Liquor Industry News

Liquor Industry News 06-29-26

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

06-29-2026

Liquor Industry News

New Products

Can you taste history?

Are Washington wines ‘volcanic’?

Organic Wine Decoded

What’s Actually in Your Wine, and Why Almost None of It is on the Label

Cultured yeast, fining agents, added sugar, and sulfur all go in. Here’s how to taste the difference.

Two wine glasses filled with red wine sit on a marble countertop, accompanied by two bottles of wine, a glass flask, a dropper, and a plate of sugar cubes.

https://thepolishedpalate.substack.com/p/whats-actually-in-your-wine-and-why

21 Liqueurs to Know to Read a Cocktail Menu With Confidence

When ordering a classic cocktail, drinkers can anticipate how the beverage will likely taste.

https://vinepair.com/articles/cocktail-menu-liqueurs-to-know

No Increased Risk of Cancer Death from Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Study

Who’s Gonna Tell The WHO? Who’s Gonna Tell the Media?

https://tomwark.substack.com/p/no-increased-risk-of-cancer-death-from-moderate-alcohol-consumption

When People Say They Want Sustainable Wine, Are They Telling the Truth?

The industry keeps telling itself that its customers are demanding greener winemaking. Research backs that up. Or does it?

https://robertejoseph.substack.com/p/when-people-say-they-want-sustainable

New Bourbon

Barrell Craft Spirits has released Bourbon Batch 038, the latest cask strength bottling from the Louisville, Kentucky-based blender. Batch 038 brings together 12-year-old Kentucky Bourbon, 12- and 15-year-old Tennessee Bourbon, 9- and 10-year-old Indiana Bourbon, and 8-year-old Maryland Bourbon creating a derived mash bill of 79% corn, 17% rye, and 4% malted barley that’s bottled at 58.48% abv. The new release is now available in 49 states at a suggested price of $85 a bottle. Timed to the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, Barrell Bourbon Batch 038 features a commemorative red, white, and blue label.

Beyond the Buzzwords: The Evolution of the Natural Wine Movement

Wait! Isn’t all wine natural?

https://sandraetaylor.substack.com/p/beyond-the-buzzwords-the-evolution

The States That Drink the Most Liquor in America

Wine and beer continue to top spirits in total consumption by volume

A glass being filled with a brown beverage over ice, with a blurred background.

https://vinepair.com/articles/map-states-drink-spirits-america-2025

Bartenders Say ‘Overly Complex’ Cocktails Are Out—Here’s What Everyone Will Be Drinking This Summer

If that’s not a recession indicator, I don’t know what is.

https://www.delish.com/food/a71410804/summer-cocktail-trends-2026

Elijah Craig Is Bringing Back Its 21-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon After More Than a Decade

The limited-edition bourbon was bottled at 94 proof.

https://www.foodandwine.com/elijah-craig-21-year-old-single-barrel-bourbon-11993275

Vin de France gains ground in Bordeaux

An increasing number of Bordeaux producers are stepping outside appellation rules in favour of Vin de France, seeking greater freedom over grape varieties, winemaking techniques and branding. While still a small part of regional production, the category is becoming a vehicle for innovation, climate adaptation and commercial flexibility

Vin de France gains ground in Bordeaux

Coors Light’s New ‘Tallerboy’ Packs 3 Beers Into 1 Giant Can

There’s no need to get up from your couch to grab a second or third beer.

https://www.foodandwine.com/coors-light-tallerboy-canister-11993250

Everything You Need to Know About Johnnie Walker

A look at the blended scotch whisky brand that rose from humble origins to become the number one scotch whisky brand in the world

https://whiskyadvocate.com/johnnie-walker-whisky-overview

First 5,000 bottles produced from Pope’s vineyard

Pope Leo XIV gave thanks for the inaugural vintage made from the two-hectare vineyard located inside his summer residence and farmed by migrant workers.

First 5,000 bottles produced from Pope’s vineyard

10 Essential Bottles of Rosé

Although rosé’s popularity peaks in the summertime, the pink wine’s roots prove it is more than a trendy seasonal beverage.

https://vinepair.com/articles/essential-bottles-rose-timeline-infographic

Biodynamic Wine: Stardust, Sorcery, or the Ultimate Terroir?

The cosmic side of viticulture

https://sandraetaylor.substack.com/p/biodynamic-wine-stardust-sorcery

Why Is NA Wine So Far Behind NA Beer?

A person with dark hair leans close to a wine glass, which has a clothespin attached to it, against a light purple background.

https://defector.com/why-is-na-wine-so-far-behind-na-beer

Champagne growers and houses rethink old partnerships

Climate change and shifting consumer preferences are prompting some Champagne producers to deepen ties with their grape growers. For estates such as Laurent-Perrier, closer collaboration is becoming increasingly important for maintaining quality and long-term stability.

Champagne growers and houses rethink old partnerships

Why China could be fine wine’s next success story

From award-winning Chardonnays to ambitious export plans, China’s wine industry is shedding old stereotypes and building a reputation for premium quality. As curiosity grows at home and abroad, producers are positioning themselves as the next major force in fine wine. Amelie Maurice-Jones reports.

Why China could be fine wine’s next success story

Frey Ranch ballots northern Nevada’s ‘oldest’ Bourbon

Nevada’s Frey Ranch Distillery has released its first batch of 10-year-old Bourbon, which is available exclusively through a ballot.

Frey Ranch ballots northern Nevada’s ‘oldest’ Bourbon

Teremana debuts limited design series

Actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Teremana Tequila has launched its first limited edition design series, called The Craft Editions.

Teremana debuts limited design series

9 of the Best Albariños From Spain’s Rías Baixas

Albariño is a quintessential summer white wine.

https://vinepair.com/good-wine-reviews/best-albarino-spain-rias-baixas

We Asked 14 Wine Pros

What ‘Cult’ Wine Is Actually Worth the Hype?

https://vinepair.com/articles/wa-wine-pros-cult-wines-worth-the-hype-2026

New Bookers

Suntory Global Spirits has introduced the second batch of Booker’s Bourbonfor 2026, “The Milkshake Batch.” This edition comes in at 62.2% abv and aged for just over seven and a half years before bottling. The Bourbon’s name is inspired by the treats shared by Booker and Fred Noe after fishing trips. Booker’s “The Milkshake Batch” is now available in limited quantities across the U.S. for a suggested price of $100 a bottle.

lcohol drinking will shrink in the next decade, research finds

Global alcohol consumption is set to drop over the next ‌decade, despite population growth and rising demand in India, which is set to become the world’s biggest drinks market after China, according to market research firm IWSR

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/alcohol-drinking-will-shrink-next-decade-reasearch-finds-2026-06-11

Light Beer Isn’t a Joke Anymore — and Science Shows Why

Brewing experts reveal how ingredient quality, fermentation science, and modern technology are transforming light beer into a category worth drinking.

https://www.foodandwine.com/light-beer-taste-better-11995399

Why Molson Coors is betting on cheap beer

The brewer is reviving Keystone Ice and expanding Miller High Life to reach younger drinkers and budget conscious consumers.

https://www.fooddive.com/news/molson-coors-cheap-beer-value-miller-high-life-keystone-light/822646

56 Great Reposado Tequilas Under $60

The cheat sheet for stocking a serious reposado shelf without blowing your budget

https://www.tequilareport.com/p/56-great-reposado-tequilas-under-60

10 things to look for when drinking rosé wine

So, what makes a good rosé? Such is the diversity of the category today, there’s no simple, single answer. Nevertheless, Patrick Schmitt MW has listed 10 things to consider when drinking pink wine – including his views on sweetness and ice in your rosé.

10 things to look for when drinking rosé wine

7 Things You Should Know About Rabbit Hole
The Bourbon Distillery Breaking Tradition

https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-rabbit-hole

Organic Wine Decoded

The baseline of eco-friendly drinking

https://sandraetaylor.substack.com/p/organic-wine-decoded

Water, Barley, Hops, and … Dinosaurs?

For decades, beer brewers have achieved that crisp, clean taste with a weird relic from the land before time. Will modernization make your favorite brand go extinct?

https://slate.com/life/2026/06/beer-lager-ale-brands-filtration-fish-diatomaceous-earth.html

What Is Chardonnay Rose? Meet the Pink Grape Approved for Making Champagne

This pink-skinned grape is helping growers combat the effects of climate change.

https://www.foodandwine.com/what-is-chardonnay-rose-pink-champagne-grape-11982908

I Asked a Beer Expert If It’s Better to Buy Beer That’s Already Cold

Her Answer Totally Surprised Me

https://www.thekitchn.com/room-temperature-vs-chilled-beer-expert-23786696

Dry Martini

What ‘dry’ really means in a Martini, and the perfect recipe.

https://www.foodandwine.com/dry-martini-cocktail-recipe-11997380

Former U.S. health official explains why the Trump administration ‘ignored’ a key alcohol study

A study finding that even one drink a day causes health risks was deliberately sidelined by the Trump administration, a former federal public health official alleges

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/former-u-s-health-official-explains-why-the-trump-administration-ignored-a-key-alcohol-study

10 Lesser-Known Producers You Should Try if You Love Bourbon

There are two ways to view the bourbon market in 2026. The first way is through the current lens of doom and gloom, lamenting the slowdown in bourbon sales and complaining about how Gen Z doesn’t drink as much as previous generations, even though data suggests this hot take looks increasingly like a load of fertilizer.

https://vinepair.com/articles/less-popular-bourbon-producers-to-know

Top 10 best-selling world whisky Brand Champions

While North American and Japanese whiskies had a lackluster 2025, there was one Irish player that stormed to success.

A glass of whiskey with ice cubes, set against a blurred background of bottles and soft glowing lights.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2026/06/top-10-best-selling-world-whisky-brand-champions/5 Wine Rules That Deserve to Be Broken, According to Sommeliers

From chilled Cabernet to Riesling with rib eye, sommeliers are challenging some of wine’s most persistent myths.

https://www.foodandwine.com/wine-rules-to-break-11997826

Bag wines, low alc wines, no alc wines.

It’s all happening!

Bag wines, low alc wines, no alc wines. It’s all happening!

This Is Who Chooses The Wine Selection At Costco

Despite having a large warehouse format, Costco is quite selective with the products it chooses to carry.

https://www.mashed.com/2190776/how-costco-chooses-its-wine

Digital influence rises, but consumers still trust people over AI, study finds

New research commissioned by drinks marketing specialist Chelsea Co. suggests digital channels are becoming increasingly important in drinks discovery, but consumers continue to place greater trust in human recommendations and real-world experiences.

Digital influence rises, but consumers still trust people over AI, study finds

The Italian region selling rosé to the French

Maremma is finding success with its fresh coastal rosé in Provence, with one producer telling db it sold 10,000 bottles to the south of France in the last year as consumers look beyond their own back yard for refreshing pink wines. Sarah Neish reports.

The Italian region selling rosé to the French

Coors Whiskey Co debuts American malt blend

The whiskey arm of brewing giant Molson Coors has launched its first namesake blended American malt whiskey expression.

Coors Whiskey Co debuts American malt blend

First Texas Cooperage Opens Doors

Standard Cooperage Offers Texas-Made Sustainable, Artisan Barrels for Wineries and Distillers

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/vendor/article/319239

Embracing White Wine Season

A Red Drinker’s Guide to the White Wine World

https://sandraetaylor.substack.com/p/embracing-white-wine-season

Lambrusco Is the No-Brainer Wine You’ve Been Missing

A great place to start to look for good Lambrusco and its kin is in the hills just outside Modena

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/lambrusco-red-italian-sparkling-wine

Wine Is Swinging for the Fences With Sports Advertising

Is It Working?

https://vinepair.com/articles/wine-industry-investing-in-sports-advertising

94% of alcohol-free beer drinkers also consume booze

New research has revealed that moderation trends are changing the way people perceive no and low alcohol drinks. The data has shown that many who indulge in drinking alcohol are also seeking out non-alcoholic options as well. db reports.

94% of alcohol-free beer drinkers also consume booze

New Long Drink

The Finnish Long Drink, part of the Mark Anthony Group portfolio, has launched a new Raspberry-flavor ed RTD. It comes in two varieties, Traditional Raspberry and Raspberry Zero Sugar, both at 5% abv, with the sugar-free version at 99 calories per serving. The new releases are exclusive to the brand’s variety packs, with Traditional Raspberry available alongside Citrus, Peach, and Pineapple in an 8-pack that retails at $19, and Raspberry Zero Sugar available in a 12-pack ($25) that includes the brand’s other Zero Sugar offerings. Last year, the gin-based Finnish Long Drink grew 20% to 3.2 million cases, earning Impact “Hot Brand” honors.

WHAT IS MOSCATO WINE?

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE

https://moscato.life/blogs/news/what-is-moscato-wine-beginners-guide

Alcohol cancer labels: public health measure or scare tactic?

In the second of our series on the implications of the WHO’s ‘no safe level’ agenda, Tom Bruce-Gardyne explores the battle to impose cancer warnings on drinks, and ponders the motives, whether it is really to inform consumers or simply to scare them into drinking less.

Alcohol cancer labels: public health measure or scare tactic?

Consumers prefer grocers with the better private label brand: report

Those retailers with better products, sharper execution and experience will retain customers

https://www.supermarketnews.com/private-label/consumers-prefer-grocers-with-the-better-private-label-brand-report

Are Washington wines ‘volcanic’?

Yes, no, and maybe.

https://www.northwestwinereport.com/2026/06/are-washington-wines-volcanic-yes-no-and-maybe.html

The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Burgers With Wine

No longer are burgers relegated to just backyard barbecues. Now, patties populate menus at restaurants of all statures, and gourmet versions get dressed up with high-end cheeses, perfectly proofed buns, and quality accouterments. Of course, something as meaty and rich as a burger requires a palate cleanser: wine

https://vinepair.com/articles/burger-wine-pairing-guide

Moving Beyond “Organic”

Here is your regional guide to the holistic sustainability certifications changing the wine world from New York to Chile.

https://sandraetaylor.substack.com/p/moving-beyond-organic

California wineries request US$32 million to fight vineyard pest

Senators have requested the immediate release of emergency funds from the US Department of Agriculture to “contain and eradicate” the glassy-winged sharpshooter before it decimates vineyards across California.

California wineries request US$32 million to fight vineyard pest

Frost and hail threaten 2026 US and French wine harvests

Severe frost and hail have already caused extensive vineyard damage across parts of the United States and France, raising concerns over another difficult harvest year. Growers are reporting losses of up to 90% in some regions, with months of weather risks still ahead.

Frost and hail threaten 2026 US and French wine harvests

Do Pickles Actually Belong in Your Sauvignon Blanc?

Another year, another wacky wine trend.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/pickle-wine

Why European Wine Brands Struggle in the U.S. Market

European wine brands often enter the United States expecting quality and heritage to carry them. The wine earns respect, but the brand stalls. The reason is rarely the wine. It is that the U.S. market runs on different rules than most international producers expect. Below are direct answers to the questions producers ask most.