The average retail bottle sale in the U.S. is about $10;
What might be more telling is that sales of bottles in the $15-$19.99 range have increased over the past year by “double digits,” and
Sales of $8-and-under bottles have decreased.
That is to say, Americans are slowly but surely trading up. Nonetheless, Thach reminds us, $8-and-under bottles of wine (not including boxed wines) still make up 55% of all wines sold in the U.S. It may be a while before the average American attains an actual Napa Valley taste.
What is ullage in wine and should you worry?
Ullage is generally used to describe the amount headspace between the closure and the liquid inside a wine bottle, but how important is this and what does it mean for the wine?
At an experiential bar in Brooklyn, alcohol is served with a dash of excitement. The owner of Kick Axe explains why patrons are lining up to hurl hatchets.
CANADIAN BREWER FILES TECHNOLOGY PATENT FOR CANNABIS BEER
A Canadian company has filed a technology patent for the production of beer brewed from cannabis, using a method that sees the grains traditionally used to make beer completely replaced with marijuana.
THIS CALCULATOR TRANSLATES YOUR WEEKLY ALCOHOL INTAKE INTO BURGERS AND DONUTS
Three pints of beer contain roughly 510 calories, the equivalent of two burgers, while three large glasses of wine (630) calories translates to eating three donuts per week.
Crunching the Numbers on ‘Diet’ Wine, The Innovation No One Needs
These products bill themselves as guilt-free (or low-guilt) options for anyone hoping to cut corners on the sort of cold-turkey cleanses that can seem to last an eternity.
The US is the most highly prized market for ambitious spirits producers – but which are the best-selling categories in America, and how fast are they growing?
Did you know there are over 125,000 different wines produced each year? Yet your average wine store only has a few thousand of them and over half of the wines on their shelves come from only three companies.
You’ve been drinking wine wrong: Expert reveals the 20:20 rule White wine is served chilled, while red is best at room temperature – or so the mantra goes.
Scientist develops heart disease treatment from red wine
Two antioxidant compounds found in red wine – resveratrol and quercetin – could be used with heart stents in new treatment being developed by a Louisiana State University professor.
The new film, called The Vodka With Nothing To Hide, invites viewers on a “revealing” journey, using nudity as a metaphor for Absolut’s production process in Åhus, Sweden.
4 Reasons Why Long Island Wine Has Never Been Better
By most measures, Long Island wine has never been better. I’m not saying that it’s all good — because it’s not. I’m also not saying that the worst stuff today is even half as good as the best wines from years past — because it’s not.
There probably isn’t anyone who hasn’t at least heard of Champagne, the motherland of all sparkling wine, home to glamour, prestige and such iconic names as Dom Perignon. But Cremant, an often excellent quality (and value) sparkling wine that can be found across many of France’s most prestigious regions?
Concerned about the quality of your bottles? You should be, because not all wine bottles are created equal, as not all manufacturers adhere to the same standards for material quality and safety.
Once your draft beer is served to you, check whether the carbonated bubbles stick to the sides of the glass. If they do, they’re catching onto soap residue or leftover crud on the walls of the glass. It’s that simple.
For a growing number of wine producers, organic is not just a expanding market to tap into: it’s a fundamental philosophy of their business and a necessity for the longevity of their enterprise and land.
STOP YOUR WINE-ING’ SAYS MILLERCOORS IN CAMPAIGN FOR NEW BREW
Big brewers have been lamenting losing drinkers to wine and spirits for years. But it doesn’t get more direct than this pitch for a new MillerCoors brand: “Stop Your Wine-ing.”
The way that low strength beer and wine is marketed could be increasing overall alcohol consumption
The marketing strategies behind these drinks are leading people to consume them in addition to rather than as a substitute to stronger tipples, which could be very damaging to their overall health in the long run.
High-quality Old World wines are renowned for their ability to withstand decades of aging. But if a wine is best young, does that immediately make it inferior?
Forget craft beer. The next craze is non-alcoholic brews
Global consumption of traditional beer dropped in 2015 and 2016. But the market for non-alcoholic beer grew 5% in 2016, according to research firm Euromonitor International.
The new laws expand the definition of “table wine” by raising the alcohol by volume (ABV) requirement from a maximum of 14% to 16%—a reflection, Kaiser says, of the way American wines, particularly in California, are made. The change represents a 50-cents-per-gallon savings for wines between 14% and 16% ABV. Now, says Kaiser, “you won’t see people manipulating their wine to get lower alcohol content just so they can pay less tax.”
Some thoughts on wine quality: an intrinsic or extrinsic property of a wine?
How do we define quality in a wine? Is it an intrinsic or extrinsic property of the wine? That is, is quality something that a wine possesses independent of the occasion of drinking, or the drinker, or not?
In California, elegant wine and weed dinners are becoming a popular trend and you might think that winery owners would be in an ideal position to host such events. But could these decadent pairings of cannabis and fine wine be ending just as they are beginning to take off? In an ironic twist, the same regulations that now allow for legal recreational cannabis also restrict this recreational pairing
It’s no secret that the proper libation can elevate an elegant meal. But have you ever considered incorporating liquor into something other than a cocktail glass?
They might tell you after their ‘extensive’ years of wine-tasting and their expensive vocabulary that one wine is better than another, but here’s a tip: feel free to ignore them.
Some grapes are more finicky, requiring a light touch, a keen eye and the patience to not tear them out by the roots when they call it quits after a slight change in weather. Others, like the dark-skinned Cinsaut (or Cinsault), are workhorses, extremely tolerant to varying conditions and productive.
Need A Substitute For Vanilla Extract? Check Your Liquor Cabinet
You’re in the middle of whipping up some delectable cookies, or some other baked treat, when you realize there’s not a drop of vanilla extract to be found in your kitchen … we’ve all been there before. Short of skipping the ingredient altogether, what can you do to save you recipe?
With just a little bit of time and research, you will quickly discover there are a slew of wine fridge manufacturers available, and each has something truly unique to offer.
Back when the most I knew about wine was the difference between white and red, I was both awed and baffled by the labels applied to it: fresh-cut grass. Garden hose. Banana. Barnyard floor. And here I was, thinking it was just supposed to taste like old grapes.
What do wine glasses and hamburgers have in common?
People have now realized that there are two ways that increased portions have been happening, the first of which is related to hamburgers and the second of which is related to wine glasses
We may be drinking less wine, but it’s better wine
Boomers are buying less wine. Millennials aren’t picking up the slack. As a result, the growth of wine sales is slowing, while buying patterns are shifting in ways that are sending chills down the collective spine of the U.S. wine industry.
Kevin Durant punches ball into crowd, strikes Bronco Wine’s Franzia in the face
Durant realized his mistake and quickly reacted, running into the crowd to check on Franzia, a member of the Franzia wine family and owner of the Bronco Wine Company, the fourth-largest wine company in the United States.
The Wine Country Channel is a new TV broadcast network providing wine enthusiasts around the world with numerous channels showcasing the best of where to eat, stay and play when wine country guests visit Napa and Sonoma.
Wine lists can be an unfathomable minefield of names, numbers and regions to the uninitiated, even to the seasoned pro, so any tips that might help one navigate their way through a lengthy list and to a winning wine are welcome.
Washington state-based Ste. Michelle Wine Estates reported a 6.4% net revenue decline to $698 million for the year ended December 31. The winemaker’s shipment volumes were similarly soft, falling 8.6% to around 8.5 million cases, with parent company Altria citing negative impact from “competitive activity, continued trade inventory reductions and slower premium wine category growth.” The company’s full-year results were also hampered by a challenging fourth quarter, during which Ste. Michelle’s net revenues fell 8.5%, to $227 million, and shipments slipped 9.7% to around 2.8 million cases. According to Impact Databank, Ste. Michelle’s 14 Hands and Columbia Crest brands slowed from double-digit growth in 2016 to growth of 2.5% and 1% respectively last year.
Many of the statistics for 2017 US wine sales are in and the results show steady growth, but with increasing competition from imports and other beverages. The outlook is still positive because it is expected that 2018 will continue to see steady growth pattern of previous years, at around a 2% increase in US wine sales value
Bill that would allow dogs in vineyards passes Virginia House
According to a spokeswoman for VDACS, dogs were never allowed inside Virginia tasting rooms (except service animals) and were only allowed outside at vineyards as of July 2016, under certain guidelines like being on a leash and not being able to sit on the tables and chairs.
The falcons are by no means cutting-edge winemaking tools: The business has been around for decades in Sacramento. The birds are pest control, chasing out the starlings that often nibble through grapes.
The Supermoon could affect the taste of wines and development of vines around the world, but it’s coming at a good time for vineyards, according to proponents of biodynamics.
Wine Lovers Face Increasing Hurdles Ordering Online
Can’t find a bottle at your local wine shop? States and shipping companies are clamping down on shipping by wine retailers, leaving consumers with fewer choices
Dogfish Head’s New Beer Contains the Active Ingredients in Mace Pepper Spray
The beer was brewed for Beer Advocate’s “Extreme Beer Fest.” The event is being held this weekend in Boston, and is described as “the ultimate throw down of craft beer creativity.”
FAMOUS NZ WINERY FACES BACKLASH FOR USING AUSTRALIAN GRAPES
The wines in question are only being sold in New Zealand and all Brancott Estate labelled wines being sold in export markets continue to use New Zealand-grown fruit
Spirits Sales Rose 4% to $26.2 Billion In U.S. Market In 2017, According To Distilled Spirits Council
Supplier sales of distilled spirits in the U.S market rose by 4%, or $1 billion, last year, to hit $26.2 billion, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. Volumes rose by 2.6% to 226 million cases, a rise of 5.8 million cases from the prior year.
Spirits also continued to gain market share against beer, rising 0.7% to 36.6% of the total beverage alcohol market. The increase marks the eighth straight year of market share gains, where each point of market share is worth $720 million in supplier sales revenue.
On the international front, the trade association also projected a new export record of $1.63 billion of U.S. spirits sold around the globe in 2017, up 14.3% over 2016. Consumer tastes for premium American spirits and favorable exchange rates drove global sales, especially to markets where U.S. spirits enjoy duty-free access. Volumes were up 5%.
The top five growth markets by dollar value included the United Kingdom, up $55.7 million to $177.9 million (+45.6%); Germany, up $22.6 million to $123.5 million (+22.4%); Brazil, up $18.9 million to $29.1 million (+186.5%); France, up $15.7 million to $114.1 million (+16%); and Spain, up $14.5 million to $117.1 million (+14.1).
New Hess
Hess Family Wine Estates has extended its Hess Select portfolio with the launch of a new Pinot Gris. Retailing at $13 a 750-ml., the Pinot Gris joins Hess Select’s existing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Treo Red Blend. Concurrently, Hess Family Wine Estates is unveiling an updated package across the full Hess Select lineup. The new package, which features a larger label, the Hess Family’s lion crest and the addition of a “Family Owned c. 1978” tagline, will be supported by a new digital and social media campaign, encouraging consumers to “Look for the Lion.” The Hess Select range ($13-$20) accounts for more than 500,000 cases of Hess Family Wine Estates’ roughly 800,000-case volume in the U.S.
Don’t Judge a Wine by the Grape on Its Label
The word “varietal” is among the most misused in wine.
The Girl Scout cookie and wine pairings you see online are almost always awful. Try these instead
When Girl Scout cookie season rolls around each year, wine professionals watch in horror as their social-media feeds fill with charts and memes that show recommendations from sommeliers of which types of wines to drink with which of these sweet treats
Napa wine industry fights to protect Napa Valley name on labels
The loophole, as opponents refer to it, allows wineries that hold a certificate exempting a wine of theirs from label approval (called a Certificate of Labeling Approval, or COLA, exemption) to buy out-of-state grapes, make the wine in their state and label it with the origin of the grapes, as long as the wine is then sold only in the state where it was made.
There are no two more prominent styles of beers that beer geeks and brewers – both home and professional – obsess over more than Pale Ale and India Pale Ale – better known as IPA – but what’s the actual difference between these two hoppy beers, and how did both become so popular in the craft community?
Four Ways to Increase Your Knowledge About the Napa Valley Wine Region
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) nonprofit association has expanded its Napa Valley Rocks appellation education suite, now offering four different ways for professionals and enthusiasts to learn about America’s leading wine region.
In a study published Friday to Scientific Reports, researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center aimed to discover the overall benefits of alcohol consumption. For the first time ever, this study proved that alcohol at low levels does possess benefits to the brain’s health.
What you need to know about how oak barrels affect wine
Barrels (most often made of oak from France or the United States) can contribute a lot of different things to wine, and not all of them are automatically good.
Direct shipping of wine to consumers surged double-digits in 2017
Wineries continue to receive good news, for the most part, when it comes to shipping their wares straight to hopeful drinkers.
For one, the channel for direct to consumer shipping has grown yet again over the past year, this time by more than 15 percent in both the volume and value of directly shipped wine.
How to find a wine you like at a restaurant: First, know what to say
How do you describe the flavor of a wine? Gobs of fruit, including some you perhaps have never tasted? Forest floor, flint, stones or other things you would never put in your mouth?
Double decanting: When should you do it? Double decanting is the process of decanting a wine twice; often the first into a decanter, and then back into the original – but now clean – bottle. But why do it?
A bottle of champagne may pop every two seconds somewhere in the world, but if enduring assumptions about how and when it should be consumed are any indication, they are likely celebratory pours.
Private label wine is building momentum in the US, thanks to national supermarket chains such as Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Whole Foods taking on the identity as trusted wine vendors, says Brian Sharoff, president of Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA).
When the TTB published proposed regulation 160B, which would close a loophole that allows wineries to use AVA names on wines made using grapes from other states, the bureau was inundated with comments on both sides of the issue
The shameless use of the notion that the wine gets better with age as a metaphor to describe artists or sportspersons who have become more adept with age has rendered it a bit stale and tasteless.
A wine tasting provides an excellent opportunity to sample and compare the differences between wines. While a traditional tasting typically includes a variety of types and styles, a vertical wine tasting includes different vintages of the same type of wine from the same winery.
Spirits giant Bacardi is buying ultra-premium Tequila brand Patrón in a deal that values Patrón at $5.1 billion, eclipsing the Diageo / Casamigos deal by $4.1bn.
SOUTH AFRICA FACING SMALLEST CROP SINCE 2005 DUE TO DROUGHT
South Africa could be facing its smallest crop in over a decade, a grimmer prediction by the local wine industry body than earlier assessments last November, mainly due to the persistent drought that has been ravaging the Western Cape area for months.
Thanks to the craft beer movement and the proliferation of new breweries and beer styles, many fascinating beers of all styles are available to drinkers locally, whereas before, wine was the choice of discerning drinkers nationwide.
Alcohol Sales Dropped 15% In States With Medical Marijuana Laws
A joint study by researchers at two U.S. universities and one in South America claims a reduction in the U.S.’s overall alcohol consumption appears directly related to the rise of medical marijuana laws recently enacted in a number of states.
A rustic Umbrian grape is reborn—and it could be Montefalco’s next wine hope
A quirky heirloom white grape variety called Trebbiano Spoletino has been rediscovered in recent years by winemakers who have brought it out of local family farms and into international distribution.
Spain’s 2017 grape harvest is expected to be down by nearly 20% on 2016, according to provisional estimates by the Ministry of Agriculture, surpassing previous estimates of a 15% decline in the wake of spring frosts, heatwaves and drought.
Economic impact of wildfires ‘overblown,’ says wine industry
The wildfires that tore through Northern California wine country caused tourism to temporarily plummet but spared the vast majority of vineyard acres and had little impact on already harvested grape, said a panel of experts
Wine shipments increase 1.3 percent in the United States
Imports into the U.S. wine market rose 3.5 percent last year, posing an increasing threat to American producers. Sales of rosé wines from France soared 43 percent, while sales of foreign sparkling wines jumped 11 percent from 2016.
The 131 Best Organic Wines for 2018 (Plus: Sipping Tips from Wine Experts)
It’s been a banner year for organic, biodynamic, and wines made with organic grapes. Bottles are winning awards, topping lists, and taking the spotlight.
Is your wine corked? Oxidized? Plain over-the-hill? Learn the signs of common wine faults (and the characteristics mistaken for them) and find out whether to dump or drink.
Let’s Clear Up Some Myths About Sulfites, Wine, and Headaches
If you’re a regular wine drinker, then you’ve probably heard some accusatory remarks about the dangers of sulfite and why you should drink certain wines to avoid a headache. While some of these accusations may have some truth to them, there is much more to the sulfite myth than meets the eye.
In wine, as in real estate, location is paramount. The places where grapes grow best and the variety of the grapes grown are the two most significant factors in what makes a given wine.
This Zelda-themed IPA takes beer geekery to a whole new level
Few things on this earth pair better than beer and video games. Now, to commemorate this all-time classic combo, one US brewery has forged a new Link, so to speak.
Canned wine is here, but can it avoid the down-market trap?
Once written off as a passing fad, canned wine now looks poised to become a permanent fixture of the wine shelf. By mid-2016 its meteoric popularity was apparent, with annual sales reaching $14.5 million according to analytics firm Nielsen — a 125 percent year-over-year increase. This fall canned wine sales were up another 60 percent.
Genome Sequencing and Analysis in the Vineyard and on Your Palate
Now that science has broken the code to examine and explore our DNA, and the DNA of multiple, diverse organisms, there has been a surge of commercial products coming to market that enable exploration of the DNA of the components of grapes.
Prosecco is a big trend right now. The most popular type of sparkling wine originating from Italy. This favourite has been written up and touted by wine experts, critics and self-proclaimed wine buffs alike
What wine lovers must be cognizant of, in reaching conclusions about revered wine names, is that as times change, so do wines. That can make for a radical shift in how wines of the same name are seen many years after various changes are imposed on earlier regimes.
Hand-held device for detecting fake or watered down liquor by the fumes
Researchers in the US have created a nose that can sniff out adulteration and watering down in spirits, fighting one of the most deadly varieties of fraud.
Jon Bon Jovi creates a wine inspired by the Hamptons
When Jon Bon Jovi is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April, he can celebrate with his own French rose wine: the vintage 2017 “Diving Into Hampton Water.”
Is it safe to pour wine through copper scrub pads to eliminate hydrogen sulfide?
Sulfur compounds like mercaptans can sometimes trouble a wine, giving off skunky, rotten egg notes. They are harmless, but distracting. The good news is that those aromas can often “blow off” after the wine sits in your glass or you swirl it around for a while.
Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta has turned Jack Winery into label of love
The basement cellar of his home outside of his native Providence, R.I., is stocked with about 600 bottles; the wines of choice being well-aged and complex Cabernet Sauvignons. Within his collection are bottles from Jack Winery
Former major league outfielder Vernon Wells, left, and Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta cofounded Jack Winery. (Photo provided by Jack Winery)
Lady Gaga ‘Joanne’ Inspired Wine Turns Sour After Official Suspension
Officials from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office have suspended Gaga’s application for “Joanne Trattoria Vino Rosso” because they claim it would cause confusion in the marketplace with a company who has already locked up rights to the term “Trattoria.”
Are anti-cork sentiments softening in New Zealand and Australia?
But things have changed. Now, the quality control in cork production is much better. Screwcaps were arguably the best thing to happen to the cork industry: they caused them to up their game. Cork quality is now a lot better, I think, and this seems to be backed up by evidence from large competitions.
After one of the most destructive hurricane seasons on record, Caribbean rum producers may have to prepare for worse to come. The Spirits Business speaks to some of the biggest players in the region.
Ste. Michelle Unveils Borne Of Fire, First Release From Proposed New Washington AVA
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates has released Borne Of Fire, a new wine brand sourced from a proposed Washington AVA called The Burn, SND has learned. The new label is a Cabernet Sauvignon, and will hit the retail shelves nationwide by March.
Borne of Fire ($23) is being given a good runway for growth. Some 35,000 cases were produced from the inaugural 2016 vintage, and a further 60,000 cases are planned for the 2017 release.
The Burn is an agricultural area located in south central Washington by the Columbia River, between the AVAs of Columbia Gorge and Horse Heaven Hills. Its name is inspired by the region’s early settlers, who burned their fields every autumn to regenerate the soil. The land was planted to vines in 2002, initially with just a few acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. Plantings were expanded significantly in 2015, and while the varietal mix is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, it also includes Malbec, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sangiovese. In fact, Malbec comprises 10% of Borne of Fire, with Cabernet Sauvignon accounting for the remaining 90%.
For the moment, Ste. Michelle isn’t planning additional varietal expressions for Borne of Fire, as it seeks to showcase Cabernet Sauvignon as the top expression from the region.
Borne of Fire will have a Columbia Valley designation for now, but if the newly proposed AVA is approved, the wine will carry The Burn appellation. Ste. Michelle submitted the AVA proposal September of 2017. There’s no specific timetable for a decision.
Ste. Michelle has a long-term contract to develop The Burn’s vineyards with Washington’s Mercer family, their partners of many years. The Mercers farm 2,000 acres of vines in the Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley AVAs, contracted to Ste. Michelle. The Mercers also make their own wines through their Mercer Estates division.
“We have a planting program for The Burn that will take us to about 2,100 acres within the next couple years,” says Juan Muñoz-Oca, director of winemaking, Paterson Group of Wineries, at Ste. Michelle. The Burn’s scale would then be on a par with some very established Washington AVAs such as Red Mountain (nearly 2,000 planted acres) and Walla Walla (about 1,650 planted acres).
The Burn’s microclimate is warmer than most other Washington growing areas, but it also gets more precipitation and greater moisture-retention in its soils—factors that allow for longer hang time for the grapes, says Muñoz-Oca. Borne of Fire is aged in large-format, 120-gallon puncheons made of Hungarian oak. “Using larger oak is about respecting the things that make this area’s Cabernet unique,” says Muñoz Oca. “Borne of Fire’s taste profile bridges the ripeness, richness and intensity of New World Cabernets with the elegance and brightness of the Old World.”
IN STOCK!!
War over planting rights erupts in Champagne
A war over planting rights is being waged in France, where Champagne growers want to severely limit new plantings of vines by rival growers in areas surrounding Champagne’s production zone.
FBI TAKES OVER INVESTIGATION INTO US BREWING EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER
SysTech Stainless Works and its founders Jason and Amanda Spurrell have been accused of defrauding clients who had paid deposits for new brewing systems which they never received.
Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits’ Josh Cellars brand continues to soar, topping the 2-million-case mark on 51% growth in 2017, the company tells SND. Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is leading the way for the franchise, with its volume surpassing 1 million cases on a 38% jump last year. By value, Josh Cellars leapt 46% to $179 million in Nielsen channels for the 52 weeks ending December 30. With that performance, it added more new dollars to the total table wine category than any other brand for the second year in a row, Deutsch notes. Over the past two years, Josh’s Nielsen dollar sales have risen by more than $100 million.
It’s Time For Massachusetts to Embrace The 21st Century and Authorize Retailer Wine Shipments
Massachusetts still bars its citizens from receiving wine shipments from out-of-state wine stores and wine retailers.
Science panel backs lowering drunken driving threshold from 0.08 to 0.05
Most women would need to draw the line at two drinks, and men at two or three if states follow a blueprint by a prestigious scientific panel for eliminating the “entirely preventable” 10,000 alcohol-impaired driving deaths in the United States each year.
WE’RE SPENDING MORE ON BEER, BUT DRINKING LESS OF IT
Total U.S. beer sales exceeded $34 billion, essentially falling flat, with volume sales decreasing 0.4 percent and dollar sales increasing 1.2 percent.
Imagine holding an unmarked amber bottle – your only clues as to what’s inside are that this beverage is one of America’s oldest, boasts an alcohol by volume between four and six percent, and is not as manly as a pint of beer or a glass of whiskey.
Which clue is the dead giveaway that inside is an artisanal, farm-to-glass cider?
The wine world’s new products generally come in two forms. On the one hand, there are branded wines, such as Gallo’s Apothic and Jay Z’s Armand de Brignac, and the short-lived, wannabe ‘critter’ brands that piled into the US market in the hope of catching the slipstream of hits like Yellowtail and Rex Goliath. On the other, there are the officially designated appellations that are being created almost weekly in almost every region with a vineyard.
Cork producers are suffering from ‘Kodak syndrome’ and are struggling to accept that the market has moved beyond natural cork, according to one leading closures producer.
US wine magazine Wine Spectator is on a list of publications banned from New Jersey state prisons, along with the likes of Hustler, Bootyand 50 Shades of Grey, despite being offhandedly referred to as ‘Wine Spectacular‘ – much to the surprise of its editorial team.
Social media can offer oenophiles tasting notes, industry news and a bit of fun—as well as egregious displays of trophy bottles and interminable video tutorials. Lettie Teague finds the feeds worth following
Untappd releases the Top 10 most checked in beers of 2017. Guess which style dominated…
It comes as no surprise that the India pale ale continues to dominate the craft side of the beer industry, claiming 7 out of 10 of top 10 check-ins last year.
Greek wine is especially fantastic because of its great value, quality and accessibility. Though over half of Greek wine production is white, the Greeks also make some beautiful, tannic and luxurious red wines. Xinomavroand itsliteral translation of “acid-black,” may sound cringe-worthy at first, but these grapes produce some of the most aromatic and age-worthy wines around.
The company behind the device that lets you pour wine without removing the cork has a new product
“The Model Eleven, it’s fully automatic, so, for somebody who already has a Coravin, it no longer has a clamp that you interact with. You simply push it down on the bottle and it automatically guides the needle through the cork,” said Lambrecht. The new model also has no trigger, pouring automatically and stopping once tipped back up.
The app will let drinkers monitor gas usage, cleaning and battery life through the new Bluetooth-enabled Coravin. The company’s other models range from $199 to $500 depending on accessories and model. The Coravin Model Eleven will retail for $999
This Colorful Book Matches Intriguing Portuguese Recipes With Wines
A newly released English language book titled Wines & Snacks—from Caminho das Palavras publishers in Lisbon—matches dozens of Portuguese recipes with specific wines.
PicoBrew unveiled new automated home vacuum still for countertop distilling Said to be the first automated home vacuum still, the Pico Still aims make the distilling process faster and safer, to produce spirts in just a matter of hours
The gadget attaches to a wine bottle and features a touch panel on the front for adjusting the aeration level and displaying the wine’s temperature. There’s a companion app that allows you to scan the label of your bottle so the software can provide a suggested aeration time
While we all think we know what goes into our wine (surely just grapes, right?) there are actually plenty of other things being added. Some of those things are animal products, which is bad news for vegatarians, vegans or anyone doing veganuary.
Are consumers growing weary of the traditional 750ml glass wine bottle?
While the traditional 750ml glass bottle is still the dominant wine packaging format, its limitations have led consumers to seek alternative formats, according to a Rabobank analyst.
Zivania is a pomace brandy made in Cyprus from a combination of grape pomace (the solid remains of grapes after they’ve been pressed for juice) and locally-sourced dry wines. It’s believed to have been around since the Republic of Venice ruled Cyprus, and production continued through the Ottoman and British rule of the island.
No stranger to revolutions, Samuel Adams has once again mirrored the rebellious traits of its namesake and crafted Sam ’76, a refreshing and flavorful union of lager and ale.
IS THERE A NEW HAMPSHIRE BEER TO HELP WITH MENOPAUSE?
Portsmouth Brewery, noticed that there weren’t any beers that targeted her demographic. So, with the help of others, set out to create a beer designed to help ease the burden of menopause.
CORK SUPPLY LAUNCHES NEW TCA-FREE LINE WITH BUY BACK GUARANTEE
Closures manufacturer Cork Supply has launched a new line of TCA-free products, VINC taint-free, which comes with a buy back guarantee should a buyer receive a tainted cork.
With recent talk in MA about expansion of liquor licenses this is interesting.
Alcohol consumption levels were down 0.2% in 2017 compared to the previous year, dropping to 17.6 million gallons, or 7.4m nine-litre cases. This is more than double the decline seen in 2016.
Spirits consumption rose 2.3% in 2017, and wine sales were also on the up with a 1.3% growth in volume sales.
However, these positive performances were unable to offset the -0.5% decline of beer, which controls 79% of total beverage alcohol in the US.
There is also a lot of data that show marijuana will also impact sales.
UNESCO world heritage wine regions to visit How many wine regions on the UNESCO list have you ticked off? Here is some inspiration for 2018, with links to full travel guides compiled by our contributors and in-house editorial team…
THIS WEBSITE TELLS YOU IF YOU HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM
Working in drinks-focused industries can put you at risk of alcoholism, but a new website launched by US health officials claims to be able to tell users if they have a drinking problem, and how to get help.
Now, the dividing line for tax purposes is moving. Wines under 16 percent alcohol will all be taxed at the same 21-cents-per-bottle rate (except for sparkling wines, which are still taxed at 67 cents per bottle.
New Study Finds Incentives For Wine Producers To Vie For Competition Medals
The two French researchers matched wine contract dates, prices and quantities of influential Bordeaux-based brokers with the records of eleven important wine competitions to answer these questions:
What is, if any, the impact of medals on wine prices?
While the dark (Piquepoul Noir) and light-skinned varieties (Piquepoul Blanc and the less-common Piqueoul Gris) aren’t exclusive to Arizona — you can also find it in France’s Rhone Valley, the Languedoc region, Spain’s Catalonia region, California, Australia, and Texas — Piquepoul has taken residence in the state’s rugged terrain.
SEVEN HOTELS AND SPAS OFFERING VINOTHERAPY TREATMENTS
Vinotherapy — also written “Vinotherapie” — describes a beauty therapy process where the residue of wine making (the pips and pulp) are rubbed into the skin. The pulp is said to have excellent exfoliating qualities and help reduce the problems associated with ageing.
Campari America unveils ‘world’s first’ smart fridge magnet
The drinks giant has partnered with the Norwegian electronics firm to produce a fridge magnet that allows consumers to order Campari America products straight to their doors.
Tito’s vodka has become the largest-selling spirits brand in dollar terms on an annual basis for the first time ever in IRI channels, surpassing Jack Daniel’s Black Label whiskey and Smirnoff Red Label vodka. For the 52 weeks ending December 31st, Tito’s was up 38% to $207.6 million in IRI channels on a volume of 1.1 million nine-liter cases. Smirnoff Red Label vodka remains the largest-selling spirits label in volume terms in IRI channels, followed by Tito’s and Captain Morgan Original Spiced rum. Total spirits sales generated $8.1 billion last year in IRI channels, on modest 2.7% growth. In volume terms (including all flavors and line extensions), Tito’s ranked sixth among all spirits brands in the U.S. last year at 5.8 million cases on a 40% increase, according to Impact Databank.
New UFO Beer
Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Brewing Company has launched UFO Apricadabra, an apricot-infused Hefeweizen. The 4.8%-abv wheat ale is unfiltered and brewed with apricot puree for a lightly sweet and sessionable beer. Apricadabra is the brand’s newest seasonal release and will be available through March. The beer is out now on draft, in six-packs of 12-ounce cans and bottles, and in UFO’s Jet Pack spring sampler 12-pack. The Massachusetts Bay Brewing Company—known for its Harpoon brand—is the 19th largest craft brewery in the U.S., according to the Brewers Association.
Craft beer is becoming the wine of New England by redefining ‘terroir’
After analyzing in-depth interviews with 18 New England craft brewers, we have found that they are creating a regional industry here with the kind of local roots that many people associate more readily with wine than beer
Former baseball player Kevin Youkilis has another hit with beer
Kevin Youkilis, an infielder who won two World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox during a 10-year Major League Baseball career, wants to become known as much for his IPA as his OBP (on-base percentage).
Attitudes toward merlot suffered after Miles Raymond proclaimed, “I’m not drinking any f—ing merlot!” in the film, “Sideways.” Need we be reminded that merlot is a major grape in the famed Bordeaux blends, adding flavor and texture that is pleasing to most palates.
What your favorite cravings are REALLY doing to your skin
We may love a glass of an evening, but wine can cause lines and redness, droopy eyelids, enlarge pores, deep folds around the nose and dehydrated skin.
How to get the most out of your wine-drinking experiences in 2018
Below are some reminders on how to get the most out of your wine-drinking experiences — from serving at the proper temperatures and partnering with a simpatico acquisition adviser, to calibrating your mind for optimal bliss and BYO-ing like a certified PRO.
How to Conquer a Wine Shop (and Tips for Finding the Best Deals)
Curious about how to find hidden gems and get best bargains the next time you’re shopping for wine or spirits? Let an insider be your guide to retail therapy.
Wine writer Amanda Barnes has produced a documentary film about the wine harvest in Tunisia which tells the story of the culture through the prism of wine.
Creating the Market for Organic Wine: Sulfites, Certification, and Green Values
Certified organic wine remains a tiny percentage of the global wine market. This paper provides a case study of failed new category creation, analyzing the challenges for the organic wine market over time, including overcoming an initial reputation for quality, wines being labeled with multiple names (“organic,” “biodynamic,” “natural”), and competing certification schemes.
FRENCH COUNT SUES CHAMPAGNE BRAND OVER HIRING OF EX-PORN STAR
A descendent of the Charles de Cazanove Champagne dynasty is preparing to take the owner of his family’s former Champagne house to court over its decision to hire an ex-porn star as its newest ambassador.
The Jim Beam American Stillhouse will be the subject of a paranormal investigation by ghosthunters in an episode of Paranormal Lockdown, set to air on Destination America later this year.
MillerCoors is extending its Henry’s Hard Soda brand with a new Lemon Lime flavor. Launching nationally next week in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles, Henry’s Hard Lemon Lime is a new year-round offering in the brand portfolio alongside the existing Orange and Grape flavors. The 4.2%-abv extension joins the lineup as Henry’s Ginger Ale and Cherry Cola expressions are set to depart. The launch of Lemon Lime will be backed by a national ad campaign including TV, digital and out-of-home components.
Tell Me Your New Year’s Resolution; I’ll Give You a Wine to Try
An easy guide to discovering new wines while bettering your 2018 self
Your resolution: Do more for your community. No matter where you are, drink local. You’ll be supporting the small businesses and farms in your area while also discovering a product you might not have gravitated toward otherwise. This goes for wine, but also beer, cider, spirits and much more.
How to Use Your Favorite Wine to Find the Perfect Tea
You Should Be Aging Your White Wine
AND MORE!
Mass. alcohol laws need massive rewrite, task force concludes
The price of beer, wine, and liquor in Massachusetts would increase, but unpopular restrictions on the sale of alcohol would go away, under a radical proposed overhaul of the state’s byzantine booze laws that’s expected to be unveiled by a government-appointed task force .
Wine producing regions such as Tuscany and Napa Valley already make for enjoyable vacation destinations, but with a little planning you can get even more from your trip.
How to Use Your Favorite Wine to Find the Perfect Tea
Like wine, tea has varying levels of tannins and fruitiness. Whether a fan of bold Shiraz or more delicate white wines, the perfect leaves are out there.
Vermont Wants To Crack Down On Bootleggers Bringing Cheaper Liquor From New Hampshire
Prohibition might have been repealed in 1933, but modern-day bootleggers are still sidestepping state liquor laws. Now Vermont officials want heavier penalties for people trafficking booze from neighboring New Hampshire.
Believed to have been around since the Middle Ages, the grape also doesn’t have a typical style. It can broadly be cast into two categories: that redolent of a Pinot Noir, or that similar to a bold Zinfandel.
Size (And Sound) Matters When It Comes To Bubbles In Your Sparkling Wine
Oenophiles have debated the most desirable characteristics of bubbles in champagne and sparkling wines for centuries, with most purists swearing that the smaller the bubble, the better the wine. But up until recently, few thought to listen to the bubbles themselves for answers.
The 12 best wine bargains of 2017 are cheap without tasting like it
With all the wines on the shelves vying for your attention when you walk into a wine store. how do you choose which one to take home for dinner? A catchy name or pretty label stands out. A heavy bottle looks and feels important. But you wouldn’t be wrong to wonder whether the money you shell out for that wine might be paying for that designer label or studly bottle, rather than the juice inside.
FIVE WINTER CHEESES (AND THE WINE TO PAIR THEM WITH)
Winter is the perfect time to enjoy cheese that is rich and buttery, fruity, hard and well-aged, rather than the light, airy varieties better matched to warmer days.
Uber-style app offers designated driver for your own car
One app called DRYVER targets people who don’t want to leave their car in a parking lot overnight and have to find a ride to pick it up the next morning.
CRAFT BREWERS PREDICT THE BIGGEST BEER TRENDS FOR 2018
With 83 percent of drinking-age Americans now living within 10 miles of a brewery—another statistic per the Brewer Association’s annual Craft Beer in Review report—the most important question stateside beer lovers will have to face in 2018 might be: Uber or Lyft?
A Toast to the Wine Producers of the Tennessee River Valley- Growing a New Economy for Appalachia
TheTennessee River Valleyis home to multiple award winning wineries that are primarily small family owned start-ups investing in the wine and cider industry. The Tennessee River Valley Council toasts the impact of the vintners who are providing measurable benefits in revitalizing the economies of rural Appalachian communities and are conserving the cultural heritage of the region
Bubbles beyond Champagne: 10 sparkling wine regions
Pop, sigh, fizz. The stats are in: Americans love bubbles, having embraced them not only for celebrations but as a year-round drink. Last year, for example, sparkling wine sales in the U.S. grew by 25%
Zinfandel has prospered in California for over 150 years. Zinfandel vines are hearty and thrive in warm, mild climates, as the grapes will shrivel in hot weather
If you’re a calorie-conscious wine lover, you’ve probably stumbled upon “skinny” wines. They claim to provide the same delicious beverage without all those pesky calories. But are the calorie savings worth the compromise?
A Marlborough wine company believes it is the first in New Zealand to use granite wine tanks, a fitting tribute to the stonemason heritage of its founding family.
Sample sizes, and the supposed wine differences between women and men
We have seen a number of web discussions this year about the ostensible differences between males and females when it comes to sensory perception, particularly the tasting of wine
BOURBON BARREL-AGED WINE IS A GIMMICK BORN OUT OF NECESSITY
Bourbon barrel-aged wine has boomed since its introduction in 2014. Recently, California-based wineries such as Robert Mondavi, Fetzer Vineyards, and Apothic Wines have joined the trend.
Why Slovenian wines — which rival the ones from Italy and France — have long been overlooked
You’re heading to a dinner party and stop at the liquor store to pick up some wine. There’s a bottle from Italy and a bottle from Slovenia on the shelf — which one do you choose?
Maison Louis Jadot was founded in 1859 as a negociant house; acquisitions of famed Burgundy vineyards such as Corton Charlemagne and Chevalier Montrachet Les Demoiselles took place under the direction of Louis Jean Baptiste Jadot after 1900
How to handle a faulty cage on a bottle of sparkling wine?
As any wine pro should be able to tell you, it takes six turns to remove the cage from a bottle of sparkling wine. But occasionally (rarely though it does happen), the wire will break before the cage can be removed.
“Welch’s Grape Jelly with Alcohol”: How Trump’s Horrific Wine Became the Ultimate Metaphor for His Presidency
After the deadly Charlottesville riots, Donald Trump responded by . . . plugging his family winery in Virginia. Aided by an expert oenophile, the author takes the bait—and tastes the pain.
HOW TO IMPRESS YOUR WINE NERD IN-LAWS OVER THE HOLIDAYS
Now, on to a common holiday headache: Your sister’s new husband (or insert any family member here) is quite the wine connoisseur and he’ll be in attendance
For the record, Washington has less than 25 percent market share. That means that for every case of wine purchased in the state, nine bottles are from California, France, Italy and Australia.
How New Hampshire’s Liquor Stores Became Must-Visit Travel Destinations
In addition to the stores’ tax-free status and mammoth inventories, New Hampshire has invested in an advertising pilot program, public relations, and education outreach efforts. The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) even hosts an annual Distillery Showcase spirits tasting, along with ancillary events like a splashy dinner featuring a flight of Pappy Van Winkle bourbons and (new this year) a Bourbon & Chocolate pairing experience.
The Pop Culture “Wine Mom” Is Hilarious, Relatable — and a Giant Red Flag
Although the ritual of a nightly glass of wine isn’t in itself automatically detrimental, it does speak to a broader issue: Drinking among moms is increasing, and joking about it undermines the problem.
NASCAR superstar and winery owner Danica Patrick talks about how producing an exceptional bottle of wine and succeeding at racing cars are not so different.
The success of their wine and spirits ventures don’t always reach the same lofty heights as their all-star careers, but that hasn’t stopped another slew of famous faces from launching a drinks brand in 2017.
Will Consumers Pay More for Sustainably Certified Wine?
A 2017 survey conducted at Sonoma State University Wine Business Institute with 301 wine consumers illustrates a willingness to pay several dollars more per bottle for “green” certified wines.
The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) has partnered with chefs and sommeliers to develop a first-of-its-kind Cognac and food pairing app.
EU COURT SAYS ALDI CAN KEEP ITS ‘CHAMPAGNE SORBET’
A five-year battle over a Champagne sorbet has finally been settled, with the European Court of Justice ruling in favour of Aldi after the Comité Champagne tried to ban the supermarket from using the term ‘Champagner’ on its label.
Wine tasting visitors choose location, experience first
The largest percentage of survey respondents, 41 percent, ranked social media as the place where they first learn about a new winery tasting experience. Additionally, 56 percent said that when they see information about an unfamiliar wine tasting experience in their social media newsfeed, they are “likely” or “very likely” to click on the post to get more information.
Looking back on the new or newly-packaged beers of the year, we found these 25 to stand out as the most interesting, innovative and well-executed of the field.
Serve Wine And Cheese Like A Pro With This Expert Cheat Sheet
From prosecco to pinot noir, Gouda to goat’s cheese — there’s nothing better than a host or hostess who can deliver next-level entertaining with a great array of choices for every palate, occasion, and budget. All it takes is a little planning (and our expert cheat sheet, below) to curate your platters like a true sophisticate.
Millennials consume almost half of all wine in the U.S.
According to the study, millennials “drink 32 percent of spirits,” “35 percent of the beer,” and “42 percent of the wine” in the U.S., even though millennials comprise only one-quarter of adults over 21 in the U.S.
As Americans, we are used to drinking soda, beer, sparkling water, even hard cider from cans. In emergencies, when you need to slake your thirst, fine. But please, if you want to enjoy your wine, pour it into a glass. Or at least a plastic cup when you’ve hiked up a mountain and want to have a celebratory toast before staggering back down.
Champagne vs. sparkling wine: Everything you need to know
Champagne and sparkling wines (there is a difference) are no longer relegated to holidays, anniversaries and weddings; Americans are increasing their consumption of bubbles year-round. That said, 20 percent of all sales of sparkling wine and champagne occur in the last four weeks of the year
Chinese businesses have been keen to take a sip of this success, producing a total of 11.37 million hectoliters (a hectoliter is 100 liters) of wine in 2016, according to data cited by wineinfo.com, a Chinese wine industry news portal. This makes China one of the world’s top 10 wine-producing countries by volume.
One thing you didn’t know your Amazon Echo could do
Order dinner and pair a great wine
Alexa also orders dinner for your human family from skills like GrubHub, Amazon Restaurants, Domino’s, and Pizza Hut. Add in the MySomm skill and it turns Alexa into Wine Gal, your personal wine sommelier that can give you wine recommendations for your meals. Enable the skill through the app or online and then say, “Alexa, ask Wine Gal to recommend a wine for pumpkin pie
Getting to Know Cava’s New Category
Spain’s budget-friendly designation gets a luxury upgrade with super-premium sparklers
Independent wine stores, which were more likely to stock our wines, are also in trouble. The landscape is changing. Wine is being sold direct to the consumer via a screen, no longer being hand sold.
t’s time to chill some bottles and get your flutes ready. Whether you’re entertaining guests, celebrating special occasions, or simply relaxing at home with loved ones, sparkling wine is always a good idea.
simple 5-ingredient beverage made in less than 5 minutes. It requires only red wine, cran-apple juice, orange juice, ginger beer (or strong ginger ale) and vanilla extract.
All good things come to an end. In the 1980s, the Champenois called time on the saucer-shaped coupe erroneously said to have been modeled on Marie Antoinette’s breast. Now they have decreed that the Champagne flute has to go. They want to reduce the world’s most famous wine’s association with celebration and move it into the all-kinds-of-occasions category. And since the flute signals ‘special occasion’ like nothing else, it needs to be replaced.
This startup figured out how to make wine that’s naturally blue — here’s how they do it
Spanish startup Gik Live! make wine that’s naturally neon blue. They extract a pigment from the skin of the red grape (called anthocyanin) which gives the neon blue hue.
Here’s what you need to know about champagne (and other sparkling wines) before you buy
All that sparkles is not champagne. You may be forgiven for passing off a cheaper fizz as champagne at your holiday party — I, for one, will not reject your hospitality. And there are some sparkling wines from around the world that reach champagne levels in quality.
How to order wine like a pro at an Italian restaurant
If you are used to drinking American West Coast wines, Italian wine varietals might be a new game for you. With so many varietals offered, it can also be overwhelming.
THESE CHEESES ARE MADE WITH ALCOHOL AND YOU NEED TO TRY THEM RIGHT NOW
You know that old saying, “have your champagne and eat it, too?” No? Well, get familiar with it, because we have a groundbreaking round up of cheeses that are made with booze, inspired by a certain pink Prosecco cheese that you’ve probably seen all over the Internet.
Lady Gaga Getting Ready to Uncork Some New Wines Inspired By Family Eatery
Reps for Gaga filed documents to lock up the rights for “Joanne Trattoria Vino Blanco” and “Joanne Trattoria Vino Rossa,” which is Italian for white/red wine.
Beware an online gift exchange scheme called the secret wine bottle exchange where users are met with a claim that if you buy a $15 bottle of wine and send it to a “secret wine lover” you can get anywhere from six to 36 bottles of wine in exchange. Sound too good to be true? It is
How To Fix Wine Stained Lips After A Glass Of Red Wine
It’s a situation that can be as unsightly as it is embarrassing: You’ve enjoyed a few glasses of a good Merlot and it shows all over your lips and teeth.
A New York brewery has halted production of its Beyoncé-inspired German pilsner ‘Bieryonce’ after receiving a cease and desist letter from the superstar’s lawyers.
Major alleged fake Bordeaux investigation causes stir in Bordeaux
According to French publication Vitisphere, however, 700 hl of Languedoc wine was transformed into Pomerol; 600 hl into Margaux; 350 hl into Pauillac and a further 100 hl into Saint-Julien wine, between 2012 and 2014.
How Technology Is Affecting What And How You Drink.
Some of the interesting new technologies that affect the drinks many of us start and occasionally and responsibility end our days with: coffee, wine and water.
There is a great energy in Armenia, with new wineries, wine bars, and wine shops popping up everywhere, many of them owned by Armenians who, returning from abroad, are investing heavily in the renaissance,
Calif craft beer sets new record, grows 14% to 900 breweries
Amarone Wine Turns Raisins Into Gold
Amarone wine or as it’s officially named, Amarone della Valpolicella, is one of those wines that you buy and sit on and pray your marriage stays together long enough so that you can drink it on your 20th anniversary
Winemakers Worry Wildfires Will Leave Whiff Of Ashtray In Their Wine
While California’s 2017 grapes have been safely harvested already, winemakers around the world are wary about a threat that is growing along with the frequency of wildfires: smoke taint.
The national body for the English and Welsh wine industry has announced its new official name today: Wines of Great Britain, although it will use the shortened ‘WineGB’ in all its communications.
ALCOHOL WILL ‘DISAPPEAR’ WITHIN A GENERATION, CLAIMS SCIENTIST
A neuropsycho pharmacologist, and the UK’s former chief drugs officer, believes traditional alcohol will disappear from Western societies “within a generation” and replaced with healthier alternatives, with a younger generation increasingly shunning booze.
Today, 83% of the population lives within 10 miles of a local brewery, meaning that the positive impact of breweries is being felt in communities all over the country
A PLASTIC CORK WHICH MAKES PRODUCING FIZZ AT HOME ‘EASY’ IS LAUNCHING ON KICKSTARTER — HERE’S HOW IT WORKS
A tech-savvy oenophile has invented a cork which he claims reduces the level of skill required to make fizz — paving the way for a boom in bottle-fermented wine production at home.
New Study Suggests Letting Your Child Sip Alcohol Does Not Predict But Increases Risk of Alcohol-Related Problems As A Young Adult
A new study has been published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, aimed to examine the associations between early sipping with the frequency and quantity of alcohol use in late adolescence/early adulthood, as well as associations with alcohol-related problems, behavior, attitudes, and family/peer practices/behaviors.
Education helps keep US underage drinking levels low
Greater parental education has helped maintain lower levels of underage alcohol consumption in the US following “dramatic declines” over the last two decades, a government study shows.
U.S. WINE SALES BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S EVE GENERATE MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN SALES
As consumers deck the halls and fill their pantries with items for their holiday feasts, they’re also filling their liquor cabinets, wine racks and beer fridges with their favorite adult libations
The World’s Biggest Wine Drinkers 2017 (it’s not where you think)
It turns out that Norfolk Island (where?!) has the highest wine expenditure. At only 14 square miles, this tiny island isn’t even visible on Google Maps unless you zoom in a lot. It sits to the east of Australia and a little bit north of New Zealand.
Kim Crawford Looks To Expand Beyond Sauvignon Blanc
Constellation’s Kim Crawford—the third-largest above-$14 wine brand in the U.S.—has recorded another year of torrid growth, with total production rising to about 1.6 million cases for 2017. In the U.S. market, the brand is on pace to rise 13% to 1.3 million cases this year, according to Impact Databank. The strong growth is being driven largely by Kim Crawford’s core Sauvignon Blanc ($18 a 750-ml.), whose production is currently at about 1.2 million cases.
Lohr Reaches 1.5 Million Cases And Keeps ClimbingJ. Lohr Vineyards & Wines continues to carve out steady growth in the premium California wine segment, bolstered by an array of offerings from Paso Robles, Monterey and Napa Valley. With volume now at around 1.53 million cases—up about 3% this year—the company is looking to increase its on-premise profile and premiumize by growing its higher-priced Vineyard Series of wines.
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 312 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Parenting, Wine, and Playful Rhymes 🍷 Grab a glass and settle in! In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with the witty and insightful Danielle Frank, author […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 311 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! The Liquid Jazz Experience with Inventor Michael Fors In this episode, Kim and Mark dive into the art of aeration with Michael Fors, a Massachusetts-based wine inventor and the creator of The Liquid Jazz Experience. […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 310 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Uncorking a New Way to Learn with Mistral Wine Cards In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with Seth Cysewski, the visionary founder and inventor of Mistral […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 309 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Decoding Non-Alcoholic Wine with Rachel Martin Get ready for groundbreaking wine education on The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) as Kim and Mark host Rachel Martin, the visionary Founder and CEO of Oceano Wines ( […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 308 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Talking Whiskey With Colonel Craig Duncan Grab a glass 🥃 and join us for a very special episode as Kim and Mark take their first deep dive into the world of whiskey! We're thrilled to […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 307 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Wine Social Media Star Kelly Axelrad Dive into a fascinating episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) as hosts Kim and Mark sit down with the powerhouse wine entrepreneur and social media superstar, Kelly […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 306 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! A Spirited Sip with a Wine Maverick Raymond Blake Join hosts Kim and Mark on as they uncork a fantastic conversation with acclaimed Irish wine author, Raymond Blake. In this spirited episode, Raymond takes us […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 305 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! All Things Bubbly For New Years Bubbly Bonanza! 🍾 Join your hosts, the effervescent Kim, the Bubbly Queen, and Mark, for the last show of 2025, where they pop the cork on a year of […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 304 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Holiday/Christmas Songs Paired With Wine Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! Get ready to deck the halls and pour the wine with hosts Kim and Mark in this festive holiday special of The Wonderful World of […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 303 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Get ready for a Thanksgiving episode that's anything but ordinary! The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) hosts Kim and Mark are celebrating a classic: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving! Ever wondered what wine […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 302 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! The Umami King Tim Hanni MW Join hosts Kim and Mark as they welcome a true icon of the wine world: Master of Wine (MW)Tim Hanni. Tim, the first American to earn the prestigious MW […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 301 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Kiana Keys-The Unpolished Grape On this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine(WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with Kiana Keys, author of Unpolished Grape 101-The Basics of WineAnd Little Black Book of Food + […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 300 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Celebrating Our 300th Episode With Len Presutti A lot can happen in 300 episodes. Kim and Mark, the hosts of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), celebrate this incredible milestone with their good friend and […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 299 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Vino Therapy With Kelly Lewis Kim and Mark of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) welcome the visionary Kelly Lewis to the show to uncork the secrets of vino therapy. The founder of the first-ever […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 298 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Wine Illustration talk with Maryse Chevriere Join The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) hosts Kim and Mark for a conversation with Maryse Chevriere. A certified sommelier, acclaimed illustrator, author, and James Beard award winner, Maryse […]
