Latest Liquor Industry News and Trends: Week in Review

Liquor Industry News 12-01-25

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

12-01-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Kosher certification planned for beer

Consumer preference for screw caps versus corks

Global alcoholic drinks volume to see further declines

How to Pair Chocolate and Wine Without Overthinking It

Wine educator, Leslie Sbrocco shares her foolproof guide to matching wine with chocolate.

https://www.foodandwine.com/pairing-wine-and-chocolate-11843685

The Wine Connoisseur: Drinks of American Presidents

Here’s a quick look at the favorite drinks of our U.S. Presidents — and some may surprise you

https://tbrnewsmedia.com/the-wine-connoisseur-drinks-of-american-presidents/

I Asked a Sommelier: Is It Lame to Use Wine Apps at a Restaurant?

Ordering wine at a fancy restaurant can make your head spin. Here are some helpful tips for picking a bottle from one of the world’s top sommeliers.

https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/i-asked-a-sommelier-is-it-cool-to-use-a-wine-app-at-a-restaurant/

How Oak Gives Wine and Whiskey Their Character

For centuries, oak has been the winemaker’s and distiller’s collaborator, quietly transforming clear spirits and young wines into something worth savoring. Here’s how the magic unfolds.

https://www.foodandwine.com/how-oak-barrels-shape-wine-whiskey-11845312

10 Old Fashioned Recipes That Prove Less Is More

Simple, strong, and endlessly adaptable — learn the essentials and the small tweaks that make a big difference.

https://www.foodandwine.com/best-old-fashioned-recipes-11844890

Making a splash: what’s behind the surge in Crémant sales?

Sometimes unfairly dismissed as a Champagne substitute, Crémant is stepping into the spotlight as sales surge, reports Amelie Maurice-Jones.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/11/making-a-splash-whats-behind-the-surge-in-cremant-sales/

Because pad thai deserves better than whatever’s already open in your fridge

Here’s what nobody tells you: takeout food is often more interesting and complex than what most of us cook at home, which means it’s actually better suited to thoughtful wine pairing than the plain chicken breast you roasted on Tuesday.

https://www.enobytes.com/2025/11/08/wine-pairings-for-everyday-takeout/

Why Does My Wine Smell Like Matchsticks?

Have you ever poured a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir and caught a whiff of something that reminded you of a freshly struck match, flint, or gun smoke?

https://mywinepal.com/2025/11/08/why-does-my-wine-smell-like-matchsticks/

This Massive Chart Shows Which Companies Own America’s Top Spirits Brands

While the craft spirits sector is indisputably large, it’s undeniable that the U.S. spirits industry is dominated by a handful of conglomerates.

https://vinepair.com/booze-news/biggest-spirits-brands-in-usa-and-who-owns-them-chart/

What Exactly Is a ‘Turbo Guinness?

Guinness is quite possibly the hottest beer on the planet right now.

https://vinepair.com/articles/turbo-guinness-explained/

Newe Bourbon

Sazerac Co. has announced a new Full Proof bottling of the company’s namesake rye. Bottled at 62.5% abv, Sazerac Full Proof will be available in select markets across the U.S. for around $40 a 750-ml. This marks the second new addition to the Sazerac rye portfolio this year; over the summer, the company released a 50% abv version. The new whiskies are the result of the added capacity created by Sazerac’s $1.2 billion renovation of the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Here’s Exactly How Much Alcohol You Can Drink Before Triggering Inflammation

It’s not zero drinks, we promise.

https://honehealth.com/edge/does-alcohol-cause-inflammation/

Barefoot Wins Wine Enthusiast’s Top Honor: 2025 American Winery of the Year

The Iconic Brand Celebrates 60 Years of Uniting Wine Lovers and Demystifying the Category

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/310572

Booze Without the Burn? An Enzyme-Tinkering Startup Aims to Make Spirits Smoother

Voodoo Scientific has developed a process that, when applied to fiery hooch, results in a more sippable tipple.

https://www.wired.com/story/booze-without-the-burn-voodoo-scientific-viriato/

Bartenders Reveal The 5 Cheap Alcohol Brands That Still Taste Top-Shelf

Here’s how to save money without skimping on quality.

https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/kitchen-secrets/a69409712/best-affordable-alcohol-brands/

Barefoot wines from Modesto’s Gallo win top award. Rare release of sales figures

It is the top-selling brand for E.&J. Gallo Winery and for the domestic industry as a whole. The honor was announced Thursday, Nov. 13, in the magazine’s online version. It reported that sales totaled about $555 million last year.

https://www.modbee.com/living/food-drink/article312903359.html#storylink=cpy

Costco Is Facing a Lawsuit Over a Popular Kirkland Liquor

The case argues the bottles’ labels display false information.

https://www.inc.com/ava-levinson/costco-is-facing-a-lawsuit-over-a-popular-kirkland-liquor/91264713

Congress Redefines Hemp: Major THC Limits Ahead for Brewers

Under the new legislation, the amount of THC in finished products derived from hemp is capped at 0.4 mg, substantially lower than most products currently on the market. In addition, the revised definition would prohibit synthetic cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant.

https://www.brewersassociation.org/government-affairs-updates/congress-redefines-hemp-major-thc-limits-ahead-for-brewers/

Global alcoholic drinks volume to see further declines

The sales volume of alcoholic drinks sold globally this year has been projected to decline even further than initially expected, according to the IWSR’s mid-year forecast.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/11/global-alcoholic-drinks-volume-to-see-further-declines/

El Jimador New Mix RTDs land in US

Brown-Forman is bringing Mexico’s most popular ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail range, El Jimador New Mix, to the US.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/11/el-jimador-new-mix-rtds-land-in-us/

‘Little Black Book’ offers lessons in wine

Kiana M. Keys, of Beverly, recently published “Little Black Book of Wine and Food: 60 White and Red Wines to Make Your Tastebuds Blush.”

https://www.beverlyreview.net/news/community_news/article_d6a92ec0-952e-43d1-9e54-4d88184da5df.html

Fans Are Already Raving About Samuel Adams’ Brand-New Winter Ale

“I hope this one sticks around for years to come!”

https://www.delish.com/food-news/a69348121/samuel-adams-winter-white-ale-new/

Surfside Adds New 19.2-Ounce Cans, On Track For 12 Million Cases This Year

Surfside, the fast-growing vodka-based RTD brand, has added a new 19.2-ounce can for select release. The new format covers Surfside’s Iced Tea, Lemonade, Half & Half, and Strawberry Lemonade offerings and carries a suggested price of $3.50-$4 per can, with the company noting that these cans are aimed at the convenience, stadium, and on-the-go channels.

Last year, Surfside grew exponentially, reaching 4.7 million cases in the U.S. This year, the label from Philadelphia-bas ed Stateside Brands, was named Spirits Brand of the Year by Market Watch Magazine. It’s projected to approach 12 million cases in the U.S. in 2025, making it the third-largest spirits label in volume terms, behind only High Noon seltzer and Tito’s vodka, according to Impact Databank.

How Heady Topper Became a Cult Beer

The beloved IPA is a product of The Alchemist, a family-owned brewery co-founded in Waterbury, Vt., by John and Jen Kimmich in 2003. John — who learned how to brew from the legendary Greg Noonan at the Vermont Pub and Brewery — was infatuated with hoppy, fruity, and floral brews, and immediately set out to create one of his own.

https://vinepair.com/articles/heady-topper-cult-beer-story/

Peta highlights 10 vegan cream liqueurs

Animal rights organisation Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has unveiled its pick of the best vegan cream liqueurs ahead of the festive season.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/11/peta-highlights-10-vegan-cream-liqueurs/

Wine’s existential crisis: what the data really says

While some commentators see the current downturn as a temporary blip, the data paints a more complex picture. Shifting demographics, changing values and declining engagement suggest wine’s challenges may be structural rather than cyclical.

Retro illustration with neon purple colors of an app for ordering food and drinks

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/11/wines-existential-crisis-and-the-data-behind-the-optimism/

The Art of Spitting: How (and Why) to Spit Wine Like a Pro

Here is a comprehensive guide to the art of spitting wine

https://www.champagneclub.com/the-art-of-spitting-how-and-why-to-spit-wine-like-a-pro/

Big alcohol faces slowdown as consumer habits shift

After years of insisting that weaker sales were cyclical, the world’s major drinks groups are being forced to confront deeper, structural changes. From the rise of health-conscious Gen Z consumers to China’s low-alcohol revolution, the industry’s challenges run far beyond temporary headwinds.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/11/big-alcohol-faces-slowdown-as-consumer-habits-shift/

Alcohol-free drinks cannot be called gin, EU court rules

Alcohol-free drinks cannot be called gin, even with the qualifier “non-alcoholic”, the European Court of Justice has ruled in a landmark judgement.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/11/alcohol-free-drinks-cannot-be-called-gin-eu-court-rules/

Why Is Miller Lite Spelled Differently From Other Light Beers?

Light lagers are one of the most popular styles of macro beers on the market today

https://vinepair.com/articles/miller-lite-spelling-explained/

Bledsoe Family Winery breaks ground on new Walla Walla tasting room

Bledsoe Family Winery has broken ground on a new tasting room in Walla Walla Valley. The tasting room is expected to open next summer.

https://www.northwestwinereport.com/2025/11/bledsoe-family-winery-walla-walla-tasting-room.html

We Asked 13 Bartenders: Which Bourbon Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? (2025)

When it comes to bourbon, spending top dollar isn’t necessary to enjoy top-quality juice.

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

Margarita tops cocktail trends for 2026

Patrón owner Bacardi has spotlighted the rise of ‘daycaps’ and maximalism as cocktail trends to watch next year, with the Margarita expected to be the most-ordered serve.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/11/bacardi-margarita-tops-cocktail-trends-for-2026/

Seven Things You Didn’t Know About Non-Alcoholic Products from a Compliance Perspective

Non-alcoholic beverages are not just having a moment—they have become a movement.

https://www.winelawonreserve.com/seven-things-you-didnt-know-about-non-alcoholic-products-from-a-compliance-perspective/

8 Of The Oldest Wineries In The US

At some of the oldest wineries in the U.S., you’ll hear stories about past presidents and celebrities who visited, and what makes each vineyard’s terroir unique

https://www.tastingtable.com/2024732/oldest-wineries-in-us/

Nikka celebrates milestone with double release

Japanese whisky producer Nikka first unveiled its square-bottled Nikka From the Barrel in 1985. Now, 40 years on, the brand is celebrating its anniversary with two new creations.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/11/nikka-celebrates-milestone-with-double-release/

Elijah Craig releases Bourbon-inspired cologne

Heaven Hill-owned Elijah Craig has stepped into the fragrance game with Char No. 3, a cologne inspired by the brand’s Bourbon.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/11/elijah-craig-releases-bourbon-inspired-cologne/

Consumer preference for screw caps versus corks

In the modern world there is a very large proportion of wine bottles sealed with screw caps rather than corks

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/11/consumer-preference-for-screw-caps.html

The Four Reasons Great Wine is Expensive

How Much Should Wine for Your Event Cost?

https://www.karenmacneil.com/the-four-reasons-great-wine-is-expensive/

New Bourbon

Suntory Global Spirits has released the latest bottling of Booker’s Bourbon, the Phantom Pipes Batch. The 63.2% abv whiskey is a blend of Bourbons from five production dates, with the youngest whiskies in the batch aged for seven and a half years. This iteration of the popular high-proof Bourbon is named for a series of pipes found in the rafters of Beam’s Boston, Kentucky distillery that Booker had built for an unknown purpose. The release is now available in limited quantities across the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $100.

Lesser-Known Celebrity-Owned Alcohol Brands

Aaron Rodgers’s “CBD”-Infused Seltzer

https://www.newyorker.com/humor/shouts-murmurs/lesser-known-celebrity-owned-alcohol-brands

So, You Want to Publish a Wine Book?

From pitch to publication, sommeliers and wine professionals share what it takes to translate years of experience into a book

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/so-you-want-to-publish-a-wine-book/

Brassfield Estate Winery Opens Applications for the Second Edition of High Valley Volcano Camp

The educational immersion returns April 12–15, 2026, offering industry professionals a rare, in-depth exploration of High Valley AVA’s volcanic terroir

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/310897

The U.S. Beer Industry Is Bleeding Red Ink

You know times are tough when brewing executives start talking like therapists.

https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-beer-industry-2025-q3-report/

Kosher certification planned for beer

An update to kosher standards will soon roll out across Jewish restaurants, catering businesses and events in the US. The move, which has been led by the rise in adjunct-laden craft brews, marks a turning point for the sector.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/11/kosher-certification-planned-for-beer/

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates accused of widespread wage violations in new class-action suit

A former Ste. Michelle Wine Estates worker filed a class-action lawsuit alleging widespread wage violations at the company, according to a complaint filed Wednesday in federal court.

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/ste-michelle-wine-estates-accused-widespread-wage-violations-new-class-action-suit/4FBX4AN7IJF3TDVCDIIT2HQACU/