Liquor Industry News
The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)
By: Mark C Lenzi
CSW, CSS, CWAS, FWS, IWS*, SWS, OWE, IWM*
01-29-2024
Liquor Industry Week In Review
The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)
This Weeks Highlights:
New Products
What’s the Shelf Life of Liquor?
What Determines How Much Alcohol Is in Wine?
Plymouth MA Voters Repeal the Miniature Alcohol Bottles Ban
The Fascinating, Multi-Faceted Sangiovese
But calling sangiovese the Chianti grape is way too limiting for this extraordinary wine grape. Why? Let’s find out by uncovering some fun facts about sangiovese and the delicious red wines that it makes.
https://verovino.com/vero-blog/2024/1/3/sangiovese-red-wine-grape-brunello-tuscany-romagna
US Alcohol Industry’s Worst Year Since 1991
The vast American liquor industry hasn’t been in such poor shape for three decades.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2024/01/us-alcohol-industrys-worst-year-since-1991
Zamora Co. Partners With Cowboys’ Dak Prescott On Volteo Tequila
Dallas-based Zamora Co. USA is partnering with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott to launch a new upscale Tequila brand, Volteo. The partners have worked with Destileria Casa De Piedra in Jalisco, Mexico, to develop the organic, additive-free brand, which will launch later this year with blanco, reposado and cristalino Tequila offerings.
A portion of proceeds from sales of Volteo will support Prescott’s Faith Fight Finish Foundation. In addition to the upcoming Tequila launch, Zamora Co. USA’s portfolio includes Licor 43, Yellow Rose Whiskey, Don Papa Rum, Fercullen Irish Whiskey, Martin Miller’s Gin, Lolea Sangria, San Cosme Mezcal, Villa Massa Limoncello, Amaretto, and Vermouth, plus Spanish wines Ramon Bilbao, Cruz De Alba, and Mar de Frades
10 facts about Americans and alcohol as ‘Dry January’ begins
Here are 10 key facts about Americans’ behaviors and attitudes when it comes to drinking alcohol and how these have changed over time, drawn from surveys and sales data.
15 Sonoma Winemakers You Need to Know in 2024
Get to know over a dozen of the region’s most interesting winemakers who share their under-the-radar recommendations in Sonoma County.
https://www.sonomamag.com/15-sonoma-winemakers-you-need-to-know-in-2024/
Miller Lite to release beer-flavored mints
Miller Lite still wants its customers to enjoy the taste of beer even if they are partaking in Dry January.
https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/miller-lite-to-release-beer-flavored-mints/
How to invest in wine: Pros, cons and what you need to know
Fine wine is a popular alternative investment that has the potential for value appreciation, as well as the tangible benefit of good taste.
https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/investing/how-to-invest-in-wine/
8 Great Substitutes for Marsala Wine
You probably have some of the best substitutes for this fortified wine in your pantry.
https://www.foodandwine.com/marsala-wine-substitute-8424126
US Labels On Wine | What Does It Really Mean?
The dreaded quality loss of the past on long-distance transported wines continues to haunt prices… Without reason. Read much more about the meaning of US labels here.
https://www.rarewineinvest.com/news/2023/us-labels-on-wine-what-does-it-really-mean/
Robots in the Vineyards: Could AI Be a Green Winemaking Ally?
Oregon researchers employ an AI-powered robot to control vineyard pests without chemicals
Languedoc production down 15% on five-year average
A late heatwave in the south of the Languedoc has led to a significant reduction in yields, though producers are keen to stress the quality of the 2023 harvest.
Legendary Napa Valley sign could be moved for safety reasons
The legendary sign that welcomes wine enthusiasts into the Napa Valley region could be moved due to safety concerns for tourists who stop to take pictures at the location.
Madeira Wine Is Surprisingly Versatile — Here’s How to Pair it With Your Favorite Dishes
The acidity in this fortified wine counteracts the sweetness.
https://www.foodandwine.com/madeira-wine-8424565
Canned wine ‘least preferred’ packaging for consumers
Traditional glass bottles are still the most popular format for wine drinkers as canned wine is the least preferred, according to a new survey.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2024/01/canned-wine-least-preferred-packaging-for-consumers/
18 Brilliant Uses for Wine Corks — You’ll Be Surprised at Everything They Can Do!
Next time you pop open a bottle, save the cork — it can make a host of household tasks easier!
https://www.firstforwomen.com/posts/life-hacks/uses-for-wine-corks
What Are the Different Types of Sherry?
A beginner’s guide to a bartender’s best friend
https://www.insidehook.com/cocktails/types-sherry
Leftover Sparkling Wine Is Surprisingly Useful in the Kitchen
Don’t dump out that bottle of bubbly before considering its next life as a vinaigrette.
https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-cook-with-champagne-8425179
Does Beer Expire — And Is It OK to Drink Old Beer?
No, beer doesn’t expire per se. But it’s got a few factors working against its aging potential: Light, oxygen, heat, and time are the four main culprits of spoiled or “skunked” beer
https://vinepair.com/articles/does-beer-expire/
Orange Wine Might Be Trendy, but It’s Definitely Not New—Here’s What You Need to Know
And no, there are no oranges involved.
https://parade.com/food/orange-wine
The Wine And Milk Trend That Had The Internet In Shambles
The #milkandwine on TikTok yields several results of people trying the newest craze with opinions ranging from pure disgust to shocking approval.
https://www.mashed.com/1490560/wine-milk-trend/
9 Grapes to Help You Understand Armenian Wine
Trace through centuries of wine history and almost every trail will lead back to Armenia.
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/grapes-101/armenian-wine-grapes/
How To Tell If Bourbon Has Gone Bad
Are you nervous that the bourbon in your liquor collection has gone bad? We have some tips and tricks for how to tell if that’s the case
https://www.tastingtable.com/1490778/how-to-tell-bourbon-expire/
What Is Chambord And How Do You Drink It?
While a visually appealing container can be a delightful addition to any bar, Chambord’s design goes beyond mere aesthetics, reflecting the very essence of what lies within.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1490118/what-is-chambord-how-to-drink/
Great Britain Just Had Its Largest Ever Wine Vintage. The Implications Could Be Huge.
The 2023 season has been declared a “miracle harvest” in Great Britain with a whopping estimated 20 to 22 million bottles of wine in production
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/englands-2023-vintage/
What Are Absinthe Bitters And How Do You Use Them In Cocktails?
Absinthe bitters are a distinctive, intriguing, and often misunderstood ingredient in the world of mixology.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1489372/what-are-absinthe-bitters-how-to-use-cocktails/
Irish Coffee Is A 2-Ingredient Cocktail That Deserves A Proper Whiskey
From coffee negronis to creative espresso martinis, bartenders are constantly expanding the world of coffee cocktails.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1489277/irish-coffee-two-ingredient-cocktail-whiskey/
On tap in 2024: More Modelo, tequila, canned cocktails, whiskey and non-boozy beverages
Spending on alcohol rose slightly in 2023, but most of the sales growth came from Modelo beer, canned drinks, tequila, whiskey and non-alcoholic options – trends likely to continue in 2024.
17 Best Bourbon And Cheese Pairings
This venture is more than just a tasting experience; it’s an immersive journey into understanding how the intricate flavors of each bourbon can enhance and be enhanced by the characteristics of various cheeses
https://www.tastingtable.com/1489052/best-bourbon-cheese-pairings/
The Reason India Consumes So Much Whisky
The South Asian country drinks almost half of the world’s supply of the golden liquor, made even more impressive given that the majority of the population refrains from alcohol entirely.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1490450/why-sweet-indian-whisky-popular/
The Classic Wine And Cheese Pairing You Are, Based On Your Zodiac Sign
Certain things in this life don’t just make sense together but are better together.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1488853/wine-and-cheese-pairing-zodiac-sign/
Plymouth MA Voters Repeal the Miniature Alcohol Bottles Ban
The Massachusetts Package Stores Association (“MASSPACK”), representing locally owned retailers of beer, wine, and spirits headquartered in Massachusetts, sincerely thank the voters of Plymouth. THANK YOU for repealing an unnecessary and unwanted ban on small alcohol bottles that never should have been enacted. THANK YOU also for valuing and supporting Plymouth small businesses. Unfortunately, a handful of individuals imposed a minority agenda on the rest of Plymouth by narrowly enacting an article at the 2023 Fall Town Meeting to arbitrarily ban the retail of small alcohol bottles. Prohibitions of this nature do not work, because impacted residents buy the banned products in neighboring cities and towns along with the rest of their alcohol beverages purchases. This is what happened in Chelsea to the detriment of locally owned stores who saw 20 – 30% drops in business. Several of them have since gone out of business. A repeal of the ban in Plymouth saved locally owned stores. They are thankful to the people of Plymouth. Locally owned stores sought to overturn the minority-imposed ban with a voter referendum because less punitive alternatives were prevented from being considered at the Town Meeting. What works in place of a ban are private – public partnerships between retailers and municipalities such as what has been accomplished across the state through “Keep Massachusetts Beautiful” and the “Pickup Massachusetts” campaign. Pickup Massachusetts is more than an anti-litter campaign. Pickup Massachusetts encourages citizens not to litter, while also sponsoring and organizing community trash pickup events throughout the state that are implemented, and funded by retail stores, wholesalers, and suppliers. Several of the community clean ups on the Cape are part of the Pickup Massachusetts program. Stores offered to set up a “Pickup” chapter in Plymouth, but ban proponents controlled the Town Meeting and refused to consider any alternatives to a ban. Another solution not permitted for discussion at the Town Meeting was expansion of the state “Bottle Bill.” Bottle Bill expansion incentivizes citizens to pick up discarded items that can be recycled. Small alcohol bottles are made from recyclable materials. Nine bills this legislative session expand the Bottle Bill to include a deposit on small liquor bottles. H3684 (CLEAN Act), H3189. H889, H3186, H3690, H3146, S2114, S2156 and S2104 have all been introduced during the 2023-2024 legislative session to add miniature bottles of spirits to the Bottle Bill. Two hearings on these bills were held in 2023. Ban proponents did not wish to discuss voting to have Plymouth call on its elected officials to support expansion of the Bottle Bill. Consequently, locally owned stores were given no alternative but to seek a repeal of the ban.Sean Barry, owner of Four Seasons Wine & Liquors in Hadley, and President of MASSPACK is very happy for the stores in Plymouth. “Plymouth stores were given no choice by ban proponents but to save their businesses by repealing the ban,” said Sean Barry. “The best solution to generating tangible results addressing litter is the establishment of a “Pickup” chapter and expansion of the Bottle Bill,” continued Barry. Rob Mellion, MASSPACK Executive Director, agreed with President Barry, saying, “It is MASSPACK’s hope that a partnership can be forged with the Town of Plymouth to address all litter. Now is the perfect time to set up a Pickup chapter in Plymouth. We also hope Plymouth officials will tell their state elected officials to support immediate enactment of Bottle Bill expansion. Sensible local and statewide solutions addressing litter will benefit the Town of Plymouth and all of Massachusetts.”
Do Carbonated Drinks Get You Drunk Faster?
The belief that Champagne gets you drunk quicker is something of an old wives’ tale.
Sokol Blosser Adds Nutrition and Ingredient Information to Wine Labels
Sokol Blosser will add nutrition information and ingredients to labels for its entire portfolio of wines over time, with the next new release scheduled for the spring.
Australia’s newest agave spirit has arrived – just don’t call it tequila
The Queensland Dry Tropics, unique terroir, unprecedented agronomy, and a distillery and production facility powered by renewable energy give Act of Treason its unique flavor and character.
https://www.vacationstravel.com/act-of-treason-agave/
Absolut creates RTD range with Ocean Spray
Pernod Ricard-owned Absolut Vodka has released a line of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails in collaboration with cranberry juice brand Ocean Spray.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2024/01/absolut-creates-rtd-range-with-ocean-spray/
Top 10 hot cocktail recipes to keep you warm this winter
Are you scrambling for a hot drink to keep you warm, but sick of the same old herbal teas and instant coffees? If so, we’ve got you sorted with 10 recipes for a hot cocktail to make at home.
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2024/01/top-10-hot-cocktail-recipes-to-keep-you-warm-this-winter/
Element[AL] Disrupts the Wine Industry with First-of-its-Kind Aluminum Bottles
Introduction Shatters Expectations with 100% Recyclable, 750mL Format
It’s all change for Australian wine in 2024
This year could prove to be a watershed moment for the Australian wine industry with “transformational acquisitions” rumored to be afoot.
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2024/01/its-all-change-for-australian-wine-in-2024/
Prosecco DOC Confirmed as Top Italian Wine Designation for 2023
Prosecco DOC confirms itself as the top Italian wine designation for 2023 in both volume and value, with production at over 616 million bottles.
https://glassofbubbly.com/prosecco-doc-confirmed-as-top-italian-wine-designation-for-2023/
Why Do We Even Age Liquor In The First Place?
Even if you’re not a liquor expert, you probably know that the longer a spirit ages, the pricier and tastier it’s supposed to be. The truth is a bit more complicated than that, but in general, it’s true: longer aging usually means more complex flavors.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1492826/reason-liquor-aged/
The #1 Reason Why U.S. Consumers Are Buying Less Wine – Confirmed in New Wine Market Council Study
The downturn in U.S. wine sales is real and substantial, confirmed by multiple data sources and extends all the way to actual consumption.
https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2024/01/16/1-reason-why-us-consumers-buying-less-wine
The One Thing You Should Always Do When Drinking Red Wine
People drink reds at the wrong temperature.
https://vinepair.com/articles/do-this-when-drinking-red-wine/
Could Prosecco have competition from Calabrian fizz?
Beyond Prosecco, other pockets of Italy produce scene-stealing sparkling wines, too – including Calabria
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2024/01/could-prosecco-have-competition-from-calabrian-fizz/
The 17 Worst Tequila Brands You Can Buy
Conventional wisdom suggests that drinking 100% pure blue agave (Agave tequilana) Téquila is less likely to result in a hangover than when drinking mixto Tequila
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2024/01/15/the-17-worst-tequila-brands-you-can-buy/
What’s The Difference Between Alcohol-Free And Non-Alcoholic Beverages?
Before indulging, there is an important difference to note between the labeling terms on these products. Some bottles will state “alcohol-free” while others say “non-alcoholic.” And they are not the same thing.
https://www.chowhound.com/1489882/difference-between-alcohol-free-non-alcoholic-drinks/
What Determines How Much Alcohol Is in Wine?
Whether you’re looking for a low-alcohol wine or simply want to better understand the winemaking journey, here’s what to know.
https://www.foodandwine.com/how-much-alcohol-is-in-wine-8431959
Is Beer in Trouble?
Breweries are closing, prices are rising, and Gen Z certainly isn’t helping.
https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/craft-beer-bubble
What’s the Difference Between Cachaça and Rum?
Knowing how to use each of these sugar cane-based spirits can make or break your next cocktail.
https://www.foodandwine.com/cachaca-vs-rum-8546503
What’s the Shelf Life of Liquor?
From distilled spirits to vermouths, here’s a handy guide to storing your bottles—and knowing when it’s time to let go.
https://www.liquor.com/does-liquor-expire-8431876
How Dry January became a branding event for Big Alcohol
With alcohol sales flattening, the beer, wine, and spirits industry has managed to cash in on the growing ‘sober curious’ trend.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91012502/dry-january-branding-big-alcohol-heineken
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