Liquor Industry News: Weekly Highlights and Insights

Liquor Industry News 02-23-26

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

02-23-2026

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

How Curling Became the ‘Drinking Man’s Sport’

The Truth About Vegan Wine

Bourbon Loses its Charm Overseas

7 Alternatives to Chartreuse, the Perpetually Hard-to-Find Green Liqueur

With its signature bright green color and easy-to-read label, a bottle of Chartreuse isn’t hard to spot on liquor store shelves or bar racks.

https://vinepair.com/articles/green-chartreuse-herbal-liqueur-alternatives/

How to Choose the Perfect Sparkling Wine for Valentine’s Day 2026

Valentine’s Day calls for bubbles—there’s something undeniably romantic about the pop of a cork and the effervescence of sparkling wine.

https://thewineconcierge.co/blogs/news/how-to-choose-the-perfect-sparkling-wine-for-valentines-day-2026

The Refined Shape of New Zealand Pinot Noir

That’s particularly impressive for a grape that very nearly disappeared from the country altogether in modern times.

https://www.vinography.com/2026/01/the-refined-shape-of-new-zealand-pinot-noir

Vinho Verde and the White Wine Resurgence

There are certainly many reasons for the “red shift” to white.

https://wineeconomist.com/2026/02/03/new-white-wines/

Beyond Chianti: A Guide to the Best Red Wines for Italian Meat Dishes

When people think of Italian red wines, Chianti is often the first name that comes to mind. And for good reason: its bright acidity and deep connection to Tuscan cuisine make it a classic. Yet, focusing only on Chianti means missing the extraordinary diversity that defines Italy’s food and wine traditions.

https://villamosconi.com/italian-food-wine/best-italian-red-wine-pairing-meat/

Red Wine vs. White Wine: Which Is Better For Your Heart?

When deciding whether to open a bottle of red wine vs white wine, you may wonder which is the healthier choice. Red wine is known for its heart-healthy benefits, but white wine also contains beneficial antioxidants.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/red-wine-vs-white-wine-11881584

Can Non-Alcoholic Tequila Replicate the Real Thing?

The boom in tequila and non-alcoholic drinks have fueled an inevitable crossover, but recreating tequila’s flavor without alcohol isn’t easy

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/can-non-alcoholic-tequila-replicate-the-real-thing/

Bourbon brings more than $10bn to Kentucky

The Bourbon sector generates US$10.6 billion for Kentucky’s economy annually and supports nearly 24,000 jobs, a new report has revealed.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/bourbon-brings-more-than-10bn-to-kentucky/

The Wine Connoisseur: Don’t judge a wine by its screw cap

While screw capped wines might appear to be a modern trend, they were actually introduced in the United States by the E.&J. Gallo Winery during the 1950s and 1960s.

https://tbrnewsmedia.com/the-wine-connoisseur-dont-judge-a-wine-by-its-screw-cap/

RTD Cocktails Swallow US Drinks Market

Pre-mixed cocktails in a can are dominating the US drinks market, as consumers worry about the economy

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/02/rtd-cocktails-swallow-us-drinks-market

Explore Chile with These 8 Top-Rated Wine Values

New reviews of 90+ rated Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Sauvignon Blanc and more

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/new-chile-red-white-wine-reviews-cabernet-carmenere-sauvignon-blanc

Mexico arrests mayor of Tequila for extorting distillers in alleged cartel scheme

The case exposed the dangers firms face when operating in Mexico, particularly in the tourist and industrial hub that props up a multi-billion-dollar sector but is also plagued by cartel violence.

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/mexico-arrests-mayor-tequila-extorting-distillers-alleged-cartel-scheme-2026-02-05/

New Long Drink

The Finnish Long Drink, which jumped 20% to 3.3 million cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank, is adding a raspberry flavor to its portfolio. The new entry is gluten-free and canned at 5%-5.5% abv. The flavor is also launching in a Raspberry Zero Sugar extension. Long Drink’s raspberry offshoots are debuting exclusively in new variety packs. The brand’s regular 8-pack includes Citrus, Pineapple, Peach, and Raspberry, with a Zero Sugar 12-pack featuring the same lineup.

Sober shift: the bartenders choosing sobriety

With Dry January now firmly in the rear-view mirror, one cohort of drinks industry professionals shares why they’ve chosen to abstain from alcohol for good – and how they navigate sobriety in a world filled with booze

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/sober-shift-the-bartenders-choosing-sobriety/

Spirits sales fall 2.2% in US in 2025

US spirits sales declined by 2.2% in value last year, with only ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails in growth, according to a new report.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/spirits-sales-fall-2-2-in-us-in-2025/

Gallo to buy Four Roses from Kirin for $775m

Japan-based Kirin Holdings has agreed to sell Kentucky Bourbon distillery Four Roses to Gallo for up to approximately US$775 million.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/gallo-to-buy-four-roses-from-kirin-for-775m/

The Bell’s Beer Conundrum

When the beloved craft brewery was sold to a beverage giant, fans had grievances—and theories. The saga says a lot about the industry now.

https://slate.com/life/2026/02/beer-craft-alcohol-bells-brewery-two-hearted.html

Chinese Wine Is No Longer Imitating Europe — It’s Defining Itself

As Ningxia and its sister regions shed imitation and embrace terroir, a confident new generation of Chinese wines is earning its place on the global stage.

https://www.foodandwine.com/chinese-wine-quality-evolution-11893069

The NFL’s Drunkest Fans This Season, Ranked (2026)

Fans of the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Chargers got the drunkest at National Football League (NFL) games this season,

https://vinepair.com/booze-news/nfl-drunkest-fans-2026/

Gen Z: anti-alcohol or anti-boring brands?

Are younger consumers really swerving the booze or are they simply avoiding boring brands?

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/gen-z-anti-alcohol-or-anti-boring-brands/

Cellar Tracker: the ‘doom and gloom narrative’ of wine’s falling consumption is ‘a little overplayed’

According to Cellar Tracker’s CEO, the aptly named Eric LeVine, wine consumption is still in a healthy place, with dry January showing no inroads in the wine community. He talks to Arabella Mileham about the app’s insights and what it says about today’s collecting, buying and drinking habits.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/02/cellar-tracker-the-doom-and-gloom-narrative-of-wines-falling-consumption-is-a-little-overplayed/

Can Wine Save Our Broken Attention Spans?

The act of swirling, smelling, analyzing, and identifying the layered aromas in wine demands your undivided attention. It’s an offline, physically and mentally engaging practice.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/wine-attention-spans/

Dry January drives shift from alcohol to cannabis in the US

As more Americans cut back on alcohol, Dry January is increasingly becoming a moment of substitution rather than abstinence. Cannabis drinks and edibles are gaining ground as consumers rethink intoxication, ritual and wellbeing, writes Kathleen Willcox.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/02/dry-january-drives-shift-from-alcohol-to-cannabis-in-the-us/

Is 3.4% ABV ‘the new normal’ for beer?

Australian lager Foster’s, owned by Asahi Group Holdings but distributed in the United Kingdom by Heineken UK, will see its alcohol content lowered to 3.4% from this week. The brand joins a host of other best-selling beers who have joined the 3.4% gang.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/02/is-3-4-abv-the-new-normal-for-beer/

WE DON’T NEED ARTICLES LIKE THIS

During a time when the industry is having trouble selling wine, why would we want to “disappear” wines that people like.

https://foodandwineaesthetics.com/2026/02/03/we-dont-need-articles-like-this/

Why Publix Keeps Its Liquor In Completely Separate Stores

When it comes to alcohol sales, the United States is a pretty quirky place, as laws about where beer, wine, and liquor can be sold differ from one state to the next.

https://www.tastingtable.com/2090652/publix-liquor-separate-store/

The Supreme Court Is Poised To Remind States That the Constitution Doesn’t Stop at the Liquor Store

Lower courts keep inventing loopholes to uphold discriminatory booze regulations.

https://reason.com/2026/02/07/the-supreme-court-is-poised-to-remind-states-that-the-constitution-doesnt-stop-at-the-liquor-store/

Why Winter is the Perfect Season for White Wine: Breaking the Red Wine Myth

Ask most wine drinkers what they reach for in winter, and the answer is almost always the same: red wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah—bold, warming reds that seem perfectly suited for cold weather.

https://thewineconcierge.co/blogs/news/why-winter-is-the-perfect-season-for-white-wine-breaking-the-red-wine-myth

Does Wine Actually Need To Breathe?

What’s better than enjoying a glass of your favorite type of wine at the end of the day?

https://www.mashed.com/2092324/does-wine-need-to-breathe/

Bourbon Loses its Charm Overseas

The sale of Four Roses Bourbon to Gallo suggests Japanese owners might be losing faith in American whiskey.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/02/bourbon-loses-its-charm-overseas

Redbreast Expands Its Iberian Series With Its First-Ever Moscatel Cask Release

Master blender David McCabe blended single pot still whiskey aged nine to 11 years, then finished it for 16 months in Moscatel-seasoned casks from Spain’s historic Bodegas Quitapenas.

https://www.foodandwine.com/redbreast-moscatel-wine-cask-edition-single-pot-still-irish-whiskey-11902072

How Four Roses’s Sale to a Wine Company Could Affect the Bourbon Distillery’s Future

The sale is not yet finalized, but this well-respected bourbon distillery could see some changes.

https://robbreport.com/food-drink/spirits/four-roses-bourbon-sale-gallo-winery-1237560914/

What Doctors Want You To Know About the New Federal Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

Gone are the old daily drink limits, as the update leans on broader guidance shaped by emerging science.

https://www.foodandwine.com/doctors-decode-federal-alcohol-consumption-guidelines-11902380

5 Jobs in Whiskey You’ve Never Heard Of

With hundreds of millions of bottles produced every year, the global whiskey industry is enormous, valued at approximately $28 billion

https://vinepair.com/articles/weirdest-whiskey-jobs/

One in five Scotch distilleries in financial distress

Data from restructuring firm BTG has found that 19% of distilleries in Scotland are facing financial distress.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/one-in-five-scotch-distilleries-in-financial-distress/

They Say All Politics Is Local. So Is Wine Appreciation
As you’ve no doubt read ad nauseum the industry is shrinking.

https://paulgregutt.substack.com/p/they-say-all-politics-is-local-so

New Whiskey

Sazerac has announced Traveller Whiskey Full Proof, the latest release from brand created by musician Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley. The whiskey takes the original Traveller blend and dials the abv up from 45% to 60.5%, a proof point chosen by Stapleton and his bandmates following a concert. The new release carries a suggested price of $40 a bottle and is now available across the U.S.

Tariffs drag Scotch exports to US down by 15%

Global Scotch whisky exports declined by 0.6% in value and 4.3% in volume in 2025, with a 15% drop in bottles shipped to the US since the 10% tariff was implemented, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA)

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/tariffs-drag-scotch-exports-to-us-down-by-15/

Champagne’s image tarnished by unpunished herbicide deviators

Breaking the law and skirting the cahier des charges remains unpunished. It does however chip away at Champagne’s image…

https://terroirchampagne.substack.com/p/champagnes-image-tarnished-by-unpunished

New Bourbon

Lofted Spirits’ Green River Distilling Co. has added a new high-proof wheated Bourbon to its portfolio, beginning February 13. The whiskey is made from a mash of 70% corn, 21% wheat, and 9% malted barley, with batches coming in between 54.5% and 58% abv. The first batch of Green River Wheated Full Proof Bourbon comes in at 54.65% abv and is aged between five and seven years. The new whiskey carries a suggested price of $50 a bottle and will launch in 25 markets across the U.S.

What Does the Latest Wine and Wellness Consumer Data Say About Organics?

A recent presentation from the Wine Market Council shows a growing portion of the market favors organically grown wines over sustainable. But are producers connecting with buyers?

https://organicwineuncorked.substack.com/p/what-does-the-latest-wine-and-wellness

The French appellation system, AOC, turns 90

The French system has since become a model for similar regulations in other countries (Italy, Spain, etc.). However, you could say that it turned 90 both last year and this year. The law was passed in 1935 and came into force in 1936.

https://www.bkwine.com/news/appellation-system-aoc-turns-90/

The Truth About Vegan Wine

Get ready for a shock if you thought you were drinking ethically

https://themorningclaret.com/p/the-truth-about-vegan-wine?utm_medium=newsletter&_bhlid=e3aedc9f8cea8aab46eca9eac339e64e69929bf0

Heaven Hill challenges ‘100% agave’ lawsuit

Kentucky-based Heaven Hill Brands has filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit alleging that its Lunazul Tequila is falsely marketed as ‘100% agave’.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/02/heaven-hill-challenges-100-agave-lawsuit/

How Curling Became the ‘Drinking Man’s Sport’

This sport is based around camaraderie

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/pop-culture/curling-beer-whiskey-history/