Below, discover their index with the correct pronunciations and why bartenders love to use them.
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/drinks-terms-defined/mispronounced-cocktail-ingredients/
WHAT WINES TO SERVE AT THANKSGIVING (THAT ARE EASY AND AFFORDABLE)
Choose your wine based not only on how you’ve prepared and seasoned your bird, but also on what sides you’ve prepared to go with it.
https://livingthegourmet.com/2025/10/what-wines-to-serve-at-thanksgiving.html
10 Producers You Should Know to Get Into Barolo
One of the great wines of Italy — and sometimes referred to as “the king of wines” — Barolo can be a bit intimidating.
https://vinepair.com/articles/10-barolo-producers-you-should-know/
Wine Industry Uncertainty 2025 Update
Many predicted that the dramatic increase in tariffs would lead to higher retail prices and this has happened to a certain extent.
https://wineeconomist.com/2025/10/14/2025-update/
Non-Alcoholic Wine For Pets? New Zealand Company Says Yes
The range of tipples sold by Auckland-based Muttley’s Estate has names like Pawt, Champawgne, Purrno Noir and Sauvignon Bark.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/non-alcoholic-wine-for-pets-new-zealand-company-says-yes-9450369
Why Classic Italian Wines Continue to Drive U.S. Wine Sales
From Soave to Chianti, U.S. consumers love classic Italian wines, and Bolla’s La Fondazione collection, which blends heritage, quality, and modern appeal, offers a trusted taste of Italy’s most beloved wines
https://daily.sevenfifty.com/why-classic-italian-wines-continue-to-drive-u-s-wine-sales/
What Is the Best Way to Mix Tequila and Wine? Step-by-Step Guide
Mixing tequila and wine might sound unusual at first, but it can be a fun way to create something new and exciting for your taste buds
https://tequilatravesuras.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-best-way-to-mix-tequila-and-wine
Wine Lovers Win on Science, Lose on Noise
When research shows balanced, moderate wine consumption can be healthy, anti-alcohol advocates drown it out
https://www.winespectator.com/articles/in-health-battle-wine-lovers-win-on-science-lose-on-noise
Tariffs Have Potential to Reshape U.S. Beer Market
Tariffs could bolster domestic production — but the gains would likely be felt by big brewers.
PFAS in your pint?
How brewers can reduce chemical exposure in the brewing process
Patriots legend Vince Wilfork teams up with Samuel Adams for grilling-themed beer launch
The ‘Vince Grill-Fork Lager’ is the latest athlete collaboration from the Boston brewery
Fashion meets flavor in new book from Chicago wine expert Kiana Keys!
Little Black Book of Wine + Food: 60 White & Red Wines to Make Your Tastebuds Blush
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/309465
A Doctor Explains Whether Alcohol Can Age You Prematurely: ‘Listen To Your Body’
Why Alcohol Can Accelerate Aging
https://www.shefinds.com/collections/alcohol-age-you-prematurely/#slide-1
How Can Wine Be ‘Floral’?
We Explain
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/drinks-terms-defined/floral-wine-meaning/
German wine harvest set to increase 5% in 2025
Germany’s 2025 wine harvest is forecast to improve on last year’s weak crop, with strong gains for Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc, but smaller yields for Müller-Thurgau and Dornfelder, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/german-wine-harvest-set-to-increase-5-in-2025/
Brown-Forman warns growth goal delayed as Bourbon slump bites
Lawson Whiting, chief executive of Brown-Forman, has said his plan to double the size of the group will take “a couple of years longer” than expected. The slowdown comes amid weakening global demand for Bourbon, political headwinds and investor pressure.
The Case Against Orange Wine
Wine doesn’t need to be reinvented. Or orange.
https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/story/the-case-against-orange-wine
New Orin Swift wine born in a dive bar toilet
Orin Swift, the Gallo-owned Napa label founded by Dave Phinney, has launched a rebellious new wine tied to the lavatories of US dive bars. Sarah Neish investigates.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/new-orin-swift-wine-was-born-in-a-dive-bar-toilet/
Which countries prefer Beaujolais wine?
Beaujolais wine is widely recognized as one of France’s more popular (red) wines. Indeed, recently, the American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE) looked at France’s main Beaujolais export markets 2024.
http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/10/which-countries-prefer-beaujolais-wine.html
Wine’s Big Move Towards the Middle
The changing consumer landscape is nudging more and more winemakers towards mid-strength wine.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/10/wines-big-move-towards-the-middle
Cannabis drinks are having a moment even as Americans consume less alcohol
Americans are still cracking open cold ones, but what’s inside their cans is changing.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cannabis-infused-drinks-target-thc-beverages/
Gallo Introduces Single Serve 200 mL Tetra Packs
Convenience, Accessibility, Affordability
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/309394
What Additives are Permitted in Whisky?
From coloring to flavor enhancers, some whisky styles are permitted to contain additives
https://whiskyadvocate.com/Additives-Permitted-in-Whisky
New Whiskey
- Campari-owned Russell’s Reserve has released the fourth whiskey in its Single Rickhouse Collection. This year’s whiskey, Camp Nelson E, is blended from barrels found on the fifth floor of the rickhouse and bottled at a barrel proof of 64% abv. According to the company, this is the highest-proof whiskey bottled under the Russell’s Reserve label to date. Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson E is now available in limited quantities across the U.S., carrying a suggested retail price of $300 a 750-ml. Russell’s Reserve had U.S. volume of 83,000 cases last year, according to Impact Databank.
The Glenlivet debuts Jamaican rum cask-finished whisky
Chivas Brothers-owned The Glenlivet has kicked off its new Beyond Speyside series with a US-exclusive single malt finished in a Jamaica rum cask.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/10/the-glenlivet-debuts-jamaican-rum-cask-finished-whisky/
What Exactly is the Michelin Guide Up To?
The Michelin Guide announced that it will soon begin rating wines.
https://www.vinography.com/2025/10/what-exactly-is-the-michelin-guide-up-to
New Bourbon
- Luxco’s Penelope Bourbon has released Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned, a new limited-time ready-to-serve cocktail. The cocktail is made with straight Bourbon, rye whiskey, apple cinnamon bitters, and simple syrup, and bottled at 40% abv. 11,000 cases of Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned will be released this year, available in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin for a suggested price of $30 a bottle. Next year, according to the company, the cocktail will be available nationwide.
What’s the Difference Between Sweet Mash and Sour Mash Whiskey?
Whiskey is a product of several crucial decisions that impact both style and flavor
https://vinepair.com/articles/difference-between-sweet-mash-and-sour-mash-explained/
We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Cheap Bourbon? (2025)
Cheap bourbons are the category’s unsung heroes.
https://vinepair.com/articles/wa-bartenders-underrated-cheap-bourbon-2025/
Your Essential Guide to Italy’s DOC and DOCG Wines – 2025 Version
Understanding them changes how you see the entire Italian wine landscape. It’s like learning to read the grain in a piece of wood before you start carving.
https://acevola.blogspot.com/2025/10/your-essential-guide-to-italys-doc-and.html
Is Merlot Alive and Kicking 21 Years After Sideways, the Movie?
Merlot Retains Its Popularity Despite the Wild Ride – Let’s Visit the Filming Location
Apalta DO: Chile’s hidden treasure in Colchagua Valley
Apalta DO offers terroirs and varieties off the beaten track, as db discovered at a masterclass with Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle Chile.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/apalta-do-chiles-hidden-treasure-in-colchagua-valley/
Pink Chardonnay joins Champagne’s list of authorised grape varieties
The natural mutation of Chardonnay Blanc becomes the eighth permitted grape variety in Champagne in what experts are describing as “a small revolution in the vineyard.” Giles Fallowfield reports.
How to Properly Chill and Store Large-Format Bottles of Wine
Magnums, double magnums, jeroboams, imperials, nebuchadnezzars — large-format wine bottles are a great deal of fun
https://vinepair.com/articles/how-to-store-and-chill-large-format-wine/
9 South African Wineries to Visit Now
From Chapman’s Peak to the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa’s landscapes set the stage for some spectacular sips.
https://www.foodandwine.com/south-africa-cape-winelands-11829769
Wacky Misinformation and Silly Opinions Are Killing Craft Beer
The New York Times recently published Wacky Labels and Silly Names Are Killing Craft Beer, an opinion piece about craft beer. “Killing?”
https://washingtonbeerblog.com/wacky-misinformation-and-opinions-are-killing-craft-beer/
Four New Discoveries About Beer and Wine That Might Change How You Drink
Scientists continue to uncover fascinating details about beer and wine, even though people have been brewing and fermenting these beverages for thousands of years.
https://scitechdaily.com/four-new-discoveries-about-beer-and-wine-that-might-change-how-you-drink/
Brock professor warns cancer labels on alcohol could mislead public
‘To reach the level of cancer risk presented in regular tobacco smoking, a drinker would have to consume so much that they would die of alcohol poisoning,’ says university’s Chair of Health Sciences
Is Every Wine a Brand? And Does it Matter?
The concept of wine brands is viewed very differently on both sides of the Atlantic. But it can divide Britons too.
https://robertejoseph.substack.com/p/is-every-wine-a-brand-and-does-it?utm_medium=newsletter
10 Wine Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts For The Discerning Taster
Make this your go-to guide for the do’s and don’ts of wine etiquette.
https://www.brookswine.com/10-wine-etiquette-dos-and-donts/
Diageo could sell Crown Royal site
Diageo has responded to rumours that buyers have emerged for its Crown Royal site earmarked for closure in Ontario, stating it has not received any credible offers.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/10/diageo-could-sell-crown-royal-site/
Rant: Don’t Stress Over Choosing Your Thanksgiving Wines!
Every year countless people stress over which wines to pair with their Thanksgiving dinner.
https://passionatefoodie.blogspot.com/2025/10/rant-dont-stress-over-choosing-your.html
Carlsberg creates the world’s smallest beer
A non-alcoholic symbol of responsible drinking
The best breweries in Massachusetts
Find the best breweries in Massachusetts — including reader favorites and a statewide map to guide your next beer tour.
https://www.boston.com/food/beer/2025/10/21/best-breweries-massachusetts-2025/
Bartenders Share the Strangest Drink Requests of Their Careers
We asked them to share the wildest, weirdest, and most unexpected drink requests they’ve ever received behind the bar.
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/spirits/weird-drink-orders-bratenders/
US craft distillery numbers drop 25%
The number of US craft distilleries plunged by a quarter in the 12 months to August 2025, with California suffering the biggest drop.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/10/us-craft-distillery-numbers-drop-25/
Wines of Argentina unveils global campaign as exports surge in US and Brazil
Argentina’s national wine export body has launched a new global communication strategy under the banner The Wine for Now, aimed at strengthening its footprint in key export destinations. The US and Brazil currently account for 39.2% of Argentina’s wine exports, with 21.7% and 17.5% of total volume, respectively.
New Russells
Russell’s Reserve’snew single rickhouse release, Westland Garryana’s first 10 Year Old, and O.H. Ingram’sflagship are among the offerings featured in Whisky Advocate’s latest weekly roundup. The website has all the details.
How Prohibition and the Mexican Revolution Shaped an Iconic California Wine Family
A Mexican colonel walks into a Baja California distillery, and out walks an Italian immigrant with a ranch east of Los Angeles that becomes one of the most prominent wineries in America.
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/galleano-family/
Why More Couples Are Saying ‘I Do’ to Dry Weddings
For decades, dry weddings carried a certain stodgy stigma.
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/dry-wedding-trend/
New Sam Adams beer is illegal to buy in 15 states – because it’s so strong
Sam Adams said reaching 30% ABV was a personal goal of founder and CEO Jim Koch, but more important was reaching getting the flavor right for a beverage that “blurs the line between beer and fine spirits.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/sam-adams-utopias-strongest-beer/
Alcohol Industry Steps Up Lobbying On Hemp Drinks As Congress Debates THC Ban
Beyond marijuana and alcohol industry stakeholders, the filings also reveal lobbying spending on cannabis issues from advocacy groups, government entities, non-cannabis corporations, financial institutions are more.
How to Make Non-Alcoholic Wine Worthy of Fine Dining
For decades, few people took non-alcoholic wines seriously.
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/non-alcoholic/non-alcoholic-wine-leitz/
The charm of wine labels: Do they matter more than what’s inside?
To judge a wine by its label is not a sin. An imperfect science, yes, but an entirely human proclivity. Eliza Dumais defends the visceral, gut instinct that drives so many wine purchases.
https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/opinion/in-defence-of-judging-wine-by-the-label-567947/
Why China does not need a signature grape
Marselan is being hailed as China’s rising star. But Master of Wine Fongyee Walker believes quality, not a single variety, should define the future of Chinese wine. Nimmi Malhotra reports.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/why-china-does-not-need-a-signature-grape/
Surfside sues AB InBev alleging copycat packaging
The owner of vodka-based hard tea brand Surfside is taking legal action against Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) for allegedly copying its packaging design.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/10/surfside-sues-ab-inbev-alleging-copycat-packaging/
NEW JD
- Brown-Forman has announced Jack Daniel’sSingle Barrel Special Release Tanyard Hill Rye, the newest yearly addition to the brand’s line of specialty high-end releases. This year’s whiskies come in between 65.10% and 74.40% abv, depending on the barrel. The whiskey is made from a mash of 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% malted barley, and the barrels have been aging since November 2015. The new release is rolling out now in limited quantities across the U.S. at $80 a 700-ml. bottle. Last year, Jack Daniel’s (excluding flavored whiskies and RTDs) was just below five million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
A Look At The Top 25 Nip Bottle Selling Towns In Connecticut
Statistics for nip liquor bottles sold in Connecticut were released this week for the latest six-month period.
https://patch.com/connecticut/across-ct/look-top-25-nip-bottle-selling-towns-connecticut
New Bourbon
- Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the ultra-premium experimental whiskey from The James B. Beam Distilling Co., is launching a new Warehouse Series with a three-part collection consisting of Warehouse R (“Mushroom”), Warehouse W (“Beaver”), and Warehouse G (“Owl”) releases. The Warehouse Series whiskies carry an 11-year age statement and are debuting across select markets. The limited editions are all at 55% abv and retail at $150 a bottle.
Taking a Closer Look at Mexican Wine
I think it’s time to take Mexican wine much more seriously.
https://www.vinography.com/2025/10/taking-a-closer-look-at-mexican-wine
Beginner’s guide: reading Champagne labels
Understanding a champagne label can be somewhat mystifying to the uninitiated. Help is at hand! What follows is a glossary, a key to sweetness levels, and a list of producer types.
https://www.therealreview.com/2025/10/22/a-beginners-guide-to-reading-champagne-labels/
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast
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