This Flipboard link for Liquor Industry News 01-05-26, curated by Mark Lenzi of “The Wonderful World of Wine,” contains the following articles:
Exploring The Wonderful World of Wine Podcast with Kim & Mark (Franklin Matters) A feature on the radio show/podcast (Episode #1621) where hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi discuss their award-winning wine series.
The Cheap Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon You Shouldn’t Look Down On (Tasting Table) An article exploring the prestige of the “Bottled-in-Bond” label and highlighting affordable options that enthusiasts often overlook despite their high quality.
How to Make The Americano, With Amaro (A Lush Life Manual) A guide on upgrading the classic low-proof Americano cocktail by incorporating Amaro for a more complex flavor profile.
What’s The Actual Difference Between A Bar And Cantina? (Chowhound) An educational piece explaining the cultural and functional differences between these two types of establishments.
Taste Test: Cult Distillery Willett’s New Bourbon Doesn’t Live Up to Its Unicorn Bottles (Robb Report) A review by critic Jonah Flicker of a new whiskey release from the famous Willett distillery, noting that while solid, it lacks the “unicorn” status of their previous rare bottles.
10 Best Whisky Stories of 2025 (Man of Many) A retrospective of the year’s top whisky news, including a highlight on the House of Suntory’s partnership with artist Hiroshi Senju for ultra-rare Hibiki releases.
This Flipboard magazine curated by Mark Lenzi for January 2, 2026, focuses on the transition from New Year’s celebrations into “Dry January” and the emerging trends for the new year.
The following is a summary of the stories featured in the LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 01-01-26 collection:
Understanding “Still-Strength” Spirits: An exploration of what “still-strength” means for curious drinkers. These spirits are bottled directly at the proof they leave the still, without being diluted with water, offering a more intense and pure expression of the production process.
Champagne Industry Challenges: While New Year’s Eve sparked the typical surge in Champagne sales, the industry is currently facing significant headwinds. These include ongoing labor abuse allegations in French vineyards and the looming threat of international tariffs.
The 100 Best Whiskeys of 2025: A year-end retrospective ranking the top whiskeys tasted throughout 2025. The list serves as a guide for enthusiasts looking for the “best of the best” as the new year begins.
Ranking the 100 Best Bourbons of 2025: A specific focus on Bourbon, highlighting the top 100 bottles of the year. The report notes that the whiskey industry faced “existential challenges” in 2025, including trade uncertainty and shifting consumer trends.
Orange Wine Fatigue: For those tired of the skin-fermented “orange wine” trend, experts and sommeliers suggest exploring alternative styles of wine that offer similar complexity without being part of the specific orange wine category.
Global New Year’s Drinks: A cultural look at 10 alcoholic beverages from around the world that are traditionally used for New Year’s toasts, along with travel advice on accepting drinks in different international settings.
Based on the “Liquor Industry News 12-31-25” Flipboard curated by Mark Lenzi, the stories posted on December 31, 2025, focus heavily on New Year’s Eve preparation, sparkling wine education, and the industry outlook for 2026.
This Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-30-25,” curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine), features several key stories reflecting the state of the alcohol industry at the end of 2025. Here is a summary of the featured content:
Industry Trends & Economic Outlook
Whiskey Trends of 2025: Industry insiders report that 2025 was a challenging year for whiskey producers. Factors like tighter economics, category growth slowdown, and tariffs led to a surplus of well-aged barrels. Trends shifted toward ultra-aged bourbons and smaller bottle formats to adapt to changing consumer habits.
The “Breakout” Wines: Despite reports of declining wine consumption, retailers and beverage professionals identified nine “breakout” wines that managed to capture consumer interest in 2025 by offering something unique or high-value.
Resilience of Sustainable Labels: While overall wine sales slumped, brands with sustainable, organic, or biodynamic certifications resisted the downward trend, as consumers increasingly prioritize environmental and political values in their purchases.
Regional News & Sustainability
California Wine Country’s New Strategy: A proposal is being discussed to implement a small fee on every bottle of wine sold to help fund and “save” California’s wine regions, which have seen a decrease in weekend tourism from major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Biodynamics in Champagne: In the face of mounting climate pressures, growers in regions like Épernay and Côte des Bar are arguing that biodynamic farming—focusing on soil health—is essential for producing precise and vibrant wines in a changing climate.
Demographic Shifts
The Gen Z Influence: Marketing experts highlight how Gen Z (born 1997–2012) is quietly reshaping the wine industry. Their relationship with alcohol is different from previous generations, forcing brands to rethink how they communicate and what types of products they offer.
The following summary covers the articles featured in the “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-28-25” collection curated by Mark Lenzi:
Wine Highlights
The Rise of Alsatian Pinot Noir: This region is gaining significant attention for its bright and juicy Pinot Noirs. The recent addition of this grape variety to the Grand Cru sites of Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr (as of late 2022) has solidified Alsace as a serious contender for high-quality red wine.
Top Affordable Wines of 2025: Critic Henry Jeffreys reflects on the year’s best “budget-friendly” bottles, providing a curated list of high-value wines for consumers looking to maximize quality at a lower price point.
New Year’s Eve Bubbly Guide: A guide for holiday celebrations categorizes the best sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve, offering recommendations ranging from $10 budget finds to $100 premium bottles.
Beer Trends
Lagers to Dominate 2026: Industry analysts predict that lagers will continue their strong re-ascendance in the market. The style is expected to be the dominant choice for American beer drinkers heading into 2026.
The Italian Pilsner: The industry is shining a spotlight on the “Italian Pilsner” style, highlighting how Italian brewers are refining traditional beer styles with unique dry-hopping techniques.
Industry & History
Historical Liquor Establishments: A look at the oldest liquor store in the U.S., which has been in operation for over 300 years. The article discusses how bars and liquor stores have served as historical landmarks, including sites that hosted meetings during the American Revolution.
This Flipboard magazine “Liquor Industry News 12-26-25,” curated by Mark Lenzi (owner of Franklin Liquors and host of The Wonderful World of Wine), is a collection of articles focusing on current trends, market shifts, and consumer guides for the wine and spirits industry.
This December 25, 2025, edition of Liquor Industry News curated by Mark Lenzi on Flipboard is a specialized roundup focusing on end-of-year trends, holiday spirits, and the evolving economic landscape of the beverage alcohol industry.
As a certified wine and spirits expert (owner of Franklin Liquors in Massachusetts and host of The Wonderful World of Wine), Lenzi’s Christmas edition typically emphasizes celebratory themes and industry forecasts for 2026.
This link leads to a Flipboard magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-22-25,” curated by Mark Lenzi for “The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW).” It features a collection of articles and media focused on the wine and spirits industry as of late December 2025.
Key content featured in this edition includes:
New Year’s Bubbly: A podcast episode (Episode 305) from The Wonderful World of Wine where hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi discuss Champagne, Prosecco, and other sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve.
Industry Trends & News:
An article from TheStreet discussing an iconic 230-year-old Kentucky whiskey brand that has paused distilling for a year due to tariffs and slowing exports.
A piece from The Hub reflecting on the state of the wine world at the end of 2025.
Consumer Guides:
A list of nine budget-friendly U.S. wine regions that rival more expensive destinations (via Mental Floss).
Editor picks for New Year’s wines starting at $10, including Rosé and Prosecco (via Food & Wine).
Gifts & Gear: A section from Wine Enthusiast focusing on wine accessories and “trimmings” for holiday celebrations.
The page also provides links to previous daily editions of Mark Lenzi’s liquor industry news.
The Flipboard magazine “Liquor Industry News 12-20-25,” curated by Mark Lenzi of The Wonderful World of Wine, provides a roundup of recent trends, regulatory updates, and consumer insights in the beverage alcohol sector.
Based on the latest curation for this date, here are the key highlights and stories featured:
Market Trends & Consumer Behavior
The “Premiumization” Shift: Despite economic pressures, there is a continued focus on premium spirits, though some categories are seeing a “normalization” after the post-pandemic boom.
Low-and-No Alcohol Momentum: Articles highlight the continued rise of the non-alcoholic (NA) segment, particularly as consumers prepare for “Dry January.” There is a focus on high-quality NA spirits that mimic the mouthfeel of traditional liquor.
Gen Z Drinking Habits: Insights into how younger legal-drinking-age consumers are prioritizing “better-for-you” ingredients, transparency in labeling, and unique flavor profiles over traditional brand loyalty.
Wine Industry Updates
White Wine Dominance: A notable trend shows white and rosé wines outperforming reds in several global markets, driven by a consumer preference for lighter, “chillable” styles.
Sustainability in Packaging: Coverage of new alternative packaging methods beyond the traditional glass bottle, aimed at reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
Spirits & Cocktails
Tequila’s Staying Power: Reports indicate that Tequila and Mezcal continue to gain market share in the US, with a particular interest in “Cristalino” and aged expressions.
Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Evolution: The magazine features news on the “next generation” of RTDs—moving from simple malt-based seltzers to high-end, spirit-based canned cocktails.
Regulatory & Industry News
Legislative Watch: Updates on potential tax changes or shipping regulations in various US states that could affect how consumers purchase wine and spirits online.
Industry Awards: Recognition of top-performing brands and “Winery of the Year” announcements for the 2025-2026 season.
About the Curator: Mark Lenzi is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Spirits (CSS). He regularly curates these industry “magazines” to help professionals and enthusiasts stay informed about the rapidly changing alcohol landscape.
The Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-19-25,” curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine), features a collection of articles focused on seasonal beverage trends, holiday hosting, and industry insights.
Here is a summary of the featured stories:
Holiday Entertaining & Gift Guides
Best Wines for Holiday Parties: Recommendations include pouring magnums of Saint-Émilion and Soave Classico, along with Champagne, to elevate festive gatherings.
2025 Sparkling Wine Guide: A comprehensive primer on “all things bubbly,” covering essential terms, trivia, and tips for selecting the right sparkling wine for New Year’s toasts.
Festive Cocktail Upgrades: A guide on using simple, everyday refrigerator ingredients to make cocktails look and taste more seasonal.
Spirits & Mixology
The Best Bloody Mary Recipes: Esquire highlights nine expert-backed recipes for this savory classic, emphasizing its popularity as a “hair-of-the-dog” brunch drink and detailing the best ratios for tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and horseradish.
Beer & Food Pairings
Beer to Avoid with Hot Wings: An article from Chowhound warns against certain beer styles that may clash with or overwhelm the spice of hot wings, suggesting better alternatives for a balanced pairing.
Industry & Cultural Perspectives
Wine’s Brighter Future: Author Jon Bonné discusses “The Seven Percenters” and how certain movements in the wine world are attempting to bring back missing elements of character and trail-blazing spirit to the industry.
The magazine is part of a daily series curated by Lenzi that explores the intersection of wine culture, industry news, and consumer tips.
The provided link leads to a Flipboard magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-18-25,” curated by Mark Lenzi for The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW).
The collection features several articles from December 18, 2025, covering wine industry controversies, sustainability, regional guides, and festive tips:
San Francisco Wine Competition Controversy: The San Francisco International Wine Competition is facing allegations of including Russian wines, which would potentially violate U.S. law.
Sustainability Re-imagined: Dr. Laura Catena of Domaine EdeM is featured for her work in reframing the sustainability debate, focusing on more than just carbon footprint to include broader environmental and social impacts.
Regional Wine Labels: A piece on Alto Adige discusses the linguistic complexities of its labels (Italian vs. German) and how this cultural history defines the region’s unique winemaking identity.
Consumer Guides: * Toscana Wines: A guide identifying 8 of the best red Toscana wines available for under $30.
Festive Cocktails: A recipe and feature for a “Gingerbread White Russian” as part of a holiday cocktail countdown.
Holiday Maintenance Tip: A warning from plumbers regarding a specific “Christmas drink” (likely cream-based or fat-heavy beverages) that should not be poured down the kitchen sink to avoid expensive emergency repairs.
The Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-12-25” curated by The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) features several stories related to the alcohol industry and wine, including:
An article discussing the effect of alcohol consumption on medical strokes, suggesting the effect of wine on medical conditions is not all bad.
News about Fowles Wine’s “BatNav” system, which received a $500,000 grant to develop technology with the potential to save millions.
A piece arguing that Misguided USDA Guidelines Regarding Alcohol Need to be Fixed.
A discussion about Magnum Bottles and the effect of bottle size on wine aging and chemistry.
A recipe guide on How to Make the Spiced Apple Cider Old Fashioned.
A recipe for a No-Added-Sugar Mulled “Wine” (a non-alcoholic mocktail).
The provided link is a Flipboard magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-02-25” curated by “The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW).”
The magazine collects several recent stories related to the liquor and wine industry, including:
Top 10 festive drinks in the US: An article discussing the most searched-for festive drinks in the US.
7 Things You Should Know About Widow Jane, the Beloved Brooklyn-Made Bourbon: An article about the bourbon brand, noting its connection to a historic limestone mine.
Is it true that … a glass of wine a day is good for your heart?: An article from The Guardian discussing the potential heart benefits of moderate wine consumption compared to other foods like grapes and berries.
My go-to ways to champion small wineries all year long: Tips on how to support small wineries.
8 books on drinks: 2025 titles cover wines, spirits, more: A list of recent books about wine, spirits, and other drinks.
Dirty Martini Pasta: A food-related article about a viral TikTok recipe inspired by the Dirty Martini cocktail.
The “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 11-24-25” Flipboard magazine features a collection of stories covering various aspects of the wine and spirits industry, with a focus on holiday pairing and spirits awards.
The key stories included are:
Award-Winning Bourbons: News highlights two bourbons receiving top honors:
A $150 bourbon from Indiana was named the “Best in the World” by Top Shelf 2025, judged by experts from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
A widely available and affordable $30 wheated bourbon was named “Best Overall Bourbon” at the New York World Spirit Competition.
Thanksgiving Focus: Multiple pieces center on the upcoming holiday, including a podcast episode on a “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Food And Wine Pairing” and an article about “The One Drink Most Americans Ignore” that is key to a perfect Thanksgiving.
Wine and Spirits Insights: Articles providing deeper industry knowledge, such as how oak barrels (French vs. American) affect the flavor of wine, and an exploration of how Japanese whisky blends tradition and innovation.
The Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 11-23-25” curated by @MarkLenzi, features several recent stories focused primarily on wine and cocktails, particularly with a holiday theme.
The most recent stories in the magazine include:
How to Pair French Wines with Your Thanksgiving Dinner (from frenchly.us)
4 unexpected holiday food pairings with Cabernet Sauvignon you’ll love (from The Manual)
10 Award-Winning White Wines To Impress Your Guests In 2025 (from Tasting Table)
Forget white before red: a smarter way to taste wine (from The Manual)
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 312 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Parenting, Wine, and Playful Rhymes 🍷 Grab a glass and settle in! In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with the witty and insightful Danielle Frank, author […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 311 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! The Liquid Jazz Experience with Inventor Michael Fors In this episode, Kim and Mark dive into the art of aeration with Michael Fors, a Massachusetts-based wine inventor and the creator of The Liquid Jazz Experience. […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 310 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Uncorking a New Way to Learn with Mistral Wine Cards In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with Seth Cysewski, the visionary founder and inventor of Mistral […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 309 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Decoding Non-Alcoholic Wine with Rachel Martin Get ready for groundbreaking wine education on The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) as Kim and Mark host Rachel Martin, the visionary Founder and CEO of Oceano Wines ( […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 308 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Talking Whiskey With Colonel Craig Duncan Grab a glass 🥃 and join us for a very special episode as Kim and Mark take their first deep dive into the world of whiskey! We're thrilled to […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 307 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Wine Social Media Star Kelly Axelrad Dive into a fascinating episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) as hosts Kim and Mark sit down with the powerhouse wine entrepreneur and social media superstar, Kelly […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 306 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! A Spirited Sip with a Wine Maverick Raymond Blake Join hosts Kim and Mark on as they uncork a fantastic conversation with acclaimed Irish wine author, Raymond Blake. In this spirited episode, Raymond takes us […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 305 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! All Things Bubbly For New Years Bubbly Bonanza! 🍾 Join your hosts, the effervescent Kim, the Bubbly Queen, and Mark, for the last show of 2025, where they pop the cork on a year of […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 304 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Holiday/Christmas Songs Paired With Wine Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! Get ready to deck the halls and pour the wine with hosts Kim and Mark in this festive holiday special of The Wonderful World of […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 303 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Get ready for a Thanksgiving episode that's anything but ordinary! The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) hosts Kim and Mark are celebrating a classic: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving! Ever wondered what wine […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 302 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! The Umami King Tim Hanni MW Join hosts Kim and Mark as they welcome a true icon of the wine world: Master of Wine (MW)Tim Hanni. Tim, the first American to earn the prestigious MW […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 301 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Kiana Keys-The Unpolished Grape On this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine(WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with Kiana Keys, author of Unpolished Grape 101-The Basics of WineAnd Little Black Book of Food + […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 300 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Celebrating Our 300th Episode With Len Presutti A lot can happen in 300 episodes. Kim and Mark, the hosts of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), celebrate this incredible milestone with their good friend and […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 299 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Vino Therapy With Kelly Lewis Kim and Mark of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) welcome the visionary Kelly Lewis to the show to uncork the secrets of vino therapy. The founder of the first-ever […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 298 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you! Wine Illustration talk with Maryse Chevriere Join The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) hosts Kim and Mark for a conversation with Maryse Chevriere. A certified sommelier, acclaimed illustrator, author, and James Beard award winner, Maryse […]