Franklin Liquors-The Wonderful World of Wine

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

09-08-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

The Rise of Alcohol Alternatives

How can wine fight back against RTDs?

What Is Solera Aging?

Is the Italian Margarita Actually Italian?

You’re Asking the Wrong Questions

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/spirits/italian-margarita-trend-olive-garden/

When Trump tariffs hit French barrels and corks, California’s winemakers feel the squeeze

Small California producers say Trump’s EU levies are driving up costs and threatening family businesses

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/aug/15/wine-california-trump-tariffs

Alcohol consumption has hit a 90-year low

The percentage of U.S. adults who say they drink alcohol has dropped to 54%, the lowest rate seen by Gallup in almost 90 years of tracking alcohol consumption in the country.

https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2025/08/18/alcohol-consumption

Côtes de Provence gains new cru

Sainte Victoire, which sits at the western end of the Côtes de Provence, has officially become a cru of the appellation.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/cotes-de-provence-gains-new-cru/

What could be the next ‘big thing’ in white wine from Italy?

During a webinar on selling Italian wine in the UK market, db quizzed two experts on their top tips for the next ‘big thing’ when it comes to whites from Italy – and the responses may surprise you.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/what-could-be-the-next-big-thing-in-white-wine-from-italy/

The Best Nonalcoholic Drinks Our Editors Actually Love

From vibrant aperitifs to botanical spritzes and zero-proof wine, these are the standouts in a sea of new nonalcoholic drinks.

https://www.foodandwine.com/editors-favorite-nonalcoholic-drinks-11791992

Can alcohol labels be trusted?

Now more than ever people are paying attention to alcohol levels in their wines, as no/low alternatives are finding a fanbase and people consider what moderation means. Decanter digs into the process in the US for labelling alcohol by volume in wines and what those numbers might really mean.

https://www.decanter.com/learn/alcohol-labels-561088/

Underwood Debuts Non-Alcoholic Rosé Bubbles in a Can… for the Modern Drinker

Union Wine Company, an Oregon-based B Corp that’s the force behind the country’s top-selling canned wine brand Underwood, is innovating once again

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/08/19/underwood-debuts-non-alcoholic-rose-bubbles-in-a-can-for-the-modern-drinker/

Teeth Whitening Tips for Wine Lovers

With the right care and a few expert strategies, you can continue to savor your favorite vintages while keeping your smile radiant.

https://www.mondaygrazianidds.com/teeth-whitening-tips-wine-lovers-charleston/

Texas Hill Country wineries team up for first-ever Wine Camp this fall

No, there’s no bunk beds involved, but campers can expect to gain insight into Texas’ ever-growing wine industry through sessions led by growers, winemakers, and culinary experts.

https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/hill-country-wine-camp/

Old Forester Celebrates 25 Birthday Bourbon Releases With a Bold Break From Tradition

This anniversary bottling keeps the age and proof but changes the way it’s made.

https://www.foodandwine.com/old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2025-11792333

Why are people drinking less in the US? A beer historian has the answers

A Northeastern historian and alcohol industry expert says the aftershock of the COVID-19 pandemic and social media have played a major role in why fewer people, especially young people, are drinking.

https://news.northeastern.edu/2025/08/18/why-people-are-drinking-less-alcohol/

‘B Corp isn’t a badge, it’s a mindset’

Despite industry headwinds, more EU wineries are embracing B Corp certification as a means to bolster business.

https://lmarcher.com/2025/08/08/b-corp-isnt-a-badge-its-a-mindset/

Two truths of wine marketing not widely acknowledged

It’s important that we realize that not all consumers are like us, and we aren’t selling wine to ourselves.

https://wineanorak.com/2025/08/17/two-truths-of-wine-marketing-not-widely-acknowledged/

What Is Solera Aging?

With roots dating back to the 1700s in southern Spain, solera aging is a winemaking technique best known for its role in producing the complex, nutty sherry wines of Andalusía.

https://vinepair.com/articles/solera-aging-explained/

Spirits-based RTDs surpass $2.7bn

The spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) segment is now worth US$2.7 billion in the US off-premise, almost three times its size in 2021.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/08/spirit-based-rtds-surpass-2-7bn/

Going strong: The rise of higher proof American whiskeys

Cask strength whiskeys are growing in popularity, as distillers across the US experiment with higher alcohol levels to offer more authentic spirits with intense flavours. Carissa Chesanek learns more and recommends six bottles to try.

https://www.decanter.com/spirits/going-strong-the-rise-of-higher-proof-american-whiskeys-563189/

Wine Careers

Distributor Sales vs. Supplier Sales — Which Is Right for You?

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/08/21/wine-careers-distributor-sales-vs-supplier-sales-which-is-right-for-you/

July 2025 Total US Beverage Alcohol Review

• Spirits RTD growth has slowed significantly. The July 2024 trend was (+59.9%)
• https://www.bw166.com/2025/08/19/july-2025-total-us-beverage-alcohol-review/

Seven reasons it’s a miracle anyone gets interested in wine

The reality is, given the obstacles that the industry puts up, a better question to ask is, why does anyone get interested in wine? Here are seven reasons it’s a minor miracle.

https://www.northwestwinereport.com/2025/08/seven-reasons-its-a-miracle-anyone-gets-interested-in-wine.html

New Sparkling

• California sparkling wine producer Chandon, part of the Moët Hennessy portfolio, is launching a new 100% Chardonnay Reserve Blanc de Blancs offering nationally. Aged for a minimum of 3.5 years and partially fermented in French oak barrels, the newcomer retails at $32 a bottle and is made from regeneratively farmed, estate-grown Chardonnay in the cool-climate Carneros style. According to Impact Databank, Chandon grew 2% to just under a half-million cases in the U.S. market last year.

Malibu to launch RTDs with Dole

Pernod Ricard-owned Malibu has joined forces with juice producer Dole on a range of canned cocktails, which will be released early next year.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/08/malibu-to-launch-rtds-with-dole/

Sulfites in wine: Part II

In Part I of our series on wine and sulfites, Westgarth Wines wine expert Maurizio Broggi explained why this chemical is essential for fine winemaking. In Part II, he looks at the cellar process, health rules, and natural wines.

https://westgarthwines.com/blogs/news/sulfites-in-wine-part-ii

The New Project is Here: The Spill

Many years in the making and about to launch…it’s just what wine lovers need today

https://tomwark.substack.com/p/the-new-project-is-here-the-spill

9 Things You Should Know About Labatt, Canada’s Largest Brewery

As one would expect from any brewery that’s been around for 170-plus years,

https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-labatt/

Tennessee Whiskey Is Evolving. Is That a Bad Thing?

But in the past decade or so, the surge of interest and investment in American whiskey, centered on Kentucky bourbon, has extended to Tennessee.

https://vinepair.com/articles/whiskey-from-tennessee-not-always-tennessee-whiskey/

Why You Won’t Find Liquor Sold In Grocery Stores In Certain States

There are 18 control states (technically 17, since one is a county), where the sale of alcohol takes place in state-run stores.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1944990/why-some-states-no-liquor-grocery-store/

Why are people drinking less in the US? Doctor links alcohol to cancer

A Gallup poll reveals only 54% of US adults consume alcohol, the lowest since 1939. Alcohol consumption has halved in recent years, with rising concerns over health risks. Experts suggest a shift similar to the decline of tobacco use may be underway, prompting a review of alcohol guidelines.

https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/why-are-people-drinking-less-in-the-us-doctors-link-alcohol-to-cancer-11756014783963.html

How can wine fight back against RTDs?

As wine’s core consumer ages and new recruits are put off by the category’s perceived lack of accessibility, RTDs have gained momentum, boosted by their convenience, flavour innovation and appeal to younger LDA drinkers. How can the wine industry stem the tide?

https://www.theiwsr.com/insight/how-can-wine-fight-back-against-rtds/

Trump’s tariffs to face major court test brought by US small business owners

Plaintiffs argue president lacks legal power to impose duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/28/trump-tariffs-lawsuit-small-business

After Retiring from Football, East Fallowfield’s Dick Vermeil Busy Making Fine Wines 

The winery’s tasting room in Napa has already been recognized as the very best in the area, voted number one in Napa for two years running, a distinction that underscores its consistent quality and popularity among visitors. 

https://vista.today/2025/08/retiring-dick-vermeil-fine-wines/

Climate change pushing winemakers to blend wines from different years

In the world of wine vintage is king. If you are buying a bottle of red, white or rosé then the specific year of the grape harvest is almost always written on the label.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxp41y3n7lo

From Tradition to Trend: Scheid’s Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay Shakes Up Wine Category

A bold fusion of classic winemaking and seasonal flair engages the next wave of adventurous wine drinkers

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/newreleases/article/307247

New study: The label on the wine bottle determines flavor and price

The feel of a wine label influences what consumers expect from a wine and whether they perceive it to be of high quality.

https://hochschule-burgenland.at/en/about-us/news-press/press-releases/detail/new-study-the-label-on-the-wine-bottle-determines-flavour-and-price/

Cheap Beer Brands You Should Avoid Buying, According To Customer Reviews

Here are some of the least expensive beers, which can be found for a relative pittance in six-packs or giant cardboard suitcases, that just aren’t worth the price, according to beer-knowledgeable customers.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1945393/cheap-beer-brands-avoid-buying/

New Research Suggests Microplastics May Be More Widespread in Drinks Than You Think

Scientists analyzed popular beverages and uncovered a surprising pattern of microplastic contamination across everyday drinks.

https://www.foodandwine.com/hot-drinks-microplastic-contamination-11797948

There’s Nothing ‘Petit’ About Petit Chablis

Here’s what you need to know about the French white wine that is a surprisingly great value.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/petit-chablis-wine/

America Can Brew Way More Beer Than We Drink. It’s Causing Problems.

Craft breweries’ problem — well, one of them — is that they’re stuck in the middle.

https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-america-brewing-more-than-drinking/

A red blend for Ol’ Crimson

Bledsoe Family Winery launches new wine to support WSU Cougar Collective

https://www.kxly.com/news/a-red-blend-for-ol-crimson-bledsoe-family-winery-launches-new-wine-to-support-wsu/article_93868cdd-f331-4785-b7e8-46d1652bccf3.html

Champagne foil remains ‘optional’ after two-year legal battle

The Comité Champagne has withdrawn its opposition to an EU ruling that foil on bottles should be made optional. The turnaround follows research that suggests the absence of foil would not affect sales or damage Champagne’s image.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/champagne-foil-ruled-optional-after-two-year-legal-battle/

Fluid physics reveals why some beers produce bigger heads

The frothy layer of foam which sits at the top of a freshly poured glass of beer, known as the ‘head’, can reveal a lot about the beverage.

https://cosmosmagazine.com/news/beer-foam-fluid-physics/

The Rise of Alcohol Alternatives

Which States Are Drinking Less Booze?

https://www.traceone.com/resources/plm-compliance-blog/states-drinking-less-alcohol

The Historic Mezcal Harvesting Technique Disappearing in the Modern Era

A fading technique among Oaxacan mezcaleros that the meteoric growth of mezcal has not only left behind, but erased to the point that Google can barely find it: tumbado.

https://vinepair.com/articles/tumbado-mezcal-technique/

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Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

08-25-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Busch Light Apple Is the McRib of Beer

U.S. Drinking Rate at New Low as Alcohol Concerns Surge

5 myths about sustainability – busted

What Can Bourbon Distillers Learn From the Last Big Bust?

The bourbon industry is looking at some tough times right now.

https://vinepair.com/articles/bourbon-distillers-learn-from-last-big-bust/

The Main Ingredient in Amaretto Isn’t What You Think It Is

The Italian liqueur is sweet, easygoing, and most would agree that its chief tasting note is almond

https://vinepair.com/articles/amaretto-main-ingredient-not-almonds/

French Bloom, a high-end alcohol-free sparkling wine that’s the most convincing product in this space yet

Non-alcoholic wine is currently a topic of intense interest in the wine industry.

https://wineanorak.com/2025/07/28/french-bloom-a-high-end-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine-thats-the-most-convincing-product-in-this-space-yet/

How to Figure Out When Your Bottle of Chartreuse Was Produced

There’s no question that Chartreuse is a darling of the cocktail world, and for good reason.

https://vinepair.com/articles/chartreuse-code-for-production-date/

Does Sparkling Wine Make You Drunk Faster?

Ever feel like a glass of bubbly hits harder than a glass of red wine?

https://www.raisin.digital/en/news/does-sparkling-wine-make-you-drunk-faster-1066/

These Affordable Bourbons Are Comparable To Pappy Van Winkle And A Fraction Of The Price

If you’re a whiskey drinker, perhaps you’ve heard of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1925892/affordable-pappy-van-winkle-bourbon-alternative/

Are Casamigos and Don Julio really 100% agave? New lawsuits say no

Diageo, one of the world’s largest alcoholic beverage companies, is facing two class-action lawsuits alleging that it deceptively marketed its popular tequila brands Casamigos and Don Julio as “100% agave” while allegedly including non-agave-derived alcohol in the products.

https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/casamigos-don-julio-lawsuits/

What Does It Mean to Order a Martini ‘Naked?’

But there’s another, less common, Martini order that’s sure to turn heads at the bar: the Naked Martini.

https://vinepair.com/articles/martini-naked-explainer/

The Science of Blending Wine

Blending wine is about much more than combining different grape varieties—it can impact alcohol, color, flavor, and more. Here, researchers and winemakers explain the science behind this important winemaking process

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/the-science-of-blending-wine/

Leftover wine is your kitchen’s secret weapon — here’s how to use it

There’s always a reason for wine

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/what-to-do-with-leftover-wine/

This Prized Champagne Has Been Involved in Not One, but Two Historic Shipwrecks

Prior to the advent of aviation, traveling by way of the sea was the primary method of transportation for people and for goods.

https://vinepair.com/articles/1907-heidsieck-co-shipwrecked-champagne/

One Of The Best Dry White Wines For Cooking Is A Lighter Variety

One of the reasons Brian Streeter says that sauvignon blanc is so ideal to cook with is because it lacks oakiness which can interfere with flavors in a dish

https://www.foodrepublic.com/1927632/best-dry-white-wine-cooking/

Big Wine Backing Away From the Entry Level Should Worry the Entire Industry

A spicy rumor riled up the wine industry earlier this year: Constellation Brands wanted out. And not just a few labels here and there: the whole kit and caboodle.

https://vinepair.com/articles/constellation-wine-selloff-industry-indications/

How Protectionist Wine and Liquor Laws Violate the Constitution

The Commerce Clause protects free trade between the states.

https://reason.com/2025/08/07/how-protectionist-wine-and-liquor-laws-violate-the-constitution/

We Asked A Wine Shop Owner What To Buy If You Know Nothing About Wine

Listening to wine connoisseurs talk about all the things that make the boozy nectar superb makes me feel inept.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1932659/what-to-buy-at-wine-shop-beginner-expert/

Global Demand for Organic Wine is Rising

The main drivers of growth are an increasing health consciousness among consumers, a growing interest in environmental compatibility, and a rising focus on quality and naturalness in food and beverages.

https://magazine.wein.plus/news/global-demand-for-organic-wine-is-rising-study-growth-potential-of-around-10-annually

How High Will Tariffs Go on Imported Wine?

The U.S. government has implemented steeper duties on many foreign wines, with no sign of relief for wine importers or consumers

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/higher-tariffs-hit-imported-wines

Tariffs could cost alcohol industry US$2bn in sales, Trump warned

A 15% US tariff on EU goods could slash alcohol sales by nearly US$2 billion and threaten 25,000 American jobs, industry leaders have warned in a letter to President Donald Trump. With the festive season looming, the pressure is mounting for a deal.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/tariffs-could-cost-alcohol-industry-us2bn-in-sales-groups-warn-trump/

The Best Cheeses for White Wine: A French Approach

Few pairings evoke as much romance, memories, and reverence as wine and cheese.

https://bottlebarn.com/blogs/news/pairing-white-wine-with-cheese-french-approach

New Jim Beam

• Suntory Global Spirits has added a new, cocktail-focused  Bourbon to the Jim Beam brand. Jim Beam Sunshine is bottled at 40% abv and is meant to be an approachable blend with the company pitching it as ideal for sipping chilled, over ice, or in Highballs. Sunshine, according to Suntory, is aimed at drinkers looking to make lighter, more sessionable cocktails, and is made from a blend of 65% 4-year-old flagship Jim Beam Bourbon and 35% Bourbon made from a mash of 55% corn, 35% brown rice, and 10% malted barley. The new release is available across the U.S. and carries a suggested price of $20 a 750-ml. Last year, Jim Beam was at 5.5 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank. 

Will Portugal authorize new Defensor grape?

Planting disease-resistant hybrid grapes is still banned in Portugal, but one region is “breaking the taboo” by pushing for authorisation of the white Defensor variety, db can reveal.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/will-portugal-authorise-new-defensor-grape/

Yellowstone debuts bottled Bourbon cocktails

Kentucky distillery Limestone Branch has launched a range of ready-to-serve (RTS) Bourbon-based cocktails for its Yellowstone brand.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/08/yellowstone-debuts-bottled-bourbon-cocktails/

Jamie Goode: Has wine lost its cool – for good?

Wine is in the middle of an existential crisis.

https://winemag.co.za/wine/opinion/jamie-goode-has-wine-lost-its-cool-for-good/

Can You Get Drunk on Nonalcoholic Beer? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

NA beer vs. blood alcohol – this is what the science says.

https://www.foodandwine.com/nonalcoholic-beers-before-drunk-11784752

5 myths about sustainability – busted

Sustainability is more than just a buzz word – it’s a crucial issue for the global wine industry and, by extension, for the sommelier community. And yet it’s fiendishly difficult to define, let alone work into a wine program

https://starwinelist.com/wine-story/5-myths-about-sustainability-busted

If You Know, You Know: Discovering Virginia’s Wines One Case at a Time

That’s the way it is with the wines from Virginia.

https://wineeconomist.com/2025/08/05/iykyk/

Will tariffs help or hurt CA’s wine industry?

Amid decreasing demand and rising costs, the U.S. and California wine industry have struggled in recent years.

https://calmatters.org/newsletter/california-wine-industry-newsletter/

Taste the Wine Rainbow

Turns out, there are many different factors that can go into determining whether a brilliant ruby red, a pale golden yellow or mandarin orange shine out at us from the glass.

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/wine-color-red-white-rose-orange-maceration-winemaking

New Beatbox

• Wine-based RTD brand Beatbox has launched a new Mystic Grape flavor. The 11.1% abv drink comes in 500-ml. cartons and joins the brand’s wide array of fruit-flavored RTDs. The new flavor is available across the U.S. in over 130,000 retail locations, according to the company. Last year, Beatbox surged nearly 80% to reach 5.4 million cases in the U.S. While typically found in individual 500-ml. cartons, Beatbox is also available in 4-packs and 3-liter boxes, depending on the region and flavor. 

Alto Agrelo gains GI status in Mendoza

Alto Agrelo has officially become Argentina’s latest Geographical Indication (GI), following a successful campaign by Grupo Avinea in May 2025.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/alto-agrelo-awarded-gi-status-in-mendoza/

Jack Daniel’s launches blackberry flavor

Brown-Forman-owned Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey has added a blackberry flavor to its range.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/08/jack-daniels-launches-blackberry-flavour/

Is Still Prosecco a Clever Bid or a Branding Blunder?

What is the ultimate motivation behind this perplexing product? And more critically, could this fresh face instead derail the successful sparkling storyline of the Prosecco program?

https://vinepair.com/articles/rise-of-still-prosecco/

Amidst Declining Booze Consumption, Tequila Continues to Rise

As other spirits wane, why is tequila climbing the liquor ladder?

https://www.charlottemagazine.com/amidst-declining-booze-consumption-tequila-continues-to-rise/

How Kentucky bourbon went from boom to bust

As American as apple pie, Kentucky bourbon was booming after the last Great Recession ended. But as the economy has waned post-Pandemic – and with multiple trade wars on the horizon – the market may be drying up.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckglnk6yxlko

US wine trends 2025: premiumisation dominates as volume drops

What’s happening in wine sales in the US mirrors broader economic patterns, with a few key exceptions. The takeaway is that high-end wines are soaring and mid-to-lower-priced wines are tanking. Only it’s not quite that cut and dry. Kathleen Willcox reports.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/us-wine-trends-2025-premiumisation-dominates-as-volume-drops/

Class of 2025: EU approves three new grape varieties

We could soon be hearing much more about Calardis Blanc, Magdeleine Noir and Négret de la Canourgue, as the three varieties have officially been added to the list of authorised grape varieties in the European Union.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/class-of-2025-eu-approves-three-new-grape-varieties/

Etna’s Climb to DOCG

As Etna looks increasingly likely to claim DOCG status, the region’s producers reflect on what that means.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/08/etnas-climb-to-docg

Top 10 Japanese winemakers producing wine in France

The Japanese fascination with French wine heritage is nothing new.

https://www.idealwine.info/top-10-japanese-winemakers-producing-wine-in-france/

Five best wine museums to visit in Europe

Planning a trip to a European wine capital?

https://westgarthwines.com/blogs/news/five-best-wine-museums-to-visit-in-europe

Time to Talk About Private Label Wine

Canadian and Australian wine professionals are exercised about the number of wines big retailers currently sell, or may be about to offer, under their own labels.

https://robertejoseph.substack.com/p/time-to-talk-about-private-label?utm_medium=newsletter

U.S. Drinking Rate at New Low as Alcohol Concerns Surge

The percentage of U.S. adults who say they consume alcohol has fallen to 54%, the lowest by one percentage point in Gallup’s nearly 90-year trend

https://news.gallup.com/poll/693362/drinking-rate-new-low-alcohol-concerns-surge.aspx

Woodford Reserve debuts American single malt

The new American single malt (ASM) from Brown-Forman-owned Woodford Reserve is part of the brand’s limited Distillery Series.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/08/woodford-reserve-debuts-american-single-malt/

The Secret Architecture of Whisky — How Stills Shape the Spirit

The design of the still isn’t random, it’s flavor engineering.

https://substack.com/inbox/post/166672022?utm_medium=ios

8 Legendary Vermont IPAs, Tasted and Ranked

Although the IPA’s roots in America trace back to the West Coast, Vermont has arguably become the IPA capital of the country — and possibly the world — since the craft beer boom of the late ‘90s and early aughts.

https://vinepair.com/buy-this-booze/popular-vermont-ipas-tasted-ranked/

New Tequila

• Heaven Hill’s Tequila Ocho has launched a new Barrel Proof Reposado in limited quantities across the U.S. The 50.5% abv Tequila is distilled from agave grown in Las Raíces and aged for up to six months in what the company calls “overused” American whiskey barrels. For this year, the brand will release 3,095 cases in the U.S., with each bottle carrying a suggested price of $84 a 750-ml. Last year, Tequila Ocho grew 75% to 105,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.

Wine’s Reasons to be Cheerful

The wine industry has been having a tough old time for a couple of years, but the tide may be turning.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/08/wines-reasons-to-be-cheerful

FIVS Calls on U.S. to Modernise Wine Labels as Half of All Wine Crosses Borders

Global wine body urges adoption of digital labelling to give consumers clearer information, support sustainability and remove trade barriers.

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/306881

Stop Your Wine From Going Bad Fast With These Storage Tips

You really can beat the clock when it comes to how long wine will stay fresh.

https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/stop-your-wine-from-going-bad-fast-with-these-storage-tips/

Busch Light Apple Is the McRib of Beer

 ABI once again stopped shipping the brand. In fact, it’s already been replaced by Busch Light

https://vinepair.com/articles/hop-take-busch-light-apple-mcrib-strategy/

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

Website

Instagram

Listen On i Tunes

Listen On Soundcloud

Official Merchandise

Review Show Here

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Get updated On Liquor Industry News, Events, Sales And More!

http://bit.ly/1q72JV3

Find Us Online

www.franklinliquors.com

Like Us On Facebook

www.facebook.com/franklinliquorsMA

Follow Us On X

www.twitter.com/franklinliquors

Our Latest Specials

Liquor

Liquor Sale Items

Wine

Wine Sale Items

Beer

Beer Sale Items

Beer Keg Information Page

We Are On Pointy

Browse Our Product List

Upcoming Events

Our Education Schedule

Franklin Wine Club 

Wine Explorers wanted!

Over 900 Club Members!

How To attend and join

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/

http://www.facebook.com/FranklinwineclubMA

Food And Wine Events

 Our TV Show And Facebook Page

Franklin Liquors Wine Education

Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW

Certified Specialist Of Spirits-CSS

Society Of Wine Educators

California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)

French Wine Scholar FWS-(Instructor) Wine Scholar Guild

Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)

Italian Wine Specialist-IWS*-North American Sommelier Association

Spanish Wine Scholar SWS-Wine Scholar Guild

Oregon Wine Expert OWE-Napa Valley Wine Academy

Italian Wine Maestro-The Vinitaly International Academy (First Class In USA)

Italian Wine Scholar IWS*-Wine Scholar Guild

SaveSave

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

08-11-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

What Winemakers Don’t Tell You About Making Wine

What Exactly Is Port Wine?

Your ‘sulfite-free’ wine is lying to you

Buffalo Trace Found a New Way to Use Its Whiskey Waste — By Turning It Into Food

Thanks to advanced biotechnology, bourbon stillage is now a source for “multifunctional alternative proteins.”

https://www.foodandwine.com/buffalo-trace-whiskey-stillage-alternative-protein-source-11774665

13 Genius Hacks For Better Tasting Whiskey

The world of whiskey is a vast space steeped in history and craft, with numerous styles and flavor profiles to suit all tastes.

https://www.chowhound.com/1911667/hacks-better-tasting-whiskey/

Don’t Overlook This Important Tip For Getting Your Hands On The Rarest Bourbons

One of the rules of buying bourbon is that you should consult store staff if you’re looking for a particular bourbon, or just seeking advice in general.

https://www.chowhound.com/1914211/befriend-liquor-store-employees-rare-bourbons/

The Headwinds of a Wine Merchant

Despite these challenging times, we know that pockets of America are craving sustainably made, wild and scarce wines and food from around the world.

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/2025/07/19/wine-merchant-importer-navigating-tariffs

New Bourbon

• Brown-Forman has announced this year’s iteration of Old Forester1910 Extra Extra Old, part of the brand’s 117 series of limited releases. The whiskey is bottled at 46.5% abv and is given a two-year second maturation in a heavily charred new oak barrel. It’s named for the 1910 Old Forester distillery fire that forced the brand to re-barrel aging whiskey held in flame-damaged casks. Priced at $65 a 750-ml., it’s available at the Old Forester distillery, select Kentucky retailers, and for online ordering in Washington, D.C., Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Dakota. Old Forester rose 3% to just over 500,000 cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank.

Your ‘sulfite-free’ wine is lying to you

All wine has sulfites.

https://www.vaildaily.com/entertainment/food-drink/carpe-wine-your-sulfite-free-wine-is-lying-to-you/

How many calories are in beer, wine and their alcohol-free alternatives?

There is now a huge array of low- and no-alcohol options on the market, from beers and wines to alcohol-free spirits and RTDs.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/07/20/how-many-calories-are-in-beer-wine-and-their-alcohol-free-alternatives/

In France, they are adapting wine to the market – making it non-alcoholic

In new wine, alcohol molecules are removed while preserving the wine’s aromas, using a special process developed to accommodate the growing appeal of a different product.

https://en.vijesti.me/svijet/evropa/767414/u-francuskoj-prilagodjavaju-vino-trzistu-prave-bezalkoholno

Why Alcohol Consumers 20-to-40 are Drinking Less Wine

Value Perception, Pricing, RTDs Taking Share

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/305790

Texas Hill Country

Wine Country Guide

Bask in the rugged beauty of Texas Hill Country, America’s third largest AVA, where sun‑soaked plateaus and cool limestone canyons craft distinctive Mediterranean‑style wines.

https://texashillcountry.guides.winefolly.com/

Whatever Happened to Bargain Wine?

Should wineries invest more in the value segment of the market to try to recapture something of the Bargain Wine Phenomenon?

https://wineeconomist.com/2025/07/22/bargains/

Napa winery sues neighbor over redwood trees

Quantum Limit has filed a lawsuit against Okell Holdings for planting redwood trees, which Quantum’s owner says is like “dropping a bunker buster bomb” into its Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. Sarah Neish investigates.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/napa-winery-sues-neighbour-over-redwood-trees/

New Buffalo Trace

Sazerac-owned Buffalo Trace Distillery has launched Sazerac Rye 100 Proof, a new, higher-abv variant of the company’s Kentucky rye. The new release carries a suggested price of $30 a liter and is available in select states across the U.S. Sazerac Rye 100 Proof is made using the same recipe as the company’s flagship 45% abv Sazerac bottling. The newcomer will also join the Sazerac Barrel Select program, allowing on- and off-premise businesses to select their own barrels of the higher-proof rye.

The Easiest Way To Tell If Your Sparkling Wine Has Gone Bad

You can tell if sparkling wine has gone off “the same way you can tell if a still wine has gone off: “You will smell it,”

https://www.chowhound.com/1918384/how-tell-sparkling-wine-gone-bad/

E&J Gallo to close SLO County winery, lay off workers. Why?

The closure comes roughly a year after Gallo sold its Edna Valley Vineyard and Winery property on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo — but elected to keep producing wines under the Edna Valley labe

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/business/article311344440.html#storylink=cpy

What’s the Correct Glassware for a Gin & Tonic?

Depends on Where You Are.

https://vinepair.com/articles/gin-and-tonic-best-glassware-regional-debate/

Study Finds TFA in Juices and Wine in Canada

The HFO byproduct trifluoroacetic acid was detected in multiple beverage samples at levels similar to previous studies.

https://naturalrefrigerants.com/study-finds-tfa-in-juices-and-wine-in-canada/

What Is a Corked Wine and Why Does It Happen?

An exploration of one of the wine world’s most unwelcome guests: TCA.

https://www.foodandwine.com/what-is-corked-wine-11776893

BuzzBallz makes a splash with inflatable pool

Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail brand BuzzBallz has created a giant, limited edition inflatable pool shaped like its packaging.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/07/buzzballz-makes-a-splash-with-inflatable-pool/

Champagne restricts yields to lowest level since Covid

The region of Champagne has just announced the yield limit for this year’s harvest, setting it at the lowest level this century, aside from 2020, when the first Covid-related lockdowns led to a sharp decline in sales.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/champagne-restricts-yields-to-lowest-level-since-covid/

What Exactly Is Port Wine?

Part of what makes port wine sweeter (and more alcoholic), is the fortification process, where an additional spirit is added to the original grape liquid. In this case it’s brandy, or specifically, aguardente

https://www.chowhound.com/1917117/what-is-port-wine/

‘Easy’ 2025 vintage in Champagne follows ‘difficult’ 2024

The contrast could hardly be greater as Champagne producers benefit from an “easy” vintage this year following one of the most “difficult” ever faced in 2024, according to a leading cellar master in the region.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/easy-2025-vintage-in-champagne-follows-difficult-2024/

Use of Portuguese oak on the rise

Gone are the days of vintners automatically turning to French or American oak to age their wines. With terroir becoming ever more hyper-focused, Portuguese producers are increasingly housing their wines in barrels made from local wood. Sarah Neish reports.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/use-of-portuguese-oak-on-the-rise/

I Asked Five Sommeliers the Best Wine to Pair With Pizza, and They All Said the Same Thing

Chefs, somms, and other wine pros share their top pick—and it might just surprise you.

https://www.realsimple.com/sommeliers-favorite-wine-to-pair-with-pizza-11776106

The 6 Best Bottled-in-Bond Whiskeys, According to Bartenders

First introduced to protect drinkers from counterfeit spirits, bottled-in-bond whiskey remains a benchmark of craftsmanship.

https://www.foodandwine.com/best-bottled-in-bond-whiskey-11778545

Welcome to the World, Cirò Classico DOCG!

Wine students of the world, heads up!

https://winewitandwisdomswe.com/2025/07/25/welcome-to-the-world-ciro-classico-docg/

More vineyards, fewer fads. The new era of Italian Metodo Classico sparkling wines

The numbers don’t lie: in the world of wine, sparkling wines are holding strong.

https://www.gamberorossointernational.com/news/more-vineyards-fewer-fads-the-new-era-of-italian-metodo-classico-sparkling-wines/

Why alcohol-free has a crucial role to play for beer in the US – Consumer Intel

As the beer market in the US continues its structural decline, the dynamic no-alcohol segment provides a much-needed bright spot, with robust growth set to continue in the years ahead.

https://drinks-intel.com/beer/why-alcohol-free-has-a-crucial-role-to-play-for-beer-in-the-us-consumer-intel/

Viniculture’s New Frontier: Regenerative Agriculture

More than a buzzword, regenerative agriculture promises healthier soil, smarter farming, and—if winemakers are right—better wine in your glass.

https://worth.com/regenerative-agriculture-wine-industry/

The Average Income Of A Restaurant Sommelier Might Make You Pause

Zip Recruiter shows a range of pay for wine sommeliers — from $15,500 to $86,000 – with an average of $21 an hour or $43,449 annually,

https://www.moneydigest.com/1921267/how-much-does-a-sommelier-make-on-average/

In Northeast Portland, You Can Take a Bath in Wine (Sort Of)

Hey, it’s cheaper than a trip to Bordeaux.

https://www.pdxmonthly.com/health-and-wellness/2025/07/portland-oregon-wine-spa

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Is ready to conquer the future.

Here’s what the new vintages are like

https://www.gamberorossointernational.com/news/cerasuolo-dabruzzo-is-ready-to-conquer-the-future-heres-what-the-new-vintages-are-like/

Is there a difference between non-vintage and multi-vintage Champagne?

Vintage Champagne is an expression of a single harvest, but when it comes to blending wines from different years, some producers use the term non-vintage, others multi-vintage. So, is there a difference?

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/is-there-a-difference-between-non-vintage-and-multi-vintage-champagne/

What Winemakers Don’t Tell You About Making Wine

The role of winemaker is romanticized. It conjures up images of daily wine tastings, schmoozing with VIPs, and tranquil vineyards

https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/what-winemakers-dont-tell-you-about-making-wine/

A Wine Lover’s Guide to Oregon

Oregon has long been a darling among wine lovers, celebrated for its incredible terroirs, world-class food scene, and gorgeous landscapes with rolling vineyard-lined hills and groves of towering old-growth trees

https://vinepair.com/articles/jackson-family-wines-wine-lovers-guide-to-oregon/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=4090c215ce-JULY_31_2025&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-4090c215ce-38937345&mc_cid=4090c215ce&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

Is social media dampening hospitality’s creativity?

In a world dominated by image-heavy platforms, we’ve become trapped in a cycle of repetitive ideas and copycat campaigns. At this year’s Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans, three drinks industry experts shared why social media and AI are hindering originality within the hospitality sector, and how taking creativity offline can foster genuine ideas.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/07/is-social-media-dampening-hospitalitys-creativity/

New Wine

• Delicato Family Wines’ Gnarly Head has released two new wines celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead. The wines—an Old Vine Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon—both retail for $12 and show off the band’s iconography on their labels. The Zin is sourced from 35- to 85-year-old vines and is from the 2023 vintage, while the Cab is from 2024. Both wines will be available across the U.S. Last year, Gnarly Head was at 180,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Named Best Winery Tour in America by USA TODAY

 In a win for one of New York’s most iconic wineries, Dr. Konstantin Frank has again been ranked #1 as the Best Winery Tour in America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/07/30/dr-konstantin-frank-named-best-winery-tour-in-america-by-usa-today/

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

Website

Instagram

Listen On i Tunes

Listen On Soundcloud

Official Merchandise

Review Show Here

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Get updated On Liquor Industry News, Events, Sales And More!

http://bit.ly/1q72JV3

Find Us Online

www.franklinliquors.com

Like Us On Facebook

www.facebook.com/franklinliquorsMA

Follow Us On X

www.twitter.com/franklinliquors

Our Latest Specials

Liquor

Liquor Sale Items

Wine

Wine Sale Items

Beer

Beer Sale Items

Beer Keg Information Page

We Are On Pointy

Browse Our Product List

Upcoming Events

Our Education Schedule

Franklin Wine Club 

Wine Explorers wanted!

Over 900 Club Members!

How To attend and join

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/

http://www.facebook.com/FranklinwineclubMA

Food And Wine Events

 Our TV Show And Facebook Page

Franklin Liquors Wine Education

Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW

Certified Specialist Of Spirits-CSS

Society Of Wine Educators

California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)

French Wine Scholar FWS-(Instructor) Wine Scholar Guild

Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)

Italian Wine Specialist-IWS*-North American Sommelier Association

Spanish Wine Scholar SWS-Wine Scholar Guild

Oregon Wine Expert OWE-Napa Valley Wine Academy

Italian Wine Maestro-The Vinitaly International Academy (First Class In USA)

Italian Wine Scholar IWS*-Wine Scholar Guild

SaveSave

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

07-28-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Global alcohol volumes fell 1% in 2024

Is Estate Whiskey the Next Big Thing?

The oldest winery in RI is the oldest in New England.

Understanding ‘Blue Weber’: A Redundant Name With a Complicated Past

Agave spirits production accelerated rapidly in the late 1800s and early 20th century, but the industry faced a major challenge: meeting growing demand.

https://vinepair.com/articles/blue-weber-agave-name-explainer/

Increasing trend for reservation versus walk-in winery tastings

Obviously, the fees charged for reserve tastings are pretty much double those of the standard fee

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/07/increasing-trend-for-reservation-versus.html

Color-Coded Branding Sells Seltzer and Scotch — So Why Not Wine?

Despite endless SKUs and fierce shelf competition, color-coded labeling remains an untapped design tool.

https://vinepair.com/articles/wineries-avoiding-color-coded-labels/

Pop, soda or coke? A linguist explains the history behind the various names for the drink

The word you use generally boils down to where you’re from: 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/pop-soda-or-coke-a-linguist-explains-the-history-behind-the-various-names-for-the-drink

Poured, Then Forgotten: The Hidden Economics of the Sommelier

There is a secret that only beverage directors truly understand: we make the restaurant’s numbers work.

https://www.michelegargiulo.com/blog/restaurant-wine-costs-and-the-lost-art-of-sommelier-economics

Richard Smart: The Man Who Changed Wine

We mark the passing of an Australian who changed the way modern wine tastes.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/07/richard-smart-the-man-who-changed-wine

What Exactly Is A ‘Blended’ Whiskey?

To quickly sum up, “blended” refers to whiskey coming from multiple distilleries.

https://www.chowhound.com/1902661/what-is-blended-whiskey/

The Oldest US Brewery Survived Prohibition But Its Beer Still Isn’t Available Nationwide

If you want a swig of Yuengling, you may have to do some traveling.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1900398/yuengling-oldest-brewery-availability/

Bad news about South Africa’s wine industry

South Africa’s wine industry has had a challenging start to 2025, marked by low consumer confidence, market uncertainty, and declining sales.

https://dailyinvestor.com/retail/91421/bad-news-about-south-africas-wine-industry/

Sustainability at Taylor’s Port

Taylor’s Port is deeply committed to sustainability, striving to minimise its environmental impact through innovative practices across all areas of operation. 

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2025-07-06/sustainability-at-taylors-port/99129

These Are 7 of the Most Innovative New Tequilas, According to Experts

Tequila producers are finding exciting ways to innovate within the category without abandoning tradition.

https://www.foodandwine.com/most-innovative-tequilas-11766170

This Prosecco Region Is Embracing Terroir Over Technique — Here’s Why It Matters

Producers of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco are on a quest to focus on terroir. Here’s how the appellation stands apart from the sea of Prosecco DOC.

https://www.foodandwine.com/prosecco-method-technique-terroir-11768529

Did you know? In Virginia, you can buy liquor the day before you turn 21

In 1963, then-Virginia Attorney General Robert Button made a ruling that created a little-known opportunity for those turning 21.

https://www.richmonder.org/did-you-know-in-virginia-you-can-buy-liquor-the-day-before-you-turn-21/

Reciprocal tariffs explained: Impact on your business

If a tariff is a tax on goods imported from other countries, what is a reciprocal tariff?

https://www.avalara.com/blog/en/north-america/2025/07/reciprocal-tariffs-explained.html

New RTD

• Suntory Global Spirits’ vodka RTD brand -196has launched a new combo variety pack, featuring four flavors. Each drink is at 5.5% abv and made with vodka, sparkling water, and frozen and crushed fruit. The 8-pack offers two cans each in Strawberry & Watermelon, Lemon & Lime, Strawberry & Pineapple, and Lemon & Raspberry flavors. The new variety pack carries a suggested price of $20 and is now rolling out across the U.S. While relatively new to the U.S. market, -196 is the largest spirits brand globally by volume at more than 30 million cases in 2024, according to Impact Databank. In the U.S., -196 was at 160,000 cases last year, up from 20,000 a year earlier.

What the Cork Can Tell You About the Age of Your Champagne

How can you determine if the wine was recently bottled or has been sitting in a dusty corner for decades?

https://vinepair.com/articles/what-cork-shape-says-about-champagne/

Why is this wine so wonderfully/ outrageously cheap?

Should we be celebrating heavily-discounted wines, or bemoaning their existence?

https://robertejoseph.substack.com/p/why-is-this-wine-so-wonderfully-outrageously?utm_medium=newsletter

Sober, all too sober

How can we convert abstemious younger drinkers to the joys of wine?

https://worldoffinewine.com/news-features/sober-young-people-wine

New grape varieties approved for Ontario’s VQA certified wines

In 2024, more than $433.6 million in VQA wines were sold worldwide

https://www.pelhamtoday.ca/local-news/new-grape-varieties-approved-for-ontarios-vqa-certified-wines-10822384

The Definitive Timeline of Bourbon ‘Taters’

As far as I know, no one has ever definitively determined the etymology of the word “tater” as it applies to the bourbon industry.

https://vinepair.com/articles/bourbon-tater-timeline/

Ménage à Trois Wines Launches Light Sauvignon Blanc

 Wine brand Ménage à Trois has launched a Light Sauvignon Blanc to add to its top-selling portfolio of wines.

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/07/09/menage-a-trois-wines-launches-light-sauvignon-blanc/

Where Is Greek Wine Today?

 There are maybe 1,300 wineries in Greece – Bordeaux alone has almost five times as many.

https://timatkin.com/where-is-greek-wine-today/

The oldest winery in RI is the oldest in New England.

How to get a drink there this summer

https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/history/2025/07/08/what-is-the-oldest-winery-in-rhode-island-sakkonet-vineyard-little-compton/84489237007/

Searching for Italy’s Wines
A Stanley Tucci Flashback

https://wineeconomist.com/2025/07/08/tucci-2/

Alcohol sales changed subtly after Canada legalized cannabis

Drinking might decrease, for example, if people used cannabis in place of alcohol.

https://phys.org/news/2025-07-alcohol-sales-subtly-canada-legalized.html

Vodka production plummets in Russia

Western sanctions hit beverage sector.

https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-vodka-production-sanctions-alcohol-ukraine-war/

BarrelSpeak: Deciphering the Code

Barrels are phenomenally important vessels in wine production. 

https://www.ediblemontereybay.com/blog/barrel-speak-understanding-the-code/

Why Wine Still Matters

Time, Place, and the Persistence of Meaning in a Glass

https://www.palatexposure.com/opinion/why-wine-still-matters/

WINE IN COCKTAILS: A TABOO OR A TREND WORTH TOASTING?

Let’s be honest, for some wine lovers, the idea of mixing wine into a cocktail feels completely wrong.

https://www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk/latest-news-and-features/wine-in-cocktails-a-taboo-or-a-trend-worth-toasting-7411

Laura Catena, the scientific heart of Argentine wine

A doctor, scientist, and key figure in Argentine wine worldwide, she combines family legacy, academic knowledge, and passion for the land.

https://www.timeout.com/buenos-aires/laura-catena-argentine-wine-leader-catena-zapata-winery

New Bourbon

• Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits has introduced Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon: Gold Roast Bourbon, a 6-Year Tennessee Bourbon finished with whole roasted Arabica coffee beans. Made with coffee beans from Tennessee-based Muletown Coffee Roasters, the new entry is bottled at 46% abv and retails at $50. It’s launching nationally next month. The whiskey is aged in new American oak barrels and passed through the Lincoln County process, then infused with cold-steeped, custom-roasted Arabica coffee beans sourced from the Agalta region of Honduras.

Why the weight of your wine bottle is important

How to Drink Better: Biggest contributor to a wine’s carbon footprint is the glass bottle containing it

https://www.irishtimes.com/food/drink/2025/07/13/why-the-weight-of-your-wine-bottle-is-important/

If You’re Going To Shake That Bottle Of Champagne, You Must Follow This Rule

The reason you don’t want to shake a bottle of Champagne and open it right away is because pressure will force the cork to pop out and you’ll lose a lot of wine in the spray.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1907482/shake-champagne-bottle-timing-rule/

French wine and cheese makers say U.S. tariffs would hit hard

A 30% duty would be “disastrous” for France’s food industry, said Jean-François Loiseau, president of food lobby group ANIA, while Francois Xavier Huard, CEO of dairy association FNIL, said: “It’s a real shock for milk and cheese producers – this is an important market for us”.

https://www.reuters.com/business/french-wine-cheese-makers-say-us-tariffs-would-hit-hard-2025-07-13/

The oldest winery in NH opened almost 40 years ago.

How to get a drink there this summer

https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/history/2025/07/12/what-is-the-oldest-winery-in-new-hampshire-flag-hill-lee/84562872007/

Wine pairings with Sherry Wines

Best unexpected pairings with Sherry

https://www.sherry.wine/news/wine-pairings-with-sherry-wines-best-unexpected-pairings-with-sherry

The Most Expensive Bourbons of 2025

Our quest for the world’s priciest spirits starts in familiar territory – Kentucky.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/07/the-most-expensive-bourbons-of-2025

The Ultimate Guide to Heaven Hill’s Mash Bills

Heaven Hill is one of America’s largest whiskey producers, and the family-owned company has some eye-popping production numbers by any measure.

https://vinepair.com/articles/heaven-hill-mash-bill-guide/

New Wine

• Ste Michelle Wine Estates is launching Estival, dedicated to aromatic white wines from the Columbia Valley region of Washington State. The first release is a Sauvignon Blanc sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills sub-AVA. The brand’s name is rooted in the Latin notion of “hibernating in summer,” according to the company. The first vintage of Estival is rolling out now in limited quantities and will be targeted to top restaurants across the country.

Understanding Tannins in Wine: A Complete Guide

Wine lovers often encounter the term “tannins” when discussing their favorite bottles, but what exactly are these mysterious compounds that play such a crucial role in wine structure and flavor?

 https://www.coravin.com/blogs/community/understanding-tannins-in-wine

How Sommeliers Decide Between a Glass or a Bottle — and Save Money Every Time

This wine ordering hack could cut your restaurant bill every single time.

https://www.foodandwine.com/wine-by-glass-or-bottle-cheaper-11772914

Spicing it up: Is jalapeño wine a fun trend or a bad idea?

Winemakers weigh in

https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/lifestyle/food/2025/07/16/jalapeo-infused-wine-this-summers-viral-drink/85245303007/

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Judge a Rosé By Its Color

 One of the biggest misconceptions about rosé, however, is that the shade of the wine itself dictates how sweet or dry it is.

https://vinepair.com/articles/dont-judge-rose-by-color/

“Super Tuscans”: A Wine That’s One of A Kind

Ornellaia, a winery in the coastal Bolgheri sub-region, was one of the pioneers in this style of wine.

https://sharpmagazine.com/2025/07/16/ornellaia-super-tuscan-wine/

Is Estate Whiskey the Next Big Thing?

If you’re looking for a positive trend in the American whiskey world, think of the small-but-expanding number of estate-grown whiskeys.

https://www.insidehook.com/whiskey/estate-whiskey-jephta-creed

Lodi Grapegrowers Pray for Tariffs

While tariffs have wine importers running scared, growers in Lodi see them as a lifeline to save their vineyards.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/07/lodi-grapegrowers-pray-for-tariffs

Explore Flavors in Wine

Ever watch a sommelier sniff and sip a wine and rattle a bunch of stuff that they smell and taste in the wine? Then you sit there scratching your head in wonderment, thinking “How do they do that?”

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/flavor-taste-winetasting-fruity-herbal-floral-spices

Weight Loss Drugs: the Black Swan that’s Threatening the Wine Industry

A few years ago, nobody had heard of Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro. Now they are part of a growing number of people’s daily life. And a possible threat to wine.

https://robertejoseph.substack.com/p/weight-loss-drugs-the-black-swan

Alcohol-free beer can cause gout, claims Korean rheumatologist

Non-alcoholic beer is often viewed as a healthier option, but one eminent doctor in Seoul warns that it can still trigger the inflammatory disease gout.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/alcohol-free-beer-can-cause-gout-claims-korean-rheumatologist/

Economic Impact Of U.S. Wine Industry Reaches $323 Billion, Supporting Family Wineries

A conversation with Jim Tresize, President of Wine America, highlights the importance of small family wine businesses across America, and their positive impact on the U.S. economy.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizthach/2025/07/15/economic-impact-of-us-wine-industry-reaches-323-billion-supporting-family-wineries/

Everything You Need to Know About Pine Ridge Vineyards’ Chenin Blanc + Viognier 

Here are just a few of the ways this bright, beloved blend stands out.

https://vinepair.com/articles/pine-ridge-vineyards-infographic/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=455467165c-JULY_15_2025&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-455467165c-38937345&mc_cid=455467165c&mc_eid=d42ed911dc

Existential Threat? Anatomy of Italy’s Wine Crisis

Recent reports from Italy, for example, paint an increasingly clear picture of a major wine-producing country in crisis.

https://wineeconomist.com/2025/07/15/crisis-italy/

Global alcohol volumes fell 1% in 2024

The dip was driven by declines in the US and China, but IWSR highlights emerging growth opportunities, from Tequila and no-alcohol beer in the US to premiumisation trends in China, Canada and Spain.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/global-alcohol-volumes-fell-1-in-2024/

Old Grand-Dad unveils 7YO bonded Bourbon

James B Beam Distilling, the home of Jim Beam, has released its annual Old Grand-Dad seven-year-old Bourbon.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/07/old-grand-dad-unveils-7yo-bonded-bourbon/

EU General Court blocks ‘Nero Champagne’ trademark

In a pivotal ruling with wide-reaching implications for the protection of geographical indications, the EU General Court has sided with Comité Champagne and INAO in rejecting the ‘Nero Champagne’ EU trade mark application.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/eu-general-court-blocks-nero-champagne-trademark/

THE PROSECCO ROAD IN ITALY: SPARKLING WINES AND SCENIC VINES

Majestic is “marca gioiosa et amorosa”, as the Italians would say. Or, as we would say, a place of joy and beauty.

https://www.on-magazine.co.uk/food/wine/the-prosecco-road-in-italy/

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

Website

Instagram

Listen On i Tunes

Listen On Soundcloud

Official Merchandise

Review Show Here

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Get updated On Liquor Industry News, Events, Sales And More!

http://bit.ly/1q72JV3

Find Us Online

www.franklinliquors.com

Like Us On Facebook

www.facebook.com/franklinliquorsMA

Follow Us On X

www.twitter.com/franklinliquors

Our Latest Specials

Liquor

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Wine

Wine Sale Items

Beer

Beer Sale Items

Beer Keg Information Page

We Are On Pointy

Browse Our Product List

Upcoming Events

Our Education Schedule

Franklin Wine Club 

Wine Explorers wanted!

Over 900 Club Members!

How To attend and join

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/

http://www.facebook.com/FranklinwineclubMA

Food And Wine Events

 Our TV Show And Facebook Page

Franklin Liquors Wine Education

Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW

Certified Specialist Of Spirits-CSS

Society Of Wine Educators

California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)

French Wine Scholar FWS-(Instructor) Wine Scholar Guild

Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)

Italian Wine Specialist-IWS*-North American Sommelier Association

Spanish Wine Scholar SWS-Wine Scholar Guild

Oregon Wine Expert OWE-Napa Valley Wine Academy

Italian Wine Maestro-The Vinitaly International Academy (First Class In USA)

Italian Wine Scholar IWS*-Wine Scholar Guild

SaveSave

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

07-14-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Wine?

What Are Sulfites in Wine

How the wine trade can stem declining sales

Which style of alcohol-free beer is better for your health?

A new study by German scientists has compared the impact of three styles of non-alcoholic beer — pilsner, mixed beer and wheat beer — on the health of a group of young men.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/which-style-of-alcohol-free-beer-is-better-for-your-health/

How To Tell If A Sparkling Wine Is Dry Or Sweet

Although many sparkling wines look similar when poured into a glass, the reality is that this delightfully bubbly beverage comes in a variety of flavors and levels of sweetness.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1888490/decoding-sparkling-wine-vocabulary/

7 Special-Edition Chartreuse Bottlings Everyone Should Know

Originally introduced in 1737, Chartreuse is a darling of the cocktail world, starring in drinks like the Last Word, the Bijou, and more.

https://vinepair.com/articles/special-edition-chartreuse-bottlings/

The Magic (and Madness) of Head-Trained Vines

In a few pockets of the Napa Valley—and up in Lodi, along with arid parts of Spain—you can see them: old and gnarled vines, planted 60, 70, 80 years ago and standing strong and sturdy, like elder statesmen.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/advanced-studies/head-trained-vines/

Do you know how to open a bottle of wine like an expert? 3 mistakes that almost everyone makes

Uncorking a bottle of wine takes patience and practice. We take a look at the methods that give the best results and common pitfalls.

https://en.as.com/latest_news/do-you-know-how-to-open-a-bottle-of-wine-like-an-expert-3-mistakes-that-almost-everyone-makes-n/

11 Of The Biggest Beer Recalls Of All Time

Most people don’t associate beer with product recalls.

https://www.chowhound.com/1890501/biggest-beer-recalls/

Does terroir matter to vodka drinkers?

For years, vodka producers have stressed the importance of terroir, but how much attention do consumers pay to it?

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/06/does-terroir-matter-to-vodka-drinkers/

Stanley Tucci under fire for sparking negative wine tourism

A new TV series by Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci explores the food and drink of Italy, but does the fame it brings to Italian cities have a darker side

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/stanley-tucci-under-fire-for-sparking-negative-wine-tourism/

New Wine

• WX Brands has launched Here by Chance, a new Paso Robles-appellate d wine brand. The brand’s Cabernet Sauvignon is made by Kip Lorenzetti, who served as lead winemaker at Paso’s Chronic Cellars. The new release is from the 2022 vintage and carries a suggested price of $25 a bottle. The new wine is rolling out across the U.S. through the summer. WX Brands’ Bread & Butter label is among the most best-selling wines in the U.S. priced above $15, growing 8% to 1.7 million cases last year, according to Impact Databank. 

Yes, You Can Keep Sake in the Fridge — for Quite a While

Many assume sake should be finished quickly once opened. But under the right conditions, it lasts far longer than expected.

https://www.foodandwine.com/does-sake-go-bad-11758804

Bordeaux vs. Burgundy: How France’s Two Wine Titans Truly Compare

The real differences between these iconic French wines, according to wine pros.

https://www.foodandwine.com/bordeaux-vs-burgundy-11760151

Lambrusco vs. Moscato: A Battle of Italian Bubblies

One word perfectly encapsulates Lambrusco and Moscato: ebullience.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/grapes-101/lambrusco-vs-moscato/

Here’s The Exact Wine List From The Bear’s Restaurant Menu (And Why It’s Actually Perfect)

While some thought attention to the wine served in the restaurant was generally missing from the last two seasons, the show revisits wine in its fourth season.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1897760/the-bear-season-4-restaurant-menu-wine-list/

Useful official advice on alcohol and your health (EU brochure)

 Sweden do take alcohol consumption really quite seriously, healthwise. The World Health Organization (WHO) would be impressed.

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/06/useful-official-advice-on-alcohol-and.html

The 40 Biggest Beer Companies in the World in 2025

Breweries all over the world are facing geopolitical headwinds, rising ingredient costs, and ever-changing shifts in consumer preferences, but that hasn’t stopped them from persevering and pumping out massive volumes of beer to serve to their customers across the globe.

https://vinepair.com/booze-news/40-biggest-beer-producers-2025/

Every Bottle in the Four Roses Single Barrel Collection, Explained

In the world of Kentucky bourbon, Four Roses often stands out for two reasons: its long, multifaceted history, and its use of 10 different bourbon recipes, derived from two mash bills and five individual yeast strains.

https://vinepair.com/articles/four-roses-single-barrel-collection-guide/

How the wine trade can stem declining sales

Wine’s downturn is cyclical believes Gallo CCO, Britt West, but – in an exclusive interview with db this week – he stressed that the trade needs to make changes right now to turn the tide.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/how-the-wine-trade-can-stem-declining-sales/

The Absolute Best Way To Store And Serve Grappa

Often served as a digestif after a satisfying meal, grappa has the potential to cap off your dinner on just the right note.

https://www.chowhound.com/1894811/best-way-store-and-serve-grappa/

Sparkling Wine And Coffee, Together At Last

Together they have created Panther Cuvée, a blend of Leelanau Peninsula Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris grapes with Panther’s Wonderland blend dark roast.

https://sprudge.com/sparkling-wine-and-coffee-together-at-last-359157.html

Oh lord, a blog from Lodi—the 2025 farewell

Farewell by Randy Caparoso

https://www.lodiwine.com/blog/Oh-lord–a-blog-from-Lodi-2025

Where Does the Phrase ‘Hold My Beer’ Come From?

Most commonly, it’s uttered before attempting something dangerous or reckless, but it can also serve as a setup for one-upping someone or performing a heroic act with relative ease.

https://vinepair.com/articles/hold-my-beer-phrase-origin-story/

UnCorking the Humble Cork

The cork oak tree (Quercus Sitbe) features prominently in the native landscape around the Mediterranean Sea not only in Portugal, but also Spain, Italy, North Africa, Greece and islands in the Mediterranean.

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/2022/7/23/uncorking-how-cork-is-made-carbon-neutral-combat-climate-change-with-sustainability

Buyer Beware: The Alcohol Level on Your Wine’s Label Might Be Lying to You

Federal law allows for a margin of error on wine alcohol labeling, but are producers taking liberties that mislead drinkers?

https://www.foodandwine.com/wine-label-alcohol-accuracy-11762606

Oregon Oak: Wooden It Be Nice?

Pioneers are once more heading for Oregon, but this time they are looking for wood rather than fur.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/06/oregon-oak-wooden-it-be-nice

How One Man’s Passion for French Wine Sparked a Challenge to Trump’s “Emergency” Tariffs

For nearly four decades, Victor Owen Schwartz has scoured the globe for the most authentic wine, spirits, and sake that he could find to bring back to the United States.

https://www.cato.org/free-society/summer-2025/how-one-mans-passion-french-wine-sparked-challenge-trumps-emergency

One of the World’s Largest Alcohol Companies Isn’t Giving Up on Wine

Constellation Brands is selling off its mass-market labels to focus on the high end of the industry.

https://robbreport.com/food-drink/wine/constellation-brands-winery-sale-1236845506/

Alcohol and CVD: An American Heart Association Scientific Statement

The American Heart Association (AHA) released a scientific statement in Circulation about alcohol use and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

https://www.thecardiologyadvisor.com/news/alcohol-and-cvd-an-american-heart-association-scientific-statement/

What Are Sulfites in Wine

Sulfites in wine often spark questions and concerns, leaving many people wondering what they really are and what role they play in the winemaking process.

https://integrishealth.org/resources/on-your-health/2025/june/what-are-sulfites-in-wine

How’s California’s wine industry doing these days? (Not great)

Alcohol consumption is seeing its lowest levels since 1962, and as early as next year, Ireland will be the first country to prominently print warnings on labels linking drinking to cancer and other illnesses.

https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/good-food/wine-industry-challenges-aging-cheese-bahrain-cookbook/california-wine-industry

Blowing Up the Spritz

Italy and the world need more local wine cocktails

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/blowing-up-the-spritz-the-world-needs-more-wine-cocktails-now

The 15 Most Underrated Wine Regions Around The World, According To Experts

The world’s most well-known wine regions — like Burgundy in France, Napa Valley in California, and Tuscany in Italy — are popular for several reasons

https://www.chowhound.com/1894733/most-underrated-wine-regions-around-the-world/

How much do we pay to visit wineries?

The fees currently being charged in the USA are pretty steep

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/06/how-much-do-we-pay-to-visit-wineries.html

Casamigos enters RTD space

George Clooney’s Tequila brand has created Casamigos Margaritas, a variety pack of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/07/casamigos-enters-rtd-space/

Can robots replace chemical herbicides in vineyards?

A company in China has launched a laser weeding robot which it claims has the ability to “replace chemical herbicides” for farmers.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/can-robots-replace-chemical-herbicides-in-vineyards/

How many drinks you can consume before getting a hangover

A medical professional has pinpointed the number of alcoholic drinks it takes before a hangover is likely to kick in the next day.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/07/how-many-drinks-you-can-consume-before-getting-a-hangover/

The Birthplaces of Every Popular Style of Beer

Over the centuries as beer production expanded and migrated, styles evolved and new categories emerged.

https://vinepair.com/articles/origin-of-popular-beer-styles-map/

Gen Z not shunning alcohol as much as thought, says survey

A rising proportion of Gen Z adults in several countries are drinking alcohol, a new survey has suggested, contradicting a popular image of this younger age group.

https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/gen-z-not-shunning-alcohol-as-much-as-thought-says-survey-560066/

Argentina recognises Scotch with ‘first ever’ GI

Scotch whisky has secured geographical indication (GI) in Argentina, becoming the first international product to do so.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/07/argentina-recognises-scotch-with-first-ever-gi/

Irish Vs Tennessee Whiskey: What’s The Difference?

Whiskey offers a globe-spanning selection of regional varieties.

https://www.chowhound.com/1900082/irish-vs-tennessee-whiskey-explained/

New protein and superfood vodka shakes up San Antonio’s cocktail world

The vodka, bottled in Houston, is gluten- and sugar-free and entirely plant-based.

https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/im-parched-protein-superfood-vodka/

Highland Vs Lowland Tequila: What’s The Difference?

For those not versed in agave spirits, tequila is just a cheap shot downed with lime or the liquor base for a margarita.

https://www.chowhound.com/1899576/tequila-difference-highland-lowland/

Why Gran Selezione Is the Most Exciting Chianti Classico You Haven’t Tried Yet

These next-level Chianti Classico wines are redefining Tuscany’s top reds.

https://www.foodandwine.com/gran-selezione-chianti-classico-wine-11764013

It’s Time We Stop Calling Wine ‘Masculine’ and ‘Feminine’

What are we really saying when we call wines “masculine” or “feminine”?

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/drinks-terms-defined/feminine-masculine-wine-descriptors/

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Wine?

While some alcoholic beverages contain smoky notes, wildfires can impart a unique flavor to a bottle of red wine.

https://www.the-scientist.com/how-does-wildfire-smoke-affect-wine-73049

Elevating Fast Food

Junk food has a time and a place in our lives.

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/2024/7/16/fast-food-wine-pairing

Myths busted: Why rinsing your beer glass matters more than you think

Beer glass rinsing 101

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/why-your-beer-glasses-get-rinsed/

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

Website

Instagram

Listen On i Tunes

Listen On Soundcloud

Official Merchandise

Review Show Here

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Get updated On Liquor Industry News, Events, Sales And More!

http://bit.ly/1q72JV3

Find Us Online

www.franklinliquors.com

Like Us On Facebook

www.facebook.com/franklinliquorsMA

Follow Us On X

www.twitter.com/franklinliquors

Our Latest Specials

Liquor

Liquor Sale Items

Wine

Wine Sale Items

Beer

Beer Sale Items

Beer Keg Information Page

We Are On Pointy

Browse Our Product List

Upcoming Events

Our Education Schedule

Franklin Wine Club 

Wine Explorers wanted!

Over 900 Club Members!

How To attend and join

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/

http://www.facebook.com/FranklinwineclubMA

Food And Wine Events

 Our TV Show And Facebook Page

Franklin Liquors Wine Education

Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW

Certified Specialist Of Spirits-CSS

Society Of Wine Educators

California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)

French Wine Scholar FWS-(Instructor) Wine Scholar Guild

Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)

Italian Wine Specialist-IWS*-North American Sommelier Association

Spanish Wine Scholar SWS-Wine Scholar Guild

Oregon Wine Expert OWE-Napa Valley Wine Academy

Italian Wine Maestro-The Vinitaly International Academy (First Class In USA)

Italian Wine Scholar IWS*-Wine Scholar Guild

SaveSave

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

06-30-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Smaller wineries lead economic turnaround in the US

Vintner vs. Cannabis Grower: Feuding Neighbors

Why You Should Never Keep Tequila In The Freezer

Devil’s Advocate: Nintendo’s Underappreciated Gift to the Wine Industry

The Japanese gaming giant, Nintendo, has just launched its new Switch 2 console. Fans across the world are eagerly lining up to buy it. Robert Joseph wonders whether the wine industry should be paying more attention.

https://www.meiningers-international.com/wine/opinion/devils-advocate-nintendos-underappreciated-gift-wine-industry

Why You Might Not Want To Use Whiskey Stones In Your Drinks

While an ice-cold drink is always welcome, nobody likes the idea of watering down their favorite cocktail or expensive liquor with tons of melted ice.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1876264/avoid-whiskey-stones-chill-drinks/

What Sets Left Bank and Right Bank Bordeaux Apart — and Why It’s Worth Knowing

Within the famed Bordeaux appellation, wines tend to fall into two categories: Left Bank and Right Bank. Here’s what the difference means to you.

https://www.foodandwine.com/left-vs-right-bank-bordeaux-11734271

California’s 5 Must-Visit Wine Regions, From North to South

More than 80 percent of all the wine made in the United States comes from California.

https://matadornetwork.com/read/california-wine-tour/

I Tried the Viral Jalapeño Sauvignon Blanc Trend—And Now I’m Ready for a Hot Wine Summer

It turns out there’s even some science at work.

https://www.realsimple.com/jalapeno-sauvignon-blanc-trend-11749734

Why France is switching from red to white wine

Some French wine regions are prioritising plantings of white varieties over red in a bid to follow evolving consumer tastes. Louis Thomas reports

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/why-france-is-switching-from-red-to-white-wine/

Is It Healthy To Drink Non-Alcoholic Wine Every Day? Experts Weigh In

It’s complicated.

https://www.delish.com/food/a64958047/is-non-alcoholic-wine-healthy/

Tackling Wine’s Sexual Violence Problem

The wine industry isn’t all about magical experiences in the vineyard and winery – for some it is a nightmare

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/06/tackling-wines-sexual-violence-problem

New Tequila

• Tequila Casa Azul has shifted production to a new distillery, La Roca, NOM 1646. The move, according to the company, is a step toward achieving the brand’s sustainability goals. La Roca distillery is operated by the Montes family, who also operate the Las Américas distillery, Casa Azul’s previous home. Production of Casa Azul has already begun at La Roca, with the first Tequilas produced there set to hit the market this summer. Casa Azul’s celebrity backers include the NFL’s Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce, actress Eiza González, and golfers Michelle Wie West and Brooks Koepka, among others.

Bourbon Fans, Meet Your New Favorite Pour: Eagle Rare 12

More age, more punch, same layered complexity.

https://www.foodandwine.com/buffalo-trace-eagle-rare-12-11750242

Confused About the Health Risks of Alcohol? So Are the Scientists

Two official reports, two opposite conclusions — and a decision that could reshape alcohol policy worldwide. Felicity Carter reports.

https://www.meiningers-international.com/wine/insights/confused-about-health-risks-alcohol-so-are-scientists

Liquor laws in Massachusetts are complicated. Will these bills simplify them?

Senate bills would legalize happy hour and let cities and towns — not the state — decide how many liquor licenses they’ll issue.

https://newbedfordlight.org/liquor-laws-in-massachusetts-are-complicated-will-these-bills-simplify-them/

Alcohol is killing more Americans today than 20 years ago

The increase was particularly pronounced during the Covid pandemic

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/alcohol-deaths-us-liver-disease-b2768870.html

How AVAs and vineyard designations on labels increase your enjoyment of wines

AVA stands for American Viticultural Area; a concept first established in 1980 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or ATF, to recognize places of origins of American wines, which appear on wine labels.

https://www.lodiwine.com/blog/Why-AVAs-and-vineyard-designations-on-labels-are-important

‘Prison island’ wine contract extended until 2050

A winegrowing project between Frescobaldi and the Penal Institute on Gorgona, an island in the Tuscan Archipelago, has been helping to rehabilitate inmates for more than a decade. db can exclusively reveal that the agreement has now been extended until 2050.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/latest-harvest-of-prison-island-wine-was-a-deeply-human-journey/

Tariff Threats Trouble Italian Producers

Uncertainty tariffs between Europe and the US is frustrating for Italian producers, but the reality would be a disaster.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/06/tariff-threats-trouble-italian-producers

This historic US winery can legally call its wine champagne

Dive into the 150-year old history of this unique south jersey spot

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/renault-winery-tour/

One Risk Of White Wine You’ve Never Heard Of, Research Reveals 

Many people believe wine is the “healthier” choice thanks to its antioxidant content, but a new study suggests that when it comes to cancer risk, neither red nor white wine gets a pass. And surprisingly, white wine may actually increase the risk of skin cancer, especially in women.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/research-reveals-the-link-between-white-wine-and-cancer

NA Wine & the Second Glass Test: Bolle Bubbles, LVMH’s Bet, South African Spritz

LVMH’s investment in French Bloom provides evidence, if any is needed, that NA wine is a thing.

https://wineeconomist.com/2024/11/19/na_wine/

Is this the next Tequila?

While Tequila continues to be the choice of many across the world, a lesser known spirit is stepping out of obscurity and onto the global stage.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/06/is-this-the-next-tequila/

Why Mexican hops could soon take off

Mexico, one of the world’s biggest beer producing countries, has always imported hops. But times are changing. db finds out more

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/why-mexican-hops-could-soon-take-off/

10 of the Most Absurd Drinking Gadgets Throughout History

Here, we’ll break down 10 accessories that each fall into one of those camps — or in some cases, all three.

https://vinepair.com/articles/weirdest-drinking-accessories/

Tablas Creek Vineyard Becomes First U.S. Winery to Bottle All 14 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grapes as Single-Varietal Wines

Tablas Creek Vineyard has announced the completion of a decades-long project: bottling all 14 traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape grape varieties from the Château de Beaucastel collection as single-varietal wines.

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/304081

Beer Aficionados Named the ‘Worst’ Beer in the World

The offending beer was called ‘thin, flavorless, and odd smelling.’

https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/beer-aficionados-named-the-worst-beer-in-the-world

Blue Moon, the orange-flavored beer, is being turned into a lip balm

The vibrant burst of orange flavor emanating from a Blue Moon is so lip-smacking good that it’s being turned into a lip balm.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/11/food/blue-moon-lip-balm

Nine words the wine industry has beaten to death

The wine industry loves to use certain words and phrases to describe vineyards, wines, wineries, and other things.

https://www.northwestwinereport.com/2025/06/nine-words-the-wine-industry-has-beaten-to-death.html

Is organic wine really better for you? Here’s what the experts say

Organic wine may sound like the healthier choice, but does it live up to the hype? Industry experts weigh in on additives, sulphites, and whether it’s worth making the switch.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/is-organic-wine-really-better-for-you-heres-what-the-experts-say/

What do you look for in a wine?

Straightforward question, difficult to answer

https://dmwineline.substack.com/p/what-do-you-look-for-in-a-wine?utm_medium=newsletter

Treasury Wine Estates opens new low- and no-alcohol wine facility

Sarah Parkes, general manager of sales and marketing for TWE’s global premium division, said the technology at the site “has helped us solve the flavor puzzle”.

https://www.just-drinks.com/news/treasury-wine-estate-australia-facility/

8 Things You Should Know About Ridge Vineyards, the Winery Behind California’s Iconic Monte Bello Bottle

From Monte Bello to Geyserville and Lytton Springs, Ridge Vineyards works with some of the most iconic vineyard sites in the history of American wine.

https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-ridge-vineyards/

Virginia’s Largest Winery Is Owned By A President’s Son

In Charlottesville, Virginia, Trump Winery spans a substantial 1,300 acres and sits beautifully at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1881420/largest-winery-virginia-local/

Sobering up with the latest wine trends

The global wine industry is evolving rapidly in response to growing health-conscious and moderation-driven drinking trends

https://www.foodprocessing.com.au/content/processing/news/sobering-up-with-the-latest-wine-trends-969676916

Hidden chemistry of wine: What actually shapes its texture?

The new Condensed Tannin Fragmentation Fingerprinting method tags every tannin fragment as it shatters inside a high‑resolution mass spectrometer.

https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-chemistry-of-wine-what-actually-shapes-its-texture/

Why You Should Never Keep Tequila In The Freezer

Freezing tequila can mute its aromas and flavors

https://www.chowhound.com/1882692/should-you-keep-tequila-freezer/

Ever Mixed Red Wine And Cola? Spain Did – It Is Called Kalimotxo

Think red wine has only one kind of charm? A bold Spanish twist might just change how you see your next pour.

https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/ever-mixed-red-wine-and-cola-spain-did-it-is-called-kalimotxo-8667116

Can you pick a wine based on the animal on the label?

These days, it’s hard to find a bottle of wine that hasn’t been given five stars by someone or placed in some sort of awards category. But could the winemaker’s choice of animal picture tell us anything about the wine’s quality, value, or both?

https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/food/can-you-pick-a-wine-based-on-the-animal-on-the-label

3 Tips That Will Instantly Level Up Your Sparkling Wine Game

It’s not all about Champagne.

https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-buy-better-sparkling-wine-11753903

The No. 1 Wine Varietal of the Summer, According to Sommeliers

Plus, five other styles to sip this season, including a varietal “full of personality” and perfect for picnics and potlucks.

https://www.bhg.com/best-summer-wine-varietal-2025-11746540

Some Federal Agencies Are Actually Getting More Efficient

Downsizing pushed the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to adopt tech solutions that it could have tried years ago.

https://reason.com/2025/06/14/some-federal-agencies-are-actually-getting-more-efficient/

Glass bottles found to contain more microplastics than plastic bottles

Drinks including water, soda, beer and wine sold in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles,

https://phys.org/news/2025-06-glass-bottles-microplastics-plastic.html

Brown Rice in Your Whiskey? Jim Beam’s Latest Whiskey Breaks All the Rules

A once-obscure experiment is now the backbone of a top-shelf release.

https://www.foodandwine.com/little-book-whiskey-chapter-9-none-for-granted-11756481

Debunking wine myths

• Jack Costa Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association for The News-Review

https://www.nrtoday.com/a_and_e/debunking-wine-myths/article_f02639bc-dfd4-413f-bba6-0d54e19d28af.html

Vintner vs. Cannabis Grower: Feuding Neighbors in Wine Country

A Buellton-area winemaker is asking the courts to allow his class-action lawsuit over the “strong stench” of pot to proceed to trial.

https://www.edhat.com/news/vintner-vs-cannabis-grower-feuding-neighbors-in-wine-country/

The ‘Olympics of Beer’ Just Crowned Its Champions — and These Trends Are Clear

The World Beer Cup featured 8,375 entries from breweries across 37 countries, highlighting key trends in style, strength, and the growing role of cider.

https://www.foodandwine.com/beer-and-cider-trends-world-beer-cup-2025-11756649

The plummeting demand for wine has many in the industry worried. But is the situation so dire?

According to the Silicon Valley Bank’s annual wine industry report, revenues for U.S. brands tumbled by 3.4 percent in 2024

https://www.montereycountynow.com/news/cover/the-plummeting-demand-for-wine-has-many-in-the-industry-worried-but-is-the-situation/article_6915dc31-35d6-4768-8732-a154590092b2.html

Smaller wineries lead economic turnaround in the US

According to the 2025 Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) direct to consumer shipping report, small wineries are helping the US wine industry to bounce back. Roger Morris reports

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/smaller-wineries-lead-economic-turnaround-in-the-us/

Josh Cellars Announces National Launch of Non-Alcoholic Sparkling

 Josh Cellars, the #1 selling premium wine brand in the U.S., today announced the national rollout of its first-ever non-alcoholic offering,

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/06/17/josh-cellars-announces-national-launch-of-non-alcoholic-sparkling/

Natural Wine Democratized ‘Winespeak.’ But Does It Make Any Sense?

Natural wine has exploded in recent years, with sales continuing to rise even as the global wine industry slumps.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/drinks-terms-defined/natural-wine-language-approachable/

Light Beer Continues To Reign In The US. Why Is It So Darn Popular?

There is no single reason that light beers have such a dominant hold on the American palate — at least not one that can be easily quantitatively pinned down.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1884239/why-light-beer-so-popular/

Fizzled out: French winemaker risks prison over champagne fraud

Prosecutors in eastern France on Wednesday requested a winemaker accused of producing and selling fake champagne in an elaborate scam be sentenced to four years in prison, with three years of the term suspended.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250611-fizzled-out-french-winemaker-risks-prison-over-champagne-fraud

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

Website

Instagram

Listen On i Tunes

Listen On Soundcloud

Official Merchandise

Review Show Here

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Get updated On Liquor Industry News, Events, Sales And More!

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Like Us On Facebook

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Wine Explorers wanted!

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http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/

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Food And Wine Events

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Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW

Certified Specialist Of Spirits-CSS

Society Of Wine Educators

California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)

French Wine Scholar FWS-(Instructor) Wine Scholar Guild

Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)

Italian Wine Specialist-IWS*-North American Sommelier Association

Spanish Wine Scholar SWS-Wine Scholar Guild

Oregon Wine Expert OWE-Napa Valley Wine Academy

Italian Wine Maestro-The Vinitaly International Academy (First Class In USA)

Italian Wine Scholar IWS*-Wine Scholar Guild

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Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

06-16-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

What Does the Pope Drink?

Real Wine Lovers Swallow

How Much Sugar Is Usually In A Glass Of Red Wine?

Want to sound like a wine pro? The wine buzzwords of 2025 you ought to know

The descriptors you should comprehend

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/wine-buzzwords-to-know-2025/

Europe’s wine regions facing most severe climate impact, study finds

Europe’s wine regions have experienced the most significant climate shifts among global viticultural areas, according to a new study published in PLOS Climate.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/05/europes-wine-regions-facing-most-severe-climate-impact-study-finds/

What’s the Difference Between French and American Oak in Wine?

All oak is not created equal. Here’s why the type of barrel used to age your wine matters and how it impacts what’s in your glass.

https://www.foodandwine.com/french-american-oak-difference-11743054

New Rum

Retired baseball legend David Ortiz has entered the spirits business with Ozama, a new rum brand distilled in the Dominican Republic. The brand is launching with three expressions—Blan co, Añejo, and Gran Añejo—all bottled at 40% abv and made from Dominican sugarcane. 2% of Ozama’s profits will be dedicated to cleaning up the rum’s namesake river and the surrounding communities. To launch the brand, Ortiz partnered with Drink2Success, led by industry veteran and former Avaline CEO Abbott Wolfe. Ozama’s three expressions retail between $30 and $45 a 700-ml. and are rolling out now in the Northeastern U.S. and Florida. 

A Complete Guide to Zweigelt, Your New Favorite Summer Red Wine

This affordable Austrian grape makes fresh and fruit-forward red wines.

https://www.foodandwine.com/zweigelt-red-wine-guide-11743390

What is an UGA?

Perhaps you’ve seen these letters on a bottle of Italian wine. But what does UGA mean? Filippo Bartolotta explains everything you need to know.

https://www.decanter.com/learn/what-is-an-uga-553601/

What Does ‘Intensity’ Mean in Wine?

When used to describe a wine, the term “intensity” refers to the strength or concentration of aromas on the nose and flavors on the palate.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/drinks-terms-defined/intensity-wine/

Paso Robles winery earns federal approval to bottle Balkan grape 

Opolo releases first American bottling of Montenegro-grown variety

https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/paso-robles-winery-earns-federal-approval-to-bottle-balkan-grape/211626/

The Best Value Merlots of 2025

When it comes to the best value Merlots of 2025, we check out this year’s stable.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/05/the-best-value-merlots-of-2025

Wine Inventory Tightens Across the US

SipSource shows declines in volume and SKUs as retailers and restaurants rethink the value of new product launches. Jeff Siegel reports.

https://www.meiningers-international.com/wine/insights/wine-inventory-tightens-across-us

New Vodka

Diageo has expanded Smirnoff vodka with a new offering, Electric Guava. The 25% abv drink is made with guava and ginger flavorings. It carries a suggested price of $13 a 750-ml. and between $1 and $1.25 for a 50-ml. Smirnoff Electric Guava is available across the U.S. Last year, Smirnoff was down 6% to just under 8 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank. 

Is Kosmic Kitty Wines the Next Liquid Death?

Meet Kosmic Kitty Wines, the cosmic-cool new label from Castle Rock Winery that’s rewriting the rules of wine: playful, premium, and unapologetically bold.

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/05/27/is-kosmic-kitty-wines-the-next-liquid-death/

5 Regions Where You Can Easily Find Aged Wines

One of wine’s most alluring properties is its ability to evolve over time.

https://vinepair.com/articles/wine-regions-for-aged-wines/

Why Consumers Really Buy Eco-Friendly Wines: New WMC Study Uncovers Surprising Insights

Sheep in the Vineyard as Part of Sustainable & Organic Viticulture. Getty

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/303631

How Much Sugar Is Usually In A Glass Of Red Wine?

We were curious too, so we turned to the experts to find out more.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1875513/how-much-sugar-glass-red-wine/

How England is emerging as a source of fine white wine

Had you asked me a decade ago whether England was capable of making fine, age-worthy, barrel-influenced white wine, my response would probably have been to shake my head – but now, I’ll answer with a nod

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/05/how-england-is-emerging-as-a-source-of-fine-white-wine/

How important is the wine label?

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then it makes sense more New World wineries are creating bottles with designer label treatments. Rebecca Lo looks into the role of the label in telling a wine’s story.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/how-important-is-the-wine-label/

Should You Be Putting Jalapeños in Your Sauvignon Blanc? A Wine Expert Weighs In

The latest TikTok trend wants to spice up your glass of white wine.

https://www.foodandwine.com/jalapenos-sauvignon-blanc-trend-11745102

Scientist claims you should only drink one glass of wine a YEAR

The human body can only safely consume one ‘large’ glass of wine every 12 months because it is too ‘toxic’, according to Professor David Nutt, a leading drug researcher at Imperial College London.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14765201/Scientist-drink-one-glass-wine-YEAR.html

The Best Value Tequilas of 2025

We look to Mexico for this week’s instalment of our search for the world’s best-value bottles.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/05/the-best-value-tequilas-of-2025

Real Wine Lovers Swallow

The old spit-versus-swallow debate kicks off again as one group claims spitters don’t get the full impact of a wine.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/06/real-wine-lovers-swallow

These Forgotten Whiskeys Survived Prohibition — and Now They’re Up for Auction

A historic whiskey collection is being uncorked — metaphorically — for the world to bid on.

https://www.foodandwine.com/pre-prohibition-american-whiskeys-sothebys-auction-june-2025-11749193

10 Expert-Recommended Red Wines That Taste Better Chilled

Stop putting ice cubes in your red wine this summer.

https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/cookware-reviews/g64917937/expert-recommended-chilled-red-wines/

No Cork, No Problem – The Perfect Fix For Fresh Wine Is Probably Already In Your Kitchen

Single winos like myself often go to great lengths to preserve the quality of our wine once a bottle has been opened

https://www.thetakeout.com/1877127/keep-leftover-wine-fresh-mason-jar/

The secret varietals hiding in your glass of Champagne

By now, you’re probably aware that Champagne is a sparkling wine produced in a specific region of France

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/champagne-grapes-guide/

What Does the Pope Drink? Inside the Vatican’s Quietly Influential Wine Scene

That’s right: The Vatican has a wine scene

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/podcasts/wine-enthusiast-podcast/vatican-city-wine-culture/

New Whisky

Heaven Hill has released Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond,  a new permanent addition to the brand’s largely seasonal lineup of limited releases. The new whiskey is made from a mash of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley and, as a bonded whiskey, is bottled at 50% abv. The release carries a suggested price of $60 a 700-ml. and will be available across the U.S. To celebrate the launch, Heaven Hill will host a series of activations and partnerships. 

This Wine Opener Removes the Fear From Popping a Bottle of Bubbly

Don’t be nervous about popping the cork ever again.

https://www.foodandwine.com/game-changers-champop-11738866

Everything You Need to Know About Washington State Wine

Only California produces more wine in America than the Evergreen State.

https://robbreport.com/food-drink/wine/lists/washington-state-wine-explainer-1236778452/

The Best Sonoma Wineries for First Time Visitors

400 wineries? No sweat. Here’s a cheat-sheet of our favorites.

https://www.sonomamag.com/best-sonoma-wineries-for-first-time-visitors/

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

Website

Instagram

Listen On i Tunes

Listen On Soundcloud

Official Merchandise

Review Show Here

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Get updated On Liquor Industry News, Events, Sales And More!

http://bit.ly/1q72JV3

Find Us Online

www.franklinliquors.com

Like Us On Facebook

www.facebook.com/franklinliquorsMA

Follow Us On X

www.twitter.com/franklinliquors

Our Latest Specials

Liquor

Liquor Sale Items

Wine

Wine Sale Items

Beer

Beer Sale Items

Beer Keg Information Page

We Are On Pointy

Browse Our Product List

Upcoming Events

Our Education Schedule

Franklin Wine Club 

Wine Explorers wanted!

Over 900 Club Members!

How To attend and join

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/

http://www.facebook.com/FranklinwineclubMA

Food And Wine Events

 Our TV Show And Facebook Page

Franklin Liquors Wine Education

Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW

Certified Specialist Of Spirits-CSS

Society Of Wine Educators

California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)

French Wine Scholar FWS-(Instructor) Wine Scholar Guild

Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)

Italian Wine Specialist-IWS*-North American Sommelier Association

Spanish Wine Scholar SWS-Wine Scholar Guild

Oregon Wine Expert OWE-Napa Valley Wine Academy

Italian Wine Maestro-The Vinitaly International Academy (First Class In USA)

Italian Wine Scholar IWS*-Wine Scholar Guild

SaveSave

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

06-02-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

A History of Winery Consolidation in America

Challenging the WHO “no safe level” dogma

How to Pick the Right Wine With Your Meal

The Industry Is Struggling, but Regional Vintners Think Wine Can Still Win

How lower demand, generational shifts in alcohol and potential Trump tariffs are affecting winemakers

https://www.comstocksmag.com/longreads/industry-struggling-regional-vintners-think-wine-can-still-win

Has Champagne become too expensive?

When considering the reasons for the declining demand for Champagne over the past two years, some blame price increases. So has this high-end fizz become too expensive?

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/03/has-champagne-become-too-expensive/

Why You May See Kirkland Signature Products On Local Liquor Store Shelves

This unusual circumstance stems from alcohol monopolies. If you’ve seen a rogue Kirkland scotch on the shelves, chances are you live in a control state.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1852266/why-kirkland-products-liquor-stores/

What’s the Difference Between Tequila and Mezcal?

Mezcal is more than just a smoky version of tequila.

https://www.foodandwine.com/tequila-vs-mezcal-differences-11731197

Whoopi Goldberg Is Launching Her Namesake Prosecco

The wine is a DOCG-certified, 100% organic Prosecco made from organic Glera grapes

https://www.marketwatchmag.com/whoopi-goldberg-is-launching-her-namesake-prosecco/

Here’s Why XXL Wine Is So Popular

XXL Wines are making waves across the wine world.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1851595/why-is-xxl-wine-popular/

New Wine

Wente Family Vineyards is debuting a permanent addition to the winery’s core portfolio, the 2024 Pacific Mist Pinot Grigio. Retailing at $18 a bottle, Pacific Mist is sourced from sustainable vineyards on California’s Central Coast, and follows other recent additions to the Wente range like Mount Diablo Highlands Red Blend and the Baily Hill Pinot Noir (both $20). Wente notes that super-premium California Pinot Grigio is up 21.7% in the last 52 weeks at retail, according to scan data from Circana. 

Hail destroys large portion of vineyards in Jumilla

On the 10th of May, a massive hailstorm ripped through the Jumilla wine region, a ‘super autonomous’ denomination of origin in Spain spanning both Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia.

https://www.hudin.com/hail-destroys-large-portion-of-vineyards-in-jumilla/

R.H. Drexel: Kelli White Has Entered the Chat

Now, a decade later, White has re-entered the wine book firmament with a much more down-to-earth offering. Her latest, Wine Confident, finds White’s voice relaxed, purposeful, focused.

https://jebdunnuck.com/2025/05/r-h-drexel-kelli-white-has-entered-the-chat/

Tequila’s purity problem under scrutiny

As a legal case challenges what “100% agave” really means, producers and regulators face growing calls for greater transparency. Industry veteran Brent Hocking weighs in on the standards, semantics and future of premium tequila.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/05/tequilas-purity-problem-under-scrutiny/

The Rise And Fall Of The Nostalgic Boone’s Farm Drink

Boone’s Farm was lower in alcohol at around 5% to 7.5% ABV, and it was only $2 a bottle.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1858040/nostalgic-boones-farm-drink-history/

Craving A Great Wine On A Budget? Here’s What To Look For On The Label

You’re looking for a delicious wine. You walk into the store and head straight for the sections for countries that you know will have a terrific selection.

https://www.chowhound.com/1860343/portugal-wine-cheaper-same-quality/

What to Serve with Red Wine

But if you want to make the most of it, knowing what to serve with red wine can make all the difference. The right food pairing doesn’t just taste better – it lifts the wine too.

https://london-post.co.uk/perfect-pairings-what-to-serve-with-red-wine/

9 of the best wine-tasting holidays in France

Want to glug a glass of perfectly pink rosé in Provence or stockpile bottles of shiraz in the Rhône Valley? These are the country’s best spots for a sip or two

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/best-wine-tasting-holidays-in-france-g3q7r79t0

Wines by the glass: How some restaurants do it right

A great selection of wines by the glass is in the long-term interests of the teetering restaurant and wine industries.

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/wines-by-the-glass/

Italy approves major changes to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano rules with new “Pieve” designation and stricter production standards

Amendment highlights historical parishes, enhances labeling transparency, and reinforces traditional winemaking practices for Tuscany’s renowned wine

https://www.vinetur.com/en/2025051687684/italy-approves-major-changes-to-vino-nobile-di-montepulciano-rules-with-new-pieve-designation-and-stricter-production-standards.html

More Woe for US Wine Industry

Changes at some well-known California brands bode ill for the wine industry’s future.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/05/more-woe-for-us-wine-industry

Gallo Winery practices threaten Fresno drinking water, regulators say

Central Valley water regulators want the world’s largest winery to stop using its wastewater on local crops — a decades-old waste management practice — because it’s threatening Fresno’s drinking water supply.

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article306005076.html#storylink=cpy

How Many Bottles Of Champagne Do You Need For 100 Guests?

When it comes to planning a big party, there are a lot of details to figure out.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1855294/how-many-champagne-bottles-100-guests/

The Latest on the Tequila Industry and a Push for Additive-Free Transparency

We spoke with Grover Sanschagrin, one of the founders of Tequila Matchmaker

https://www.insidehook.com/spirits/additive-free-tequila-transparency

What Sets Left Bank and Right Bank Bordeaux Apart — and Why It’s Worth Knowing

Within the famed Bordeaux appellation, wines tend to fall into two categories: Left Bank and Right Bank. Here’s what the difference means to you.

https://www.foodandwine.com/left-vs-right-bank-bordeaux-11734271

What’s the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey?

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon — this is what sets it apart.

https://www.foodandwine.com/bourbon-and-whiskey-differences-11734282

Is Red Or White Wine Healthier For You? Experts Weigh In

It all comes down to the skins.

https://www.delish.com/food-news/a64724038/red-vs-white-which-is-healthier/

Drinking Wine May Worsen GI Disorder Symptoms, New Study Says

Plus, how drinking may affect specific gastrointestinal disorders.

https://www.eatingwell.com/wine-gi-disorder-11734203

How to Pick the Right Wine With Your Meal

Grand Amari wine director Catherine Stratton Wenger has tips on sips.

https://www.wweek.com/drink/2025/05/13/how-to-pick-the-right-wine-with-your-meal/

The Difference Between Agave Spirits And Tequila

Tequila is undoubtedly the best known of the agave spirits

https://www.thetakeout.com/1854905/agave-spirits-vs-tequila-difference/

6 Signs Your Alcohol Has Gone Bad And Needs To Be Thrown Out

When it doubt, throw it out.

https://www.southernliving.com/when-to-throw-away-alcohol-11704939

Why Mexican Beer Is Traditionally Served With A Slice Of Lime

Order yourself a great-tasting Mexican lager (say, a crisp Dos Equis, Victoria, or Bohemia) and odds are it’ll arrive with a wedge of lime perched on the rim.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1855095/mexican-beer-lime-wedge/

What happens to wine as it ages?

Though the most dramatic changes wine undergoes occur during fermentation and élevage (the period between fermentation and bottling), wine remains dynamic until the moment of its consumption.

https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/what-happens-wine-it-ages

The “Napa Valley” Of Missouri Was The USA’s First Wine Region—So Why Haven’t You Heard Of It?

When we think of amazing US wine regions, we think of Napa Valley in California, the Columbia Valley in Oregon, or even the Napa Valley of the Rockies in Colorado. However, none of these is the original wine region of the US. In fact, that honor goes to a relatively unknown American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Missouri.

https://www.thetravel.com/napa-valley-of-missouri-augusta-first-wine-region-usa/

Wine, Beer or Cocktails: Which Is Healthiest?

Let’s be honest — many of us enjoy a drink now and then.

https://hartfordhospital.org/about-hh/news-center/news-detail?articleId=63900

Guess What? There’s Actually Good News for the Wine Industry

The wine industry has been plagued with capital-B Bad headlines as of late.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/bmo-wine-market-report/

A World of MAGA Liquor Is Exploding Online. But What If It’s Not Real?

A weird and winding investigation into the makers of Let’s Go Brandon Bourbon, Redneck Riviera, and 4547 Patriot Edition whiskey.

https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a64838651/maga-liquor-online-boom/

The Best Beers to Bring to a BBQ, According to 14 Pitmasters

The time has come to build your seasonal roster of excellent beers for picnics, barbecues, and other summertime gatherings, and to find out exactly which brews match up best with ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and other BBQ favorites,

https://vinepair.com/articles/best-beers-for-summer-bbq/

Jose Cuervo: additive-free narrative ‘overstated’

The parent company of Jose Cuervo believes there is a “misconception” about the use of additives in the Tequila industry, claiming they are “not harmful”.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/05/jose-cuervo-additive-free-narrative-overstated/

What’s driving the RTD boom?

The ready-to-drink (RTD) sector is changing, but what is leading the charge: spirits and mixers, hard seltzers, or pre-mixed cocktails?

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/05/whats-driving-the-rtd-boom/

Challenging the WHO “no safe level” dogma

A tale of weak associations and methodological issues.

https://worldoffinewine.com/news-features/no-safe-level-alcohol-consumption

A trademark expert weighs in on recent Yellow Tail counterfeit operation

One of the targeted wine brands – and the one receiving the most media attention – is Yellow Tail. Casella Family Brands has since confirmed that the counterfeit issue was localised to independent stores and did not extend to any of the major UK supermarkets.

https://www.drinkstrade.com.au/news/a-trademark-expert-weighs-in-on-recent-yellow-tail-counterfeit-operation/?utm_source=AfternoonBrief&utm_medium=newsletter

From The Chair: Are We Trying Too Hard To Explain Wine?

Since wine is an experiential product, wine writers have latitude to use personal insights and observations to create pieces that are impressionistic, opinionated and characterful.

https://www.circleofwinewriters.org/from-the-chair-are-we-trying-too-hard-to-explain-wine/

Tequila Isn’t the Only Spirit to Use Additives. Why Aren’t We Talking About the Others?

Spirits additives have been in the news a lot lately, almost solely in relation to tequila.

https://vinepair.com/articles/examining-additives-in-spirits/

To Find The Best German Wine, Look For The Grape Eagle

It’s not always easy to decipher German wine labels, but when in doubt, just look for the eagle to guide your next glass choice.

https://www.foodandwine.com/german-wine-quality-vdp-11737282

Why popularity of big wine styles is the trade’s ‘elephant in the room’

The wine trade, led by wine writers, have been talking up lighter, fresher, low alcohol styles of wine in recent years – but is that what the public actually wants?

https://www.the-buyer.net/opinion/popularity-big-wine-styles-keay

A History of Winery Consolidation in America

Today, the top 100 companies control almost 90% of US production, according to Wine Business Monthly figures.

https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/articles/b/jeff-siegel/posts/a-history-of-winery-consolidation-in-america

Barbera d’Asti gains trademark

The term ‘Barbera d’Asti’ has gained a collective trademark from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/05/barbera-dasti-gains-trademark/

Wine vending machines land in Provence, stirring debate among French producers

Vineyards in southern France are trialling roadside wine vending machines – but the move is proving controversial in a country where personal service and tradition are key to wine culture.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/05/wine-vending-machines-land-in-provence-stirring-debate-among-french-producers/

Why You Shouldn’t Store Whiskey Outside Of Its Original Bottle

We received this advice from Matt Klette, the head of advocacy for whiskey at Proximo Spirits,

https://www.thetakeout.com/1866336/whiskey-storage-mistake-keep-original-bottle/

The Supreme Court Said States Can’t Discriminate in Alcohol Sales. They’re Doing It Anyway.

Two decades after Granholm v. Heald was supposed to end protectionist shipping laws, states and lower courts continue to undermine the decision.

https://reason.com/2025/05/24/the-supreme-court-said-states-cant-discriminate-in-alcohol-sales-theyre-doing-it-anyway/

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

Website

Instagram

Listen On i Tunes

Listen On Soundcloud

Official Merchandise

Review Show Here

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Get updated On Liquor Industry News, Events, Sales And More!

http://bit.ly/1q72JV3

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Like Us On Facebook

www.facebook.com/franklinliquorsMA

Follow Us On X

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Wine Explorers wanted!

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How To attend and join

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/

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Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW

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Society Of Wine Educators

California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)

French Wine Scholar FWS-(Instructor) Wine Scholar Guild

Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)

Italian Wine Specialist-IWS*-North American Sommelier Association

Spanish Wine Scholar SWS-Wine Scholar Guild

Oregon Wine Expert OWE-Napa Valley Wine Academy

Italian Wine Maestro-The Vinitaly International Academy (First Class In USA)

Italian Wine Scholar IWS*-Wine Scholar Guild

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Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

05-19-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Study finds toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in beer

Why Alcohol Hits Women Harder

Drinking Wine Really is Good for You

Paris Cafés Caught Ripping Off Tourists With Cheap Wine

Part of the allure of visiting Paris is the idea of sitting at a busy sidewalk café casually sipping a glass of French wine.

https://vinepair.com/booze-news/paris-cafes-cheating-tourists-cheap-wine/

Most popular beer in America revealed in new study

See the favorite beer in your state: ‘Surprising patterns’

https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/most-popular-beer-america-revealed-new-study

China’s Non-Alcoholic Wine Booms Is All Business

As non-alcoholic wine rides a wave of popularity across Europe and North America, China is seeing its own boom — but for very different reasons

https://vino-joy.com/2025/04/28/chinas-non-alcoholic-wine-booms-is-all-business/

The most valuable wine brands over recent years

Things are a bit unsettled in the global wine world at the moment, for reasons of which you are presumably well aware

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-most-valuable-wine-brands-over.html

A beginner’s guide to sherry wine, an incredibly misunderstood drink

Sherry deserves another chance. Here’s a breakdown of the classic fortified wine

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/what-is-sherry-wine-beginners-guide/

On Italian wine labels, do the words ‘Classico’ or ‘Riserva’ mean better quality?

How to Drink Better: In most cases, a wine from the Classico region will be better; the same cannot be said of Riserva wines

https://www.irishtimes.com/food/drink/2025/04/27/on-italian-wine-labels-do-the-words-classico-or-riserva-mean-better-quality/

Ever experienced a headache from drinking red wine? Researchers may have identified a reason

Quercetin, a bioactive flavonoid present in red wine, can impair alcohol metabolism

https://peterattiamd.com/quercetin-and-red-wine/

Why Alcohol Hits Women Harder

Alcohol use among women has surged to match men’s rates, but women face far greater health risks even at lower consumption levels.

https://neurosciencenews.com/women-aud-neuroscience-28810/

Massachusetts has top ranked craft brewing, but the state’s favorite beer is more basic

States like Colorado and Oregon may be well known for their love of beer, but Massachusetts is home to the second best craft brewing company in the US, according to The Brewers Association.

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/news/2025/05/04/massachusetts-favorite-beer-states-top-craft-brewing-boston-beer-co/83371309007/

What Is Agave Syrup And Is It Better For You Than Sugar?

This is what you need to know about agave syrup.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1849726/what-is-agave-syrup/

New On The Rocks

Suntory Global Spirits has extended cocktail brand On the Rocks into canned cocktails with three new sparkling options. The trio—Sparkling Lime Margarita, Mango & Mint Mojito, and Cucumber & Lemongrass Mule—are at 10% abv and come in 355-ml. cans. Like all of On the Rocks’ cocktails, the new canned varieties are made with Suntory spirits brands, with the Margarita using Tres Generaciones Tequila, the Mojito using Cruzan rum, and the Mule using Effen vodka. The new On the Rocks cans are now available in 4-packs across the U.S. On the Rocks grew 7% to just under 800,000 cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank.

Is Your Local Wine Actually Local? It’s Not So Simple

Consumers don’t necessarily parse the provenance of grapes—or site of production—when they enter a winery, and it can be misleading when grapes are not locally sourced.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/emerging-wine-regions-texas-outside-wineries/

Do You Know the ‘20 Minute Rule’ for Serving Wine?

While it’s not an exact science, there’s a very helpful tip to keep in mind when serving wine at home known as “the 20 minute rule.”

https://vinepair.com/articles/wine-20-minute-rule-explained/

Australian wine exports drop to 20-year low, excluding sales to China

Exports to markets excluding China have declined to their lowest volume in more than 20 years as consumers drink less.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-01/australia-global-wine-exports-decline-excluding-china/105228348

Drinking Wine Really is Good for You

The science keep piling up: wine is good for your health, no matter what the temperance lobby says.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/05/drinking-wine-really-is-good-for-you

New RTD

• Spirit of Gallo has launched Lucky One Lemonade, the latest spirits-based RTD from the company. The 4.5% abv cocktail comes in four flavors—Original , Peach, Blueberry, and Raspberry—all at 100 calories per 355-ml can and available in individual flavor 4-packs ($11) and variety 8-packs ($20). The new brand is a collaboration with business personality Dave Portnoy and his dog, Miss Peaches, and the brand has pledged to raise $1 million for rescue dogs in the U.S. The brand is working with LifeLine Animal Project and Best Friends Animal Society as part of the “Our Pack Gives Back” program, running through September 1st. Lucky One Lemonade is now available across the U.S. 

Alaska introduces cancer warnings to bars and liquor stores

Alaska will become the first US state to introduce signage with health warnings linking excessive alcohol consumption to colon and breast cancer.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/alaska-introduces-cancer-warnings-to-bars-and-liquor-stores/

No One Wants to Talk About the Oversupply of Scotch and Bourbon

Across the industry, a pool of surplus whiskey is growing.

https://vinepair.com/articles/global-whiskey-oversupply/

Champagne could reduce risk of cardiac arrest, study suggests

The moderate consumption of white wine and Champagne could lower the risk of a sudden cardiac arrest, according to a new study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/champagne-could-reduce-risk-of-cardiac-arrest-study-suggests/

Beer and whisky waste to be made into leather alternative

Arda Biomaterials has received US$5.25 million in funding to turn beer waste into an eco-friendly leather alternative.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/beer-and-whisky-waste-to-be-made-into-leather-alternative/

What the Trump Tariffs Mean for the US Fine Wine Market

Even fine wine isn’t immune to the effects of tariffs, finds Jeff Siegel. That’s why those working in fine wine are holding their breath.

https://www.meiningers-international.com/wine/insights/what-trump-tariffs-mean-us-fine-wine-market

Why Blaufränkisch Wine Is a Sommelier Favorite

Industry pros call this underrated Austrian red wine ‘seriously fun.’

https://www.foodandwine.com/blaufraenkisch-red-wine-guide-11730132

The Official Guide to Ouzo — Greece’s National Drink

This anise-flavored aperitif will transport you to seaside summers in Greece.

https://www.foodandwine.com/guide-to-greek-ouzo-11729164

I Cook For A Living & I’m BEGGING You To Stop Using Cooking Wine

Here’s what you should use instead.

https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/kitchen-secrets/a64689022/stop-using-cooking-wine/

Devils River Distillery files for bankruptcy

Dave Bautista-backed Devils River Distillery in Texas has become the latest whiskey maker to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/05/devils-river-distillery-files-for-bankruptcy/

Diageo sued over ‘100% agave’ Tequila claims

Global drinks giant Diageo is facing a new legal challenge over the purity of two of its most celebrated tequila brands, Casamigos and Don Julio.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/05/diageo-sued-over-100-agave-tequila-claims/

The Famous Italian Wine Grape that is Not (Yet) Famous

Who’s heard of the Italian white variety Famoso, which means famous in Italian?

https://verovino.com/vero-blog/famoso-white-wine-grape-nearly-extinct-romagna-italy-rediscovered

Wine Fraud Rocks Switzerland

Fast cars, espionage, forgery and fake blends all crop up in Swiss fraud cases involving Spanish bulk wine.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/05/wine-fraud-rocks-switzerland

Study finds toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in beer

A new RTI study finds toxic “forever chemicals” in many beers, linking PFAS contamination to municipal water used in the brewing process and raising concerns about everyday exposure.

https://www.wral.com/lifestyle/food/beer-forever-chemicals-may-2025/

To Be a True Wine Connoisseur, Do You Need to Triple Blind Taste?

You might think that a tasting can’t get any blinder than that, but indeed it can: “Triple blind tastings” up the ante.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/advanced-studies/triple-blind-tasting/

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

Website

Instagram

Listen On i Tunes

Listen On Soundcloud

Official Merchandise

Review Show Here

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Get updated On Liquor Industry News, Events, Sales And More!

http://bit.ly/1q72JV3

Find Us Online

www.franklinliquors.com

Like Us On Facebook

www.facebook.com/franklinliquorsMA

Follow Us On X

www.twitter.com/franklinliquors

Our Latest Specials

Liquor

Liquor Sale Items

Wine

Wine Sale Items

Beer

Beer Sale Items

Beer Keg Information Page

We Are On Pointy

Browse Our Product List

Upcoming Events

Our Education Schedule

Franklin Wine Club 

Wine Explorers wanted!

Over 900 Club Members!

How To attend and join

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/

http://www.facebook.com/FranklinwineclubMA

Food And Wine Events

 Our TV Show And Facebook Page

Franklin Liquors Wine Education

Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW

Certified Specialist Of Spirits-CSS

Society Of Wine Educators

California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)

French Wine Scholar FWS-(Instructor) Wine Scholar Guild

Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)

Italian Wine Specialist-IWS*-North American Sommelier Association

Spanish Wine Scholar SWS-Wine Scholar Guild

Oregon Wine Expert OWE-Napa Valley Wine Academy

Italian Wine Maestro-The Vinitaly International Academy (First Class In USA)

Italian Wine Scholar IWS*-Wine Scholar Guild

SaveSave

Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

05-05-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Sweet vs. Dry Vermouth: What’s the Difference?

How to be an eco-conscious wine consumer

Prohibitionists Still Writing Alcohol Rules

What Is Fortified Wine And Why Is It So Cheap?

If you’re a devoted wine enthusiast who gets super-hyped at the chance to explore different wines from around the globe, then at some point, you’ve likely crossed paths with fortified ones.

https://www.chowhound.com/1832036/what-is-fortified-wine/

How Ukraine has tamed the “wild horse” Odesa Black grape variety

Once regarded as the “wild horse” of all Ukrainian grape varieties, winemakers have over the last few years worked how to tame Odesa Black

https://www.the-buyer.net/insight/how-ukraine-has-tamed-wild-horse-odesa-black-to-make-quality-wines?utm_source=AfternoonBrief&utm_medium=newsletter

What Exactly Is A Bourbon Neck Pour? The Science (And Myth) Behind The Phenomenon

There are several bourbon myths that can be debunked, but the “bourbon neck pour” is one that is fiercely debated between bourbon experts.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1828741/what-is-bourbon-neck-pour/

Champagne Sales Are Slumping. Is Prosecco to Blame?

The overarching trend for the past 25 years is a clear line sloping downward

https://vinepair.com/articles/is-prosecco-growth-fueling-champagne-slump/

What exactly is beer salt?

Beer salt, flavored salt that has been designed to complement beer, has become more of a prevalent trend of late. db finds out more.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/what-exactly-is-beer-salt/

A wine writer needs a wine education

Words doth not issue without the seeds of learning.

https://newsletter.hudin.com/p/a-wine-writer-needs-a-wine-education

How long does alcohol stay in your system?

Alcohol typically stays in your system for about 1 hour per standard drink consumed

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/04/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your.html

Sonoma-Cutrer Releases First Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

Driven by strong market demand, this new white wine will be a permanent addition to Sonoma-Cutrer’s core wholesale portfolio.

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/newreleases/article/300800

13 Kentucky Derby Cocktails for All-Day Revelry 

Read on for 13 delicious cocktails that will have you off to the races.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/recipes/cocktail-recipes/kentucky-derby-drinks/

How Is Non-Alcoholic Wine Made?

Non-alcoholic wine is having a serious moment.

https://www.chowhound.com/1834135/how-non-alcoholic-wine-is-made/

Global wine consumption falls to six-decade low as inflation bites

World wine consumption fell 3.3% last year to the lowest in more than six decades, with inflation weighing on purchasing power, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine reported.

https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/global-wine-consumption-falls-to-six-decade-low-as-inflation-bites-554774/

What Is Carbonic Maceration in Winemaking and How Does It Work?

This technique can make a wine taste like a watermelon Jolly Rancher.

https://www.foodandwine.com/carbonic-maceration-in-winemaking-11714795

Tequila sector tussles over additive-free claims

Factions in the Tequila industry are at loggerheads over the use of additives in the liquid as Mexican regulations prevent brands from labelling their products with the term, causing outcry among the smaller players.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/04/tequila-sector-tussles-over-additive-free-claims/

Wine Parties Like It’s 1961

Wine production is at its lowest since 1961, but that’s okay – consumption has also fallen to a 55-year low.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/04/wine-parties-like-its-1961

How To Take Advantage of ‘Share & Pair Sundays’

The campaign is the latest endeavor by the founders of the “Come Over October” campaign created in 2024 by three wine industry professionals: wine writer Karen MacNeil, author of the Wine Bible,

https://www.winewithourfamily.com/post/take-advantage-share-pair-sundays

A new era for Champagne tourism

Champagne is now embracing a new identity: that of a world-class, welcoming wine destination. As cellar doors open and luxury experiences unfold, both historic Maisons and passionate growers are redefining the region for modern wine lovers.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/a-new-era-for-champagne-tourism/

America’s struggling wine industry is getting crushed by global tariffs and Canada’s retaliation to them

Even if the tariffs were to be reversed tomorrow, one wine business leader said, it would take “at least a year, if not longer, for my industry to recover.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/american-wine-global-tariffs-canada-boycott-rcna201296

Millennials Aren’t Killing the Wine Industry. They’re Changing It.

They are also powerful. With 83 million millennials in the U.S., and annual retail expenditures of $1.9 trillion, when they speak with their wallets, the wine industry should listen.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/millennials-wine-collecting/

How to Read a Wine Label: A Beginner’s Guide to Decoding Your Bottle

If you’re new to drinking wine or simply don’t know what all those terms on the label mean, here’s a quick guide to explaining everything.

https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/how-to-read-a-wine-label-a-beginners-guide-to-decoding-your-bottle/

Rethinking Wine’s Red Blends

Red blends can be weird, but also beautiful, and they can also create moments of joy and delight.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/04/rethinking-wines-red-blends

Three-tier Parity

In the liquor world the lack of parity between the tiers is obvious to someone with firsthand knowledge of the industry.

https://irishliquorlawyer.com/liquor-industry-insights/three-tier-parity/

It’s not tariffs, but this is the main reason why sales are falling for America’s favorite beer

Modelo’s First Sales Dip in Over a Decade

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/its-not-tariffs-but-this-is-the-main-reason-why-sales-are-falling-for-americas-favorite-beer/articleshow/120384991.cms?from=mdr

A Beginner’s Guide to the Agave Species Used to Make Mezcal

Tequila can only be made from Blue Weber agave, while mezcal can be made from a variety of different species.

https://www.foodandwine.com/mezcal-agave-species-guide-11717207

What is the best way to open sparkling wine?

How to Drink Better: Never point the bottle at anyone as a popping cork can injure or blind; this happens more often than you think

https://www.irishtimes.com/food/drink/2025/04/20/john-wilson-what-is-the-best-way-to-open-sparkling-wine/

Champagne’s Heavy-handed Herbicide Habit

Despite repeated promises to cut back on herbicide use in Champagne, the message doesn’t appear to be getting across.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/04/champagnes-heavy-handed-herbicide-habit

What is triple sec? The underrated hero of your favorite cocktails

What exactly is triple sec?

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/what-is-triple-sec/

Sommeliers Say You Should Never Pair Wine With This Vegetable — Are They Wrong?

Four things to keep in mind when pairing wine with artichokes

https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-pair-wine-with-artichokes-11719999

Inside the High-Tech Arms Race to Make the Coldest Martini

Making a cold martini and keeping it that way was once as easy as throwing half of it in a sidecar, a simple-yet-effective carafe that sits nestled in ice until it’s time to refill.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/coldest-martini/

How Trump’s tariffs could affect CA wine

But tariffs don’t just affect wine sellers. Winemakers could face higher costs on bottles, since glass is mostly imported from China, as well as labels, corks, wooden stakes for vines and more.

https://calmatters.org/newsletter/trump-tariff-wine-ports-newsletter/

New White Claw

RTD and spirits brand White Claw has launched ClawTails, a new line of cocktail-inspired malt-based seltzers. ClawTails are at 7% abv and come in four flavors: Strawberry Cosmo, Mango Margarita, Blackberry Mojito, and Tropical Mai Tai. The company notes that the new releases are made with no artificial sweeteners and are made with fruit juice. ClawTails are available in a variety 12-pack of 12-ounce cans as well as individual 19.2-ounce cans for the Strawberry Cosmo and Mango Margarita flavors

Are consumers ready to embrace AI-powered drinks picks?

44% of US consumers would trust artificial intelligence (AI) to choose a bottle of wine or spirits for their own personal enjoyment, according to a new study from alcohol e-commerce platform Drinks.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/are-consumers-ready-to-embrace-ai-powered-drinks-picks/

4 of the Most Cringeworthy Sparkling Wine Fails on TV

When it comes to sparkling wine, there’s always a lot of pressure to open the bottle correctly, and maybe even with a bit of style.

https://vinepair.com/articles/biggest-sparkling-wine-fails-on-television/

Fame on the rocks: 8 celebrity liquor brands you can try right now

From Beyoncé’s whiskey to The Rock’s tequila, here’s how Hollywood is pouring profits

https://qz.com/celebrity-liquor-brands-beyonce-the-rock-jason-momoa-1851777530

Prohibitionists Still Writing Alcohol Rules

Joe Biden’s influence remains strong in a secret plan to get prohibitionists to write US government policy on alcohol.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/04/prohibitionists-still-writing-alcohol-rules

New Long Drink

• The Finnish Long Drink has released the Zero Sugar Variety Pack, the latest lower calorie option from the spirits-based RTD brand. The new 12-pack features three flavors—Citrus, Peach, and Pineapple—all at 5% abv and 99 calories per can. The Peach and Pineapple flavors are currently exclusively available in the 12-pack, which is now in retailers across the U.S. In addition, the brand is accompanying the launch with a new marketing tagline “Not a Seltzer” to help differentiate it from other RTDs. Last year, the Finnish Long Drink was at 2.7 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank. 

Why German beer is disappearing

Germany, historically revered for its brewing prowess, is seeing its beer reputation wane. db finds out why.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/why-german-beer-is-disappearing/

See how much your CT town made from ‘nip’ bottle sales in the last 6 months

Over the last six months, between Oct. 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, 48.9 million nips were sold in Connecticut, totaling 13,000 gallons, enough to fill a standard, backyard, in-ground swimming pool.

https://www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/article/ct-nips-nickel-per-nip-fireball-smirnoff-vodka-20288213.php

Expertise in Wine Matters Now More Than Ever Before

Now is not the time to advocate for playing tennis without the net.

https://tomwark.substack.com/p/expertise-in-wine-matters

‘Alarming’ increase in levels of forever chemical TFA found in European wines

Wines produced after 2010 showed steep rise in contamination of trifluoroacetic acid, analysis finds

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/23/alarming-increase-forever-chemical-tfa-european-wines

New RTD

Agave Boom Margaritas, a new line of wine-based RTD cocktails, have launched in the U.S. The brand is launching with eight flavors—Cucumber -Jalapeño, Lime, Mango-Chamoy, Passion Fruit, Piña-Coco, Watermelon, White Peach, and Strawberry—all at 13.9% abv and made from Agave wine. Agave Boom Margaritas are produced at Casa Maestri distillery and imported by Platinum Brands LLC. Each flavor is available in a 200-ml. plastic bottle that’s shaped like an agave piña.

Why Gen Z is drinking less alcohol

A report by Rabobank has shunned the narrative that Generation Z is consuming less alcohol because of health concerns linked to social media, calling it “greatly overblown”.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/04/why-gen-z-is-drinking-less-alcohol/

Freisa: Piedmont’s forgotten grape making a comeback

Long overshadowed by Nebbiolo, Freisa is reclaiming its place among Piedmont’s prized native grapes. With a bold personality and growing support from pioneering winemakers, this once-overlooked variety is drawing new attention both at home and abroad.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/freisa-piedmonts-forgotten-grape-making-a-comeback/

Which wine regions are finding success in India, and why?

As international brands set their sights on new horizons, Sonal Holland MW decodes the consumer trends and taste preferences of India’s fast-evolving wine market.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/which-wine-regions-are-finding-success-in-india-and-why/

How to be an eco-conscious wine consumer

Our purchasing decisions sometimes do go beyond what’s in the glass

https://dmwineline.substack.com/p/how-to-be-an-eco-conscious-wine-consumer?utm_medium=newsletter

Vino Incognito: Can Private Label Wines Help Ease Bulk Surplus?

Retailers should take advantage of cheap bulk wine to create private label entries.

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/04/22/vino-incognito-can-private-label-wines-help-ease-bulk-surplus/

Vermont lawmakers look at proposed new alcohol tax

A new bill might put an additional tax on the booze you buy.

https://www.wcax.com/2025/04/22/lawmakers-look-proposed-new-alcohol-tax/

Why Chinese Food Doesn’t Care About Your Wine Rules 

The issue of what drink to pair with Chinese food is an interesting and ongoing debate for wine enthusiasts.

https://vino-joy.com/2025/04/22/why-chinese-food-doesnt-care-about-your-wine-rules/

We Tried ‘Jalapeño Sauvignon Blanc’ So You Don’t Have To

A new, semi-sacriligious beverage trend is taking off on TikTok

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/jalapeno-sauvignon-blanc-trend-tiktok/

Sweet vs. Dry Vermouth: What’s the Difference?

Here’s a guide to these essential Manhattan and Martini ingredients — plus where bianco fits in.

https://www.foodandwine.com/sweet-vs-dry-vermouth-11721692

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

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Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

04-21-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Are the Wine Tariffs Gone? Not So Fast

Trump tariff explainer: the main takeaways

How to Beat Wine Tariffs

8 Things You Should Know About Louis Jadot, One of Burgundy’s Largest Producers

Founded in 1859 by Louis Henry Denis Jadot, Maison Louis Jadot is easily one of the most recognizable French wine brands in the United States.

https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-louis-jadot/

Trump tariff explainer: the main takeaways

After weeks of speculation, Trump has announced his global roll-out of tariffs. db distills the latest from the President’s executive order.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/trump-tariff-explainer-the-main-takeaways/

How the Latest Wine Tariffs Could Crush the Wine Industry

New tariffs could create financial chaos for wine importers, ultimately raising prices for consumers.

https://www.foodandwine.com/trump-wine-tariffs-11708031

Ozempic Curbs Drinking—So What Does That Mean for the Alcohol Industry?

An estimated 15 million Americans are currently taking semaglutide weight loss drugs, which are proven to impact alcohol consumption. Could this be the latest threat to the beverage industry?

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/ozempic-curbs-drinking-so-what-does-that-mean-for-the-alcohol-industry/

Texas White Oak Used to Age Texas Wine

Nobody is more proud of their home state than Texans. So Bending Branch’s new wines aged with Texas white oak should find a receptive market.

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/300270

New Bourbon

• Jefferson’s Bourbon, part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio, has announced a new cask strength, limited edition whiskey. The 8-year-old Bourbon is bottled at 65% abv and carries a suggested price of $70 a 750-ml. Jefferson’s Reserve Cask Strength is rolling out now in limited quantities across the U.S. Last year, Jefferson’s was at 139,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank. 

Top 10 style trends in Champagne

Following an extensive blind tasting for the Champagne Masters last month, I’ve have picked out my top 10 trends in Champagne style right now.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/top-10-style-trends-in-champagne/

How to Beat Wine Tariffs

Some creative “solutions” from the land of creativity

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/how-to-beat-wine-tariffs-italian-style

Mexican Vs American Lager: What’s The Difference?

Lagers may not be as simple as you think, though, and the easy drinking brew is a popular beer variety that can be crafted in an American and Mexican style.

https://www.mashed.com/1818719/mexican-v-american-lager-dfferences/

Is Japanese whisky struggling to fight fakes?

The industry body representing Japanese whisky has announced plans to register the spirit for geographical indication (GI) and reinforce labelling standards for the category to combat consumer “confusion”.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/04/is-japanese-whisky-struggling-to-fight-fakes/

Italian Wine Podcast Special Report: “Is Prosecco Still America’s Darling? New Insights from Somm.ai”

Prosecco continues to tickle the American taste buds, holding strong as the preferred sparkling wine in restaurants across the U.S., according to a new market analysis from the Italian Wine Podcast in collaboration with Somm.ai, a leader in wine industry data and analytics.

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/300090

Does Bourbon Really Get Better With Age?

Bourbon is a story captured in a bottle.

https://www.mashed.com/1818854/bourbon-better-with-age-truth/

What Does It Mean When A Beer Is Dry?

Moisture is, famously, the essence of wetness, and, to further borrow a phrase, wetness is the essence of beer. So how the heck can some beer varieties be categorized as “dry”?

https://www.chowhound.com/1825483/what-is-dry-beer/

What Does The Proof Of Alcohol Mean And How Is It Related To ABV?

When shopping for spirits, you might see two different values on labels: “ABV,” or alcohol by volume, and “proof.”

https://www.tastingtable.com/1822366/what-does-proof-mean-alcohol-vs-abv/

Why Food Tastes Better When You’ve Had A Little Booze

Anyone who drinks alcohol will swear that pasta doesn’t taste the same when it’s not accompanied with wine or that beer makes a burger that much more satisfying.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1822988/why-food-tastes-better-drunk

How Will Tariffs on Every Imported Bottle of Wine Impact U.S. Consumers?

President Trump’s global trade strategy means higher wine prices—10 percent for New Zealand, 20 percent for Italy, France and Spain, 30 percent for South Africa—at a time when the industry is already hurting

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/trump-tariff-plan-hits-every-imported-bottle-of-wine

How A Classic British Cocktail Became A New Orleans Icon

As we move into the spring season, many Southern areas are already experiencing warm weather conditions that will only get hotter as we head into summer.

https://www.southernliving.com/what-is-pimms-cup-11704838

Expert Tips for Finding High-Quality Wine on a Budget

We got advice from a professional sommelier on finding a great bottle of wine on a budget.

https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/expert-tips-for-finding-high-quality-wine-on-a-budget/

The Genius Wine-Chilling Trick We Wish We’d Known About Sooner

We’ll toast to this smart tip!

https://parade.com/food/how-to-chill-prosecco-fast

More medical results suggesting that wines are usually safe to drink

As I have noted before: There are NO scientific experiments saying: don’t drink alcohol.

http://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/04/more-medical-results-suggesting-that.html

What to Know About 6 Newly Proposed AVAs

These six regions in Texas, Washington, and California—including one AVA that has already been approved—have exciting potential for the U.S. wine industry

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/what-to-know-about-6-newly-proposed-avas/

National Association of Wine Retailers Statement on Tariffs

It is for this reason that NAWR strongly urges the Trump administration to reconsider and remove the across-the-board tariffs recently put in place.

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/04/07/national-association-of-wine-retailers-statement-on-tariffs/?utm_source=AfternoonBrief&utm_medium=newsletter

For the First Time in 70 Years, Maker’s Mark Is Releasing a New Type of Whiskey

The iconic brand is branching out from bourbon.

https://www.foodandwine.com/makers-mark-star-hill-farm-whisky-11710788

Seeking closure once and for all? Cork versus screwcap versus Diam 

Sarah Marsh MW reports from a revealing and surprising comparative tasting of wines aged under different types of closure.

https://worldoffinewine.com/news-features/cork-screwcap-diam-what-is-best

Great Wine Capitals Launches New E-Book Showcasing Global Excellence in Wine Tourism

This engaging resource highlights award-winning wine tourism practices, inspiring case studies, and insights from the 12 prestigious wine regions that make up the Network

https://www.greatwinecapitals.com/industry-resources/great-wine-capitals-launches-new-e-book-showcasing-global-excellence-in-wine-tourism/

Wine labels Part 1: An intriguing history

Long before concepts like “terroir”, “Grand Cru”, “First Growth”, and AVA entered the wine lexicon, there was the humble wine label.

https://westgarthwines.com/blogs/news/wine-labels-part-1-an-intriguing-history

7 of the most interesting wine pairings you can try tonight

From Girl Scout cookies to Hot Pockets to Takis, these unexpected wine pairings will delight your palate

https://qz.com/interesting-wine-pairings-takis-girl-scout-cookies-1851774853

Why taking a bath in wine is idiotic and wasteful

Of course a wine bath isn’t good for you. What are you thinking?

https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/wine-bath-repubz/

New Wine

A new wine brand linked to the Archie Comics franchise, Archie Wine Collection, is debuting in the U.S. Initially including a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($23) and a red blend from southwestern France’s Roussillon ($25), the portfolio will also eventually include a domestic red blend, a Cabernet, and a Prosecco as well. Industry veteran David Biggar, who’s leading the launch, is aiming for the Archie brand to be in 40 states within a year, and says production can be ramped up quickly to meet demand. While the Archie wines are targeted at Gen Z and millennial consumers, Biggar adds that they’re expected to appeal widely across the demographic spectrum.

Is Orange Wine the Same as Skin Contact Wine?

The wine terms are used interchangeably but are they the same?

https://www.foodandwine.com/orange-wine-skin-contact-wine-explainer-11710257

Are the Wine Tariffs Gone? Not So Fast

While the White House has paused tariffs on foreign wines at 10 percent for now, the trade battle is far from over

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/wine-tariffs-are-sticking-around

U.S. Wines Priced Out: China’s New Tariffs Could End $50M Trade

The move threatens to effectively wipe out the nearly US$50 million U.S. wine trade with China, as the tax burden on American wines rockets to a staggering 218.91%.

https://vino-joy.com/2025/04/11/u-s-wines-priced-out-chinas-new-tariffs-could-end-50m-trade/

Colorado to stop issuing new licenses for grocery stores to sell hard alcohol after governor reluctantly signs bill

The bill is truly a victory for independent retail liquor stores and the craft beverage industry and the economy it supports from the farm to the table

https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/colorado-to-stop-issuing-new-licenses-for-grocery-stores-to-sell-hard-alcohol-after-governor-reluctantly-signs-bill/

Alcohol Retailers Say Only They Should Be Able To Legally Sell Marijuana Products

A new policy memo from an American alcohol retail industry group argues that marijuana should be regulated more like booze

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/alcohol-retailers-say-only-they-should-be-able-to-legally-sell-marijuana-products/

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast

Listen On Our Facebook Page OR On Franklin Radio 102.9 FM

On Air Wednesday 9:00am, 02:00PM and 7:00PM

And

Saturday at  9:00 am and 01:00PM

Good Pods Top 100 Podcast For Education

Podcast Award Nominations 2019, 21, 22 ,23, 24 AND 2025!!

2025 Tasty Award Winner!

Website

Instagram

Listen On i Tunes

Listen On Soundcloud

Official Merchandise

Review Show Here

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Get updated On Liquor Industry News, Events, Sales And More!

http://bit.ly/1q72JV3

Find Us Online

www.franklinliquors.com

Like Us On Facebook

www.facebook.com/franklinliquorsMA

Follow Us On X

www.twitter.com/franklinliquors

Our Latest Specials

Liquor

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Wine

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Beer Sale Items

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We Are On Pointy

Browse Our Product List

Upcoming Events

Our Education Schedule

Franklin Wine Club 

Wine Explorers wanted!

Over 900 Club Members!

How To attend and join

http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/

http://www.facebook.com/FranklinwineclubMA

Food And Wine Events

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Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW

Certified Specialist Of Spirits-CSS

Society Of Wine Educators

California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)

French Wine Scholar FWS-(Instructor) Wine Scholar Guild

Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)

Italian Wine Specialist-IWS*-North American Sommelier Association

Spanish Wine Scholar SWS-Wine Scholar Guild

Oregon Wine Expert OWE-Napa Valley Wine Academy

Italian Wine Maestro-The Vinitaly International Academy (First Class In USA)

Italian Wine Scholar IWS*-Wine Scholar Guild

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Franklin Liquors

Liquor Industry News

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

By: Mark C Lenzi

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

04-07-2025

Liquor Industry Week In Review

The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)

This Weeks Highlights:

New Products

Dark Vs White Rum: What’s The Difference?

Is the ritual of wine facing extinction?

How to Tell if a Wine Is ‘Dry’ or ‘Sweet’

Yellow Tail changes its branding for the first time in 20 years, as Gen Z rejects cheap wine

The budget-friendly Australian wine brand is updating its look in moment of decline for the wine industry.

https://www.fastcompany.com/91298025/yellow-tail-branding-kangaroo-update

Avoiding Sugary Wines? Here’s What To Look Out For

The only thing dry during my January was my wine.

https://www.thetakeout.com/1809533/how-to-avoid-sugary-wines/

Why young Americans are turning away from alcohol

It’s a question vexing booze boardrooms: is the younger generation turning away from alcohol? If so, is it a permanent trend or will “normal” patterns eventually re-establish themselves?

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/03/why-young-americans-are-turning-away-from-alcohol/

Why It’s Illegal To Add Sugar To Wine In California

First of all, let’s be clear that it’s impossible to make wine without sugar

https://www.thetakeout.com/1810116/adding-sugar-wine-california-chaptalization/

Here’s the Real Reason You Taste Wine Before the Waiter Pours

Want to impress your friends at a fancy restaurant? Here’s what you’re looking for when a server offers a taste of that newly opened wine.

https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/heres-the-real-reason-you-taste-wine-before-a-waiter-pours/

The Best Red Wines for Chilling 

Cold red wine, you ask? That’s right.

https://vinepair.com/articles/best-red-wines-for-chilling/

What Is Malolactic Fermentation in Winemaking?

Hint: It’s key to those big, buttery Chardonnays.

https://www.foodandwine.com/malolactic-fermentation-wine-explainer-11699822

How Constellation Brands’ Wine Exit Reflects a Changing Industry

After 80 years, the giant US company is exiting the wine business. Jeff Siegel reports.

https://www.meiningers-international.com/wine/insights/how-constellation-brands-wine-exit-reflects-changing-industry

Could Elon Musk learn from the fall of Bud Light?

Speculation surrounding Elon Musk’s Tesla challenges are being compared to those faced by AB InBev during boycotts of its Bud Light brand.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/03/could-elon-musk-learn-from-the-fall-of-bud-light/

The 4-Digit Number You Should Look For When Buying Your Next Bottle Of Tequila

Head to a liquor store for some tequila, and the selection can feel intimidating.

https://www.chowhound.com/1810814/what-is-a-tequila-nom/

What to do about creeping prohibitionism

Why are there perpetually conflicting reports on either the health benefits or health risks of wine?

https://www.lodiwine.com/blog/What-to-do-about-creeping-prohibitionism

Sparta vs. Athens: The Cultural Divide Over Wine and Its Impact on Greek History

The ancient rivalry between Sparta and Athens represents one of history’s most fascinating dichotomies

https://grapecollective.com/articles/sparta-vs-athens-the-cultural-divide-over-wine-and-its-impact-on-greek-history

J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon Achieves Certified California Sustainable Designation

. Lohr Vineyards & Wines surpasses sustainability milestone with 36 J. Lohr wines, totaling more than 20 million bottles that feature the Certified California Sustainable seal 

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/03/19/j-lohr-estates-seven-oaks-cabernet-sauvignon-achieves-certified-california-sustainable-designation/

Putting a Cork in the Wine Closure Argument

The objection to non-cork closures remains curiously persistent, especially among wine people who should know better.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/03/putting-a-cork-in-the-wine-closure-argument

Moderate alcohol intake boosts cardiovascular health, meta-analysis finds

A new meta-analysis of human intervention studies has reinforced the argument that moderate alcohol consumption plays a beneficial role in cardiovascular health.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/03/moderate-alcohol-intake-boosts-cardiovascular-health-meta-analysis-finds/

How to Tell if a Wine Is ‘Dry’ or ‘Sweet’

Acidity, alcohol, and even tannins can influence our perception of sweetness. Here’s your guide to understanding how sweetness really works in wine.

https://www.foodandwine.com/dry-and-sweet-wine-guide-11699474

The 6 Grapes That Define Alsatian Wine

Alsace is a land of precision and poetry—where German structure meets French soul, and where the wines, like the people, are shaped by both discipline and exuberance.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/grapes-101/alsace-wine-grapes/

New JD

Brown-Forman has launched Jack & Coca-Cola Vanilla, the newest offshoot of the brand’s line of RTDs. It’s exclusively available in a new Flavors Pack, a 6-pack in which it’s paired with two cans each of the original and Jack & Coca-Cola Cherry. All three are at 7% abv and the suggested retail price of the Flavors Pack is $18 a 6-pack. Last year, Jack Daniel’s RTDs (excluding the malt-based Country Cocktails) were down 13% to 902,000 cases according to Impact Databank. 

Zing Zang creates Dill Pickle Bloody Mary mixer

Dill Pickle is the first flavour Chicago-based brand Zing Zang has launched for its Bloody Mary mixer range.

https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/03/zing-zang-creates-dill-pickle-bloody-mary-mixer/

How Tariffs on Everything From Aluminum to Barley and Malt Will Impact Beer Pricing

Your favorite beer is about to get more expensive.

https://www.foodandwine.com/aluminum-tariffs-impact-beer-pricing-11698307

Regional power: Extended geographical mentions on labels

Subzones and single vineyard names on wine labels may mark out an elite, and often more expensive, class of wines but with important winemaking regions using more general identifiers, how do extended geographical mentions impact how a wine is perceived? Jacopo Mazzeo explores.

https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/regional-power-extended-geographical-mentions-on-labels-552437/

Cupcake Vineyards Expands Portfolio With Ready-to-serve Mimosas And Alcohol-removed Sauvignon Blanc

New Innovative and Quality Driven Offerings Reinforce Cupcake Vineyards as a Go-To for All Occasions and Joyful, Everyday Celebrations

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/newreleases/article/299536

Contrary to WHO, recent medical research shows that wine is safe for cancer

I thought that it might be interesting to gather together references to publications that refute these claims, or at least suggest that they are exaggerated; and that is what I have done here and in the next post.

https://winegourd.blogspot.com/2025/03/recent-science-reports-suggesting-that.html

Corona Island opens to the public

AB InBev has officially opened the eco-protected luxury destination it calls “Corona Island” to the public.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/03/corona-island-opens-to-the-public/

The Story Behind The Oldest Wine Shop In The US

While Acker lays claim to the title of America’s oldest operational wine seller, Acker’s story is also one that represents the American dream.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1813674/oldest-wine-shop-us-ackers/

Self-service wine vending machine approved for French roadsides

Innovative machines offer convenient wine access while adhering to alcohol laws

https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/self-service-wine-vending-machine-approved-for-french-roadsides/712375

Why Vatican City is the world’s top wine importer per capita

Tucked behind the colonnades of St Peter’s Basilica lies the world’s most surprising wine powerhouse. With sacred rites, papal palates and duty-free Prosecco all in the mix, James Bayley investigates how Vatican City became the globe’s top wine importer per capita – and why Italy’s grip on its cellar remains unshaken.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/03/why-vatican-city-is-the-worlds-top-wine-importer-per-capita/

11 Little-Known Ways Prohibition Hurt The US

Prohibition was enacted in 1920 and repealed in 1933.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1812664/how-prohibition-impacted-us/

10 Reasons to Take a California Wine Trip Along the San Andreas Fault Line

Ray Isle explores the distinctive character of some of California’s best wines at stops along a destructive fault line.

https://www.foodandwine.com/san-andreas-fault-line-wine-trip-11701019

Man’s Bedroom Invention Could Radically Change How Americans Drink Beer

The self-cooling can could have broad implications for drinkers and the planet alike.

https://www.newsweek.com/mans-bedroom-invention-could-radically-change-how-americans-drink-beer-2046946

12 Common Rude Behaviors To Avoid At A Wine Bar

I’ve highlighted some of the most common rude behaviors you’ll want to avoid the next time you go.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1817670/wine-bar-etiquette-tips/

What Technical Terms on Alcohol Labels Actually Mean

Unlike other food and drink products, alcohol products are not required by law to have each and every ingredient listed on the label.

https://vinepair.com/articles/what-alcohol-labels-actually-mean/

Is Ordering the Second-Cheapest Bottle of Wine a Rookie Move?

And no, your server isn’t judging you.

https://www.foodandwine.com/second-cheapest-bottle-of-wine-11705009

Welcome to the New World of Agave With Vodka, Wine, and Zero-Proof Spirits

This new crop of agave-made products have a tequila swagger.

https://www.foodandwine.com/agave-made-wines-vodkas-na-spirits-11703784

How Mechanical Harvesting Impacts Wine Quality

As labor becomes even scarcer, even ultra-premium wineries are expected to turn to mechanical harvesters. Will wine quality suffer?

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/how-mechanical-harvesting-impacts-wine-quality/

The WHO is lying to you about alcohol

Quite simply, the WHO is lying to you. The question is, why?

https://www.northwestwinereport.com/2025/03/the-who-is-lying-about-alcohol.html

Ozempic may reduce alcohol craving and consumption, new study finds

A new clinical trial suggests that semaglutide — the active ingredient in the widely used drugs Ozempic and Wegovy — may help reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

https://www.psypost.org/ozempic-may-reduce-alcohol-craving-and-consumption-new-study-finds/

Why the wine rarely vanishes – the truth about cooking with alcohol

It is a claim often whispered across chopping boards and tasting menus alike – don’t worry, the alcohol all cooks off. But as with so many culinary myths, this one dissolves under scrutiny.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/03/why-the-wine-rarely-vanishes-the-truth-about-cooking-with-alcohol/

Is the ritual of wine facing extinction?

Traditional wine rituals are falling by the wayside as Gen Z embraces convenience over ceremony. With corkscrews and decanters gathering dust, is this the end of wine’s romance – or the start of a new era?

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/03/is-the-ritual-of-wine-facing-extinction/

Does Amaro Actually Help with Digestion?

All of these elixirs are renowned for their digestive qualities, supposedly soothing the stomach after a feast. But are these benefits real? Or just romantic?

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/does-amaro-actually-help-with-digestion/

83% OF CRAFT BEER FANS WANT BEER SHIPPED DIRECTLY TO THEIR DOORS

Nearly eight out of 10 (81%) of regular craft beer drinkers have tried a beer while traveling that they wish they could purchase but it’s not available near their home.

https://www.americancraftbeer.com/83-of-craft-beer-fans-want-beer-shipped-directly-to-their-doors/

New Jim Beam

• Jim Beam is extending its flavor lineup with a Pineapple variant. A blend of pineapple flavor with Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the new entry is Beam’s first flavor launch in four years and is recommended to be served with lemon-lime soda or in a Pica y Piña with lime juice, simple syrup, jalapeños, and a tajin rim. Jim Beam Pineapple (32.5% abv) is now available nationwide at select retailers for a suggested retail price of $20 per 750-ml. bottle. Jim Beam had U.S. volume of 5.5 million cases last year, including flavors but excluding RTDs. 

Dark Vs White Rum: What’s The Difference?

Although both white and dark rum are made from sugarcane, they can possess vastly different flavor profiles and nuances.

https://www.tastingtable.com/1814036/dark-rum-vs-white-rum-difference/

How Is French Sauvignon Blanc Different From New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc?

Not sure if you love or loathe this popular white wine? It might be the region.

https://www.foodandwine.com/french-vs-new-zealand-sauvignon-blanc-11702181

12 of the Most Underrated Dessert Wines, According to Sommeliers

Top wine pros share the sweet wines they think deserve more love, from Pedro Ximénez Sherry to Moscato d’Asti

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/underrated-dessert-sweet-wines-2025

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