Liquor Industry News
The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)
By: Mark C Lenzi
CSW, CSS, CWAS, FWS, IWS*, SWS, OWE, IWM*
06-01-2026
Liquor Industry News
New Products
AI Won’t Replace Sommeliers
What Makes a Good Scotch?
Inside Whiskey Allocations
How the ‘95/5’ Rye Mash Bill Went From MGP Signature to Craft Staple
In the early days of the 21st century’s American whiskey renaissance, as a slew of new rye brands arrived on the scene, seemingly out of nowhere, savvy drinkers learned a quick and easy way to determine who was actually distilling their “juice” and who had sourced it from somewhere else: Check to see if the mash bill was 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley.
https://vinepair.com/articles/95-5-rye-mgp-signature-to-craft-whiskey-staple
RTDs up 14% in US as spirits fall in 2025
Spirits volumes fell by 4% in the US last year, but ready-to-drink (RTD) variants soared by 14%, according to IWSR.\
New Korbel
- California sparkling wine label Korbel, owned by Gary Heck and marketed by Henkell Freixenet subsidiary Freixenet-Mionet to USA, has announced a new limited edition bottling celebrating the 250th anniversary of America. The celebratory label is available on Korbel’s Brut sparkler and features red, blue, and gold stars on a white background, with text reading “America 250 Years” at the bottom of the label. The limited release is rolling out across the U.S. and carries a suggested price of $14 a bottle. Last year, Korbel was at 1.06 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
What Makes a Good Scotch?
The Criteria Is Changing
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/spirits/scotch-age-abv
Champagne Sales More Snakes Than Ladders
Champagne has seen some tough times in recent years, but perhaps the sales decline has bottomed out.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/05/champagne-sales-more-snakes-than-ladders
Cavit Wines Returns to Original 1970s Price for 50-Year Milestone
To mark 50 years of bringing Pinot Grigio to American tables, Cavit Wines is turning back time. For one week only, from May 10 through May 17, 2026, consumers can enjoy Cavit Pinot Grigio at its original 1970s price of $6.99 through a national rebate program.
Chianti DOCG set to include rosé among other changes
The Chianti DOCG is preparing for a series of amendments to its production specifications, covering grape varieties, rosé winemaking, vineyard management, and the appellation’s organisational structure, which together represent the most substantial revision to the region’s rules in recent years.
5 Wine Pairing Rules That Actually Work With Spicy Food
Spice has creeped into our cuisine – just notice at the next party you go to and see the snacks and appetizers being served.
https://verovino.com/vero-blog/spicy-food-wine-pairing-guide
The Cork Is Still King
How Diam Bouchage Keeps Reinventing Wine’s Most Essential Tool
California Wine Lawsuit Update
The State Moves to Dismiss
Kids from the Sticks
Defending the Legacy of American Wine
Why Two Famous Actors Waited Six Years to Make Tequila
An additive-free, Valley-made debut from Dos Hombres at a price most celebrity brands will not touch.
https://www.tequilareport.com/p/why-two-famous-actors-waited-six-years-to-make-tequila
US ban an ‘act of consumer resistance’ by Canadians
Canadian wine producers are in no rush for US-made alcohol to return to Canada’s shelves, describing the “tremendous” impact the ban is having on domestic sales. Sarah Neish reports.
Portuguese liqueur producer defeats Louis Vuitton in trademark case
A Portuguese court has ruled in favour of Licores do Vale following a trademark dispute with Louis Vuitton that centered on the use of the initials “LV”.
Ian Somerhalder chats American whiskey trends
“The world is a very strange and quite divided place, but it’s our job to lift it up, to bring the sentiment up, bring the energy up,” said Ian Somerhalder. We discussed in detail key American whiskey trends with the Brother’s Bond Bourbon co-founder.
Too Many Wineries, Not Enough Consumers
Banks are telling US wineries that some of them need to get out of the pool, a new report reveals.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/05/too-many-wineries-not-enough-consumers
Miller Lite Releasing Soccer Balls That Can Hold Up to 12 Beers Ahead of 2026 World Cup
The beer brand is taking soccer fandom to the next level with the limited-edition Miller Time MVP
https://people.com/miller-lite-debuts-soccer-ball-shaped-beer-holder-for-2026-world-cup-11972672
Burgundy Without Breaking the Bank (Sort Of): My Guide to Finding Value
You might not have $812,500 to buy a bottle of wine, but you can still find good value in Burgundy
https://juliaconey.substack.com/p/burgundy-without-breaking-the-bank
US Wine Spending Hits Record Despite Falling Consumption
Rising prices lift wine value as demand weakens across US markets
How a New York Wine Importer Helped Take Down Trump’s Tariffs
Victor Owen Schwartz, owner of V.O.S. Selections, discusses sticking his “neck out” to challenge President Trump’s crippling tariffs, the mix of egos on his winning Supreme Court team and his hope for a “lifeline” from refunds.
Is US Three-Tier System Already Dead?
Whisper it, but the US system of separating the distribution of wine and spirits might be on the way out.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/05/is-us-three-tier-system-already-dead
Penelope debuts golf-inspired Bourbon series
Luxco-owned Penelope Bourbon has unveiled the first three expressions in its new 18-bottle series called Architects of Golf.
South Africa predicts high-quality 2026 wine harvest
South Africa’s wine industry has reported a technically demanding but high-quality 2026 harvest, with producers overcoming climatic extremes to deliver concentrated wines with strong premium potential. Industry bodies said the vintage demonstrates both the adaptability of vineyard teams and South Africa’s growing focus on value-driven, premium wine production for global markets.
Ancient Cypriot grape offers hope for Australia’s wine growers
An ancient white grape variety from Cyprus is reducing water use by as much as 75% for Australian growers while surviving temperatures above 45°C. Producers in South Australia’s Riverland and Barossa Valley believe Xynisteri could provide a lifeline for parts of the wine industry facing rising water costs, oversupply and climate pressure.
New Fresca
- Coca-Cola’s Red Tree Beverages has announced Fresca Hard, a new malt-based RTD extension of the existing Fresca Mixed spirits-based RTD. The new drinks come in four flavors—Original Grapefruit Citrus, Watermelon Citrus, Pineapple Citrus, and Peach Citrus—all at 4.6% abv and 99 calories per can and available in a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans ($18). The new line is rolling out now across the U.S. Last year, the Fresca Mixed portfolio, produced by Sazerac and Red Tree Beverages, was at 426,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
Australia shocked as government slashes wine tourism budget
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reneged on his promise to support the struggling wine tourism sector, announcing this week that he will phase out the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door grant package, effectively wiping AU$10 million from the program.
Inside Whiskey Allocations
Why Only Some Stores Get Pappy, Buffalo Trace, and Other Prized Bottles
https://vinepair.com/articles/inside-whiskey-allocation-system
7 Things You Should Know About Voodoo Ranger
New Belgium’s Wildly Successful IPA Brand
https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-voodoo-ranger
Green River finishes Bourbon in honey barrels
Lofted Spirits-owned Green River Distilling has released a Kentucky straight Bourbon finished in barrels with 100% locally sourced honey
Why Brix Matters in Tequila, and Why it’s Also Overrated
A practical guide to the number producers care about, and what it actually tells a drinker.
https://www.tequilareport.com/p/why-brix-matters-in-tequila-and-why-it-s-also-overrated
Pabst Puts Schlitz on Ice
Places Brand ‘on Hiatus’ and Stops Production
Diners ditching bottles of wine for the table as healthy living and rising costs reshape restaurant habits
Non-alcoholic cocktails are commanding same $16 price point as craft cocktails at many restaurants
Supermarkets Roll Out AI Somm
The AI Panzer rolls relentlessly on, while there is also a ray of hope for US winemakers.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/05/supermarkets-roll-out-ai-somm
New Seagrams 7
- Diageo is launching a new flavored offshoot for Seagram’s 7 Crown, Apple Pie. The new flavored blended whiskey is at 35% abv, carries a suggested price of $12 a bottle, and will be available nationwide for a limited time beginning in June. According to the company, the new release combines Seagram’s 7 Crown’s blended whiskey with baked apple, vanilla, and spiced flavors, and is recommended to make variant on the 7 & 7 serve. Seagram’s 7 Crown Apple Pie joins the original Seagram’s 7 Crown, Dark Honey, and Apple in the brand’s portfolio.
Which US states are the most ‘cocktail-obsessed’?
The states considered the ‘most cocktail-obsessed’ in the US have been revealed, with the northeast region dominating the top 10.
Abstract Ice brings customizable craft ice to on-trade
California-based Abstract Ice is expanding its US footprint to bring its patented ice-making technology to the wider hospitality industry
The Year Every State Got Its First Craft Brewery
Today, beer geeks flock to their local craft brewery to sit at picnic tables and sip small-batch brews — a culture that stems from the Great American Craft Beer Boom that gained traction in the 1960s and ’70s. However, the existence of craft breweries predates that sudden rise by over a century.
https://vinepair.com/articles/first-craft-brewery-in-every-state-map
New Evan Williams
- Heaven Hill is debuting a trio of limited edition Evan Williams bottlings to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The whiskies—all “officially licensed America250 commemorative products”—come with new blue labels with red accents and prominently showcase “America 250” and the Statue of Liberty. The first release is a 1.75-liter bottling of Evan Williams flagship Black Label Bourbon ($25). The second is a commemorative bottling of Evan Williams 1783 ($40 a 1.75L and $24 a 750-ml.). The final whiskey is a higher-proof single barrel bottling, sourced from 250 barrels ($40 a 750-ml.). Heaven Hill has also formed a partnership with the Folds of Honor non-profit to donate $75,000 in scholarships for families of deceased and wounded service members and first responders. Last year, Evan Williams, including flavors, was at roughly 2.9 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
Change of guard: Four Roses Bourbon
Gallo has completed the acquisition of Four Roses Bourbon, marking the brand’s return to US family ownership for the first time in 83 years.
Tennessee Wine Industry Hits New Milestone with American Viticultural Area Approval
Tennessee is now home to four American Viticultural Areas (AVA), further establishing the state as an emerging leader in the Southeast’s wine industry.
Virginia winemakers lose up to 90% of vines to deep freeze
The biting frost that struck Virginia in late April “will go down in the record books”, the Virginia Wine Board told db, but reassured “there is still hope for the vintage”. Sarah Neish reports.
AI Won’t Replace Sommeliers
But It Could Help Save
https://vinepair.com/articles/can-artificial-intelligence-save-wine
Why Screw Caps May Actually Be Better For Wine, According To Experts
Forget what you think you know about screw caps.
https://www.delish.com/food/a71178622/screw-cap-wine-vs-cork
We Asked 13 Pitmasters
What’s the Best Beer to Bring to a BBQ?
https://vinepair.com/articles/wa-best-beers-for-summer-bbq-2026
New Whiskey
Vermont-based WhistlePig Whiskey is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States with two new limited edition offerings: Rye, White & Blue PiggyBank; and Declaration Wheat Whiskey. The new PiggyBank release is a 10-year-old Straight Rye whiskey bottled at 55% abv and packaged in a pig-shaped decanter with a red, white, and blue label. The second release, Declaration Wheat Whiskey, is bottled at 43% abv and made from a “high wheat” mash bill that is double-aged in American oak before bottling. The new releases are launching in limited quantities across the U.S. as well as through WhistlePig’s website, where the PiggyBank release sells for $230 a liter and the wheat whiskey goes for $74 a 750-ml.
Buffalo Trace Is Bringing Back 2 E.H. Taylor Bourbons Whiskey Fans Haven’t Seen in Years
Both bottled-in-bond whiskeys were aged for 10 years and will retail for $80 when they arrive later this year.
https://www.foodandwine.com/buffalo-trace-eh-taylor-four-grain-and-eh-taylor-cured-oak-2026-11980110
Plain talk about how the wine industry is (actually) doing very well
Or, the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain
https://caparoso.substack.com/p/plain-talk-about-how-the-wine-industry
The Perils and Pleasures of Pairing
A group of sommeliers from around the United States, Canada and Mexico spent last week in Sonoma County tasting wines, touring vineyards, and competing in a time-honored contest of skill and creativity – food and wine pairing.
Europe’s oldest vineyards threatened by solar power
Home to Spain’s oldest Tempranillo plantings, D.O. Toro’s ancient vineyards are under threat – not from climate change, but subsidies that encourage the installation of solar panels on farmland.
Trump in trademark war with California winery
A Republican producer based in Monterey is embroiled in a dispute with Trump-affiliated companies over the name of one of its wines as the US President moves to protect his ‘brand’
The U.S. Is One Step Closer to Legalizing Home Distilling.
Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
https://vinepair.com/articles/home-distilling-tips-to-know
New Sugarlands
New Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s Sugarlands Distillery has released Eggo Blueberry Waffle Moonshine, the latest collaboration between the distillery and the staple breakfast brand. The 30% abv moonshine is now available at Sugarlands’ distillery with a national rollout underway. The new entry follows 2022’s EggoNog and 2024’s Eggo Brunch in a Jar Waffles & Syrup Sippin’ Cream, and is the first Eggo-flavored moonshine created by the two brands. While Sugarlands is primarily known for their moonshine-based drinks, the company has diversified lately, announcing a strategic partnership with Tequila-maker Azul Imports in March, as well as expanding Broken Antler Flavored Whiskey to national distribution in late 2025.
Hennessy’s New Pre-Mixed Cocktails Are Quietly Landing on Liquor Store Shelves
Liquor stores have begun receiving shipments of three pre-mixed Hennessy cocktails that combine the fan-favorite cognac with a variety of summery flavors.
Inside the chemistry of the Paloma
Why do tequila and grapefruit work so well together? db takes a closer look at the chemistry, flavour compounds and production choices that make the iconic Paloma work so well.
Why mezcal could be the spirit for wine lovers
Could mezcal be the next spirit for wine lovers? Andrew Maidment, former marketing director of Wines of Argentina UK and co-founder of Zacal Mezcal, tells the db why agave has more in common with fine wine than many might think.
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