Liquor Industry Weekly Roundup: New Trends and Insights

Liquor Industry News 01-26-26

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

01-26-2026

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

The Curse Of Low And No Alcohol Wine

Is the Worst Almost Over?

Rocky Road Ahead for US Wine

Major Argentinian Winery Faces “Mega Bankruptcy”

In the first news round-up of 2026, we take a deep-dive into the various troubles facing Argentina’s Bodega Norton.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/01/major-argentinian-winery-faces-mega-bankruptcy

A defense of wine writing

Does an object of beauty deserve to be written about beautifully?

https://worldoffinewine.com/news-features/a-defense-of-wine-writing

Exploring The Wonderful World of Wine Podcast with Kim & Mark

While our conversation covers a broad range of topics, we start with Kim and Mark introducing themselves and their background in the wine industry.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/exploring-wonderful-world-of-wine.html

The trade is ‘cleansing’ but lemonade won’t replace wine

A well-publicised surplus in the global wine trade is causing a ‘cleansing’ of the sector – but consumers won’t ever mark major celebrations with soft drinks, believes industry veteran and Joseph Phelps CEO David Pearson.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/the-trade-is-cleansing-but-lemonade-wont-replace-wine/

The 20 Best Non-Alcoholic Beers for 2026

In the past decade, the non-alcoholic (NA) drinks category has exploded — and NA beer is leading the charge. According to NielsenIQ, the U.S. market for non-alcoholic beverages is valued at approximately $1 billion, with NA beer accounting for over 80 percent of all sales. With the influx of innovation, there’s never been a better time to dip your toe into the category.

https://vinepair.com/buy-this-booze/best-non-alcoholic-beers-2026/

Introducing New Michelob ULTRA Zero Lime

A Refreshing Alcohol-Free Brew With A Citrus Twist

https://www.anheuser-busch.com/newsroom/MichelobULTRAZeroLime

Why I’m skipping Dry January

As a public health scientist, I weighed the evidence

https://www.statnews.com/2026/01/01/dry-january-moderate-drinking-research/

Washington Brewers Federal Lawsuit Challenges Rules on Labeling Cider, Mead & Fruit Wine

Federal Lawsuit Challenges TTB Rule Blocking Vintage Labels on Cider, Mead, and Fruit Wine

https://newschoolbeer.com/home/2026/1/washington-brewers-challenge-ttb-rule-blocking-vintage-labels-on-cider-mead-and-fruit-wine

Canadian Whisky Gets Political

In reaction to Diageo’s latest moves, Ontario takes Crown Royal off province shelves.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/01/canadian-whisky-gets-political

France expands the range of wines to which saccharose may be added

Federmosti to Italian wine producers: make a clear choice for purity and highlight it on the label, or open up to the use of exogenous ingredients that are cheaper than Rectified Concentrated Grape Must?

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/312435

7 Things You Should Know About BeatBox, the Colorful RTD Brand Popular With Gen Z

In the alcohol industry’s current climate, few brands have experienced success quite like BeatBox. Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages have experienced rapid growth, but according to a report from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the wine-based sector is one of the least represented sectors in the category. That’s the BeatBox sweet spot.

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

Sazerac wins partial victory in LIV Golf trademark dispute

The European Union’s IP office has partially upheld American spirits company Sazerac’s trademark complaints against the LIV Golf tour.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/sazerac-wins-partial-victory-in-liv-golf-trademark-dispute/

Did Ancient Greeks Cheat the Romans With Knock-Off Wine?

An article published in The Conversation suggests that the ancient Greeks on Crete may have cheated the Romans by exporting “knock-off” versions of their highly prized raisin wine.

https://greekreporter.com/2026/01/07/ancient-greeks-crete-cheat-romans-wine/

Elton John breaks into drinks sector with 0% blanc de blancs

Legendary British singer-songwriter Elton John has entered the drinks category with the launch of a 0% ‘blanc de blancs’ bearing his name – and db is the first to learn about it.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/elton-john-breaks-into-drinks-sector-with-0-blanc-de-blancs/

US health department drops daily alcohol limits

In its new five-year dietary guidance report, the US Department of Health has removed recommendations that Americans limit alcohol consumption to two drinks a day.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/us-health-department-drops-daily-alcohol-limits/

Mexico’s whisky market could grow 62% by 2034

According to a new study by IMARC Group, the whisky market in Mexico is projected to grow from US$905.2 million in 2025 to US$1.47 billion by 2034.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/mexicos-whisky-market-poised-for-62-growth/

Irish whiskey exports fall 5% in 2025

Exports of Irish whiskey declined by 5% in value last year after the US hindered the category’s performance.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/irish-whiskey-exports-fall-5-in-2025/

Wine Shipping Might Get Another Court Date

Another interstate shipping case could be the tipping point needed for a Supreme Court decision on the thorny issue.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/01/wine-shipping-might-get-another-court-date

Why Wine Education Needs to Leave the Screen

Wine teams don’t need more information. They need physical, fast, reusable tools that work in the chaos of service, not just in quiet moments behind a screen.

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2026/01/07/expert-editorial-why-wine-education-needs-to-leave-the-screen/

The 12 Best Non-Alcoholic Wines for 2026

Beer is the darling of the low-and-no movement, and booze-free cocktail programs continue to innovate, but non-alcoholic (NA) wine still has some catching up to do. Yet, the options available in this category continue to expand each year as brands tinker with new techniques to replicate the nuanced flavors of wine in an alcohol-free format.

https://vinepair.com/buy-this-booze/best-non-alcoholic-wines-2026/

Taylor Swift cameo sparks US sell-out for Sancerre

Swifties have driven a rapid sell-out of a Loire white after spotting a bottle in the pop star’s latest documentary, underlining the power of celebrity exposure for French wine.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/taylor-swift-cameo-sparks-us-sell-out-for-sancerre/

The very long and very short history of barrel-aged wine

From storing wine to shaping its style, Rod Phillips traces the evolving role of the wine barrel.

https://worldoffinewine.com/news-features/wine-barrel-history

Virginia Wine Becomes First to Rank on U.S. Top 50 List

The wine is one of only two named to the list from outside the Pacific coast.

https://northernvirginiamag.com/food-and-drink/2026/01/06/this-virginia-wine-made-the-u-s-top-50-list/

We Asked 13 Bartenders: Which Cocktail Do You Wish People Would Order More? (2026)

Within the vast world of cocktails, there are a few all-time favorites that land in the “greatest hits” category.

https://vinepair.com/articles/wa-bartenders-cocktail-to-order-more-2026/

EU distilleries push for rye whisky resolution

Europe’s rye whisky makers have lobbied for renegotiation over the use of the term ‘rye whisky’, which they were prohibited from using last year.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/01/eu-distilleries-push-for-rye-whisky-resolution/

English and Welsh 2025 wine harvest delivers ‘ripest fruit ever’

After the driest summer on record, English and Welsh vineyards have delivered one of the earliest and most promising harvests seen to date. WineGB says the 2025 vintage combines ripe fruit, strong volumes and a sense of long-earned confidence across the sector.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/english-and-welsh-2025-wine-harvest-delivers-ripest-fruit-ever/

Espresso Martini

The buzzy cocktail that kicks off a night, and caps late ones

https://www.foodandwine.com/espresso-martini-cocktail-recipe-11882941

Why This Once-Popular ’70s Beer Is Now Only Found In Canada

When a beer has attracted a cult following — think Kurt Cobain wearing a shirt with an image of the can, iron-on designs, apparel like shirts and caps, antiques, and even a motion light, you know there’s a fan base that would be disappointed if the product disappeared.

https://www.tastingtable.com/2069167/olympia-beer-only-found-canada/

Wine Gourd data-blog final post, and my farewell

I had my first official taste of wine in 1975 (at age 17) in Australia.

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2026/01/wine-gourd-data-blog-final-post-and-my.html

Boston Beer battle puts unusual provision in Massachusetts’ noncompete law to the test

The venture capital industry fought for years to persuade state lawmakers to impose strict restrictions on noncompete agreements.

https://www.boston.com/news/the-boston-globe/2026/01/12/boston-beer-battle-puts-unusual-provision-in-massachusetts-noncompete-law-to-the-test/

Meta changes sow confusion, concern in wine industry

Changes also appear to have impacted beer, spirits, and some non-alcohol related businesses

https://www.northwestwinereport.com/2026/01/meta-changes-sow-confusion-concern-in-wine-industry.html

Anheuser-Busch Is Selling Cutwater Like Crazy — and Keeping Quiet About the Viral #Challenge

For the uninitiated, the “challenge,” such as it is, is trying to drink an entire Cutwater 4-pack, and filming the results.

https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-abi-keeps-quiet-on-cutwater-success/

EU warns of decade-long wine downturn

Younger consumers drinking less alcohol and a wider shift towards moderation are set to drive a structural decline in EU wine consumption and output, according to Brussels’ latest outlook.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/eu-warns-of-decade-long-wine-downturn/

Why Under-the-Radar Wine Regions Are Primed for Success in a Tough Market

Wine sales are tanking, and producers are shutting their doors. Why are some regional powerhouses (like Carboy Winery in Colorado) thriving?

https://kathleenwillcox.substack.com/p/why-under-the-radar-wine-regions

Is the Worst Almost Over?

The worst is almost over, if waiting a couple of years more for the U.S. wine slump to reach bottom counts as almost.

https://www.meininger.de/en/meiningers-international/insights/worst-almost-over-0

Rocky Road Ahead for US Wine

There are rough seas to be navigated for US wineries and not all are going to make it, according to a new report.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/01/rocky-road-ahead-for-us-wine

This Boston Pizzeria Infuses Its Pepperoni Pies Into a Negroni

The Negroni has ranked among the world’s most popular cocktails for decades now, claiming the No. 1 spot the past four years in a row

https://vinepair.com/articles/boston-restaurant-pepperoni-pizza-negroni/

Top 6 findings from the SVB Wine Report

Silicon Valley Bank’s 2026 wine industry report, which analyses the state of the US market, suggests we are entering a chapter “defined as much by challenge as by opportunity” but cautions producers that “this is not a cycle you can wait out”. Sarah Neish reports.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/01/top-5-findings-from-the-svb-wine-report/

The Science of Vanilla Flavor in Whiskey

Nearly every aspect of the whiskey-making process impacts the level of vanilla flavor, from the choice of wood to the climatic conditions—and it’s up to the distiller to successfully dial it in

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/the-science-of-vanilla-flavor-in-whiskey/

New Knob

Suntory Global Spirits has announced the 2026 edition of Eli Manning’s Bold Pick, the collaboration between the retired NFL star and Knob Creek. This year’s release will be available across the U.S. and carries a suggested price of $70 a bottle. All of the whiskies selected for Manning’s Bold Pick are single barrels bottled at cask strength, with the bottlings ranging from 56.1% to 60.8% abv. Knob Creek Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon, Eli Manning’s Bold Pick: 2026 Batch is now rolling out across the U.S. and will be available for a limited time. In recent years, Knob Creek has hovered around 500,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

Legislation Introduced to Strengthen “American” Wine Labeling

Current federal standards allow up to 25 percent of wine labeled “American” to be sourced from imported bulk wine produced outside the United States.

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2026/01/14/legislation-introduced-to-strengthen-american-wine-labeling/

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OAKED AND UNOAKED WINE?

But what do they actually mean, and how much does it matter once the wine is in your glass?

https://greenskinwine.com/whats-the-difference-between-oaked-and-unoaked-wine/

The Curse Of Low And No Alcohol Wine

NoLo drinks backed by celebs aren’t just tedious. Even if it isn’t their intention or commercial purpose, they’re functionally part of an international neo-prohibitionist campaign against wine.

https://timatkin.com/the-curse-of-low-and-no-alcohol-wine/

How Pappy Van Winkle Became the Ultimate Cult Bourbon

To understand how Pappy came to be the unicorn it is today, you have to trace things all the way back to the late 1800s when a 19-year-old Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr. started traveling across the state of Kentucky, selling whiskey for W.L. Weller.