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.
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 Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-01-25” curated by “The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)” features several recent stories related to the liquor and wine industry.
The most recent stories include:
Latest Liquor Industry News and Trends: Week in Review from thewonderfulworldofwine.education.
An article discussing How Irish wine consumption compares to other countries, noting that the US is the largest overall consumer, despite a recent drop in consumption.
A piece on the Pickleback cocktail, advising that the choice of pickle brine matters as much as the whiskey.
News about the World’s Best New Bourbon being crowned: Dallas-based Lasso Motel’s “Darts” Cigarette Blend Bourbon, which is meant to be paired with cigarettes.
A Taste Test of a Kentucky whiskey, highlighting how a sherry cask finish works well for rye whiskey, specifically with New Riff’s malted rye.
An article about 10 Cocktails That Aren’t Made The Way They Used To Be, discussing how mixed beverages have evolved over time.
The Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 11-26-25” curated by “The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)” covers several topics in the wine and spirits industry, including:
The Guinness 60/40 Trend: Discussing the use of a 60/40 blend of Guinness 0.0 (non-alcoholic) and original stout as a lower-alcohol option during the festive season.
Prosecco Rankings: A list of “The 20 Best Proseccos to Drink in 2025.”
Emerging Wine Regions: Information on Balcarce, a fledgling wine region in Argentina.
Rum Consumption in the US: An article about the top 10 US states consuming the most rum.
Challenges in the Fine Wine and Spirits Market: An article titled “Tough Times for Fine Wine and Spirits” covering themes like falling consumption, a shift to low- and no-alcohol alternatives, falling prices, and market consolidation.
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)
This Flipboard magazine, titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 11-22-25,” curated by “The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)” (@MarkLenzi), covers several recent topics in the beverage industry:
Wage Violations Lawsuit: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging widespread wage violations.
Beer Industry Challenges: The U.S. Beer Industry is reportedly struggling financially (“bleeding red ink”).
Kosher Beer Certification: Plans are underway for new kosher certification standards for beer.
Organic Wine Perception in France: A study found that only 32% of French consumers believe organic wine tastes good, indicating a divide based on taste and price.
Thanksgiving Wine Picks: Sommeliers offered their top wine recommendations for Thanksgiving.
Winery Program: Brassfield Estate Winery opened applications for the second edition of its High Valley Volcano Camp.
The Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 11-11-25” curated by The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) features several recent articles related to wine and spirits.
Key stories in the magazine include:
Crémant Sales Surge: An analysis of the growing popularity and rising sales of Crémant, a sparkling wine sometimes viewed as a Champagne alternative.
Thanksgiving Wine Advice: Tips from experts to help readers relax and choose the right wines and digestifs for Thanksgiving.
Vodka Rankings: A list ranking 19 popular American vodkas from worst to best, noting that vodka remains the most popular liquor in the U.S.
Cocktail and Wine Pairing Tips: Articles providing advice on simple fall twists for classic cocktails and suggestions for pairing wine with everyday takeout.
Social Media Discussion: A piece from The VinePair Podcast discussing the question of whether sommeliers should be posting photos of bottles they sell on social media.
It’s understandable that picking out a wine can be fairly intimidating. But, believe it or not, employees at stores and wineries actually want to help you find a wine that is perfect for you.
If you have followed Quini for a while, you’d know that our mission is to make wine tasting accessible to all and help people discover their palate faster than ever. They have upgraded the site to open our wine listings and reviews for public browsing without having to sign in to Quini.
Angry Orchard Recalls Hard Cider Over Potential Bottle Explosion
The company said two batches of the hard cider may be showing signs of refermentation in the bottle, which could result in increased carbonization levels. That could cause overflowing upon opening or a bursting bottle under increased pressure.
Brown-Forman is expanding its Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select brand, available at 45% abv and priced around $200, with a more limited label this fall called Sinatra Century (this is the centenary year of the singer’s birth), distilled at 50% abv and priced at $500 a 750-ml. The limited release is already shipping to travel retail and is expected to be on U.S. shelves by October. For the Sinatra series, Jack Daniel’s has employed special barrels with grooves on the staves to draw more whiskey into the wood, explains senior vice president and chief marketing officer John Hayes.
Another product, Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold, is currently sold only in travel retail but likely to be released into the U.S. market by year-end, Hayes says. No. 27 Gold is bottled at 80-proof with extra maturation in maple barrels, as well as a second charcoal filtering, resulting in a lighter and sweeter whiskey originally aimed at the Asian market. The price is likely to be around $100.
Looking ahead to next year, Hayes said a new rye product, called Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye, will be released in limited quantities at around $50. Two other ryes, the Jack Daniel’s Unaged Rye ($70) and the Jack Daniel’s Rested Rye ($60) are no longer being actively marketed by Brown-Forman.
NEW APP ALLOWS USERS TO ‘VISUALLY TASTE’ SPIRITS
The new smartphone app is marketed as “the IMDb for spirits”, and provides the user with a rating of the chosen spirit, information about the distillery, production methods, and a personalised Flavour Spiral – a visual depiction of each of the tasting notes.
Xinomavro, a variety native to Greece and often compared to Nebbiolo due to its ability to develop complex earthy aromas with age, has the potential to unlock Greece’s full potential, according to its winemakers.
With only a few simple ingredients and a short amount of time, you’ll be able to whip up a delicious Sangria and immediately imagine yourself drinking on the streets of Spain.
Indianapolis brewery explains ‘Tom Brady Sux’ beer can born-on date
Sun King Brewery is doing after some 20,000 cans of their Wee Mac Scottish Ale were printed with a born-on date that included the message, “Tom Brady Sux.”
THIS MAP SHOWS WHICH EUROPEAN COUNTRIES DRINK THE MOST BEER
A map created by Czech linguist, mathematician, and artist Jakob Marian breaks down just how much beer each European country is drinking (in liters per year per capita), and surprise, surprise: Eastern Europe is the biggest consumer.
Sun-kissed and windswept, Sicily is the Mediterranean’s largest island, characterized by rocky mountains, dramatic seascapes and diverse microclimates that together yield a bounty of succulent grapes
Handmade business cards with inlaid real grape stems
The idea was to create handmade cards by using recycled paper and real grape stems that would be in the pulp but also inlaid in small particles on the paper.
‘Soft’? ‘Hot’? ‘Clean’? 7 ways to decode the secret language of beer
There are a few descriptors in particular that crop up often in beer writing, and clarifying these seven terms can go a long way toward communicating what a beer will actually taste like.
Boston startup Kuvée wants to sell you the last wine bottle you’ll ever need
Kuvée is designing an Internet-connected wine bottle that would hold different canisters of wine. It will be able to dispense one glass at a time, while preventing the rest of the wine in the canister from being exposed to air, which causes them to go bad.
Spreadable Beer Is a Real Thing … And It’s Delicious
Beer jelly is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of starting with fruit juice or pulp, you boil beer with the requisite sugar and pectin, stick it in a jar, and let it set.
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s gross sales hit a record $642 million in Fiscal Year 2015, an increase of $21 million – or 3.4 percent over 2014, according to unaudited sales figures. Total liquor net profits transferred to the state’s General Fund reached a record $151.7 million.
Beam Suntory has branched out with a new flavored offering in the Jim Beam lineup with the launch of Jim Beam Apple. The 70-proof Bourbon-based liqueur, a blend of apple liqueur and Kentucky straight Bourbon, joins the brand’s other flavored offshoots, including Jim Beam Honey, Red Stag by Jim Beam, Jim Beam Maple and Kentucky Fire, which debuted last August and hit 88,000 cases by the end of 2014, according to Impact Databank. Jim Beam Apple will compete against Diageo’s Crown Royal Regal Apple, which has had a hugely successful start since launching in November 2014. Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes recently told investors that more than 1 million cases of Crown Royal Regal Apple had been shipped during that time, with depletions nearing 900,000 case
Can playing classical music while making wine change its taste?
Enjoying a fancy dinner by candlelight to the sound of soft jazz may affect how you perceive the taste of your wine, studies show.
We’re an independent wine education and event company, providing unique classes, wine tasting events and personalized consulting. As a professional with a dozen years in the wine business, my favorite part of the job was helping people just like you pick out a great bottle. I’m excited to help you learn about wine in a relaxed environment where you can ask any question, no matter how small or basic.
California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)
French Wine Scholar FWS-French Wine Society
Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)
Our Wines Are On Vinobly
In The Mood To Try Something New, Or Want A Little Personalized Help In Navigating Our Aisles? Check Out The New Free Vinobly App Which Makes Personalized Recommendations From Wines In Our Store. You Can Find Wine To Pair With Your Meal, Or Take Their Fun 3-Question Palate Profiler Quiz To Get Started
Facebook Bluetooth beacons send information to smartphones and tablets that come in range with them. Inside Facebook, users will see “place tips,” including greetings and links to pages for locations they’re exploring.
Place Tips will deliver information derived from the locations’ Facebook pages, above the news feeds on users’ smartphones. For now, the service is free for businesses, but Facebook said it could one day sell ads tied to the information, giving it another way to make ads more personal, and potentially relevant.
When you stop in open Your Facebook. The top of your news feed will have our Facebook information.
An open-concept office building in the middle of the city is a strange place for a beer company
Wine is the ‘most dangerous’ drug on the market
Australia’s ‘most dangerous’ drug can be cheaper than bottled water, deadlier than crystal meth and more socially destructive than cigarettes; it targets the young, the poor and the most addicted.
Salem, Massachusetts’ Far From The Tree cider house has partnered with distributor Massachusetts Beverage Alliance (MBA) to expand availability throughout the Bay State. The cider company had previously self-distributed around the North Shore and greater Boston area. Far From The Tree was founded in 2013 and produces a line of small-batch, traditional and craft hard cider from 100% Massachusetts pressed apples. MBA’s network includes distributors Merrimack, Burke, Colonial, Commercial and Atlas.
Exploring the Wines of Montefalco
Montefalco is a small mountain village in the province of Perugia in Umbria almost exactly half way down the boot, in the middle of the peninsula.
The story behind Wine Folly, a website-cum-blog-cum-graphic design business that’s introducing wine to a Millennial audience the digital way – with lots of visuals.
Does Alcohol Go Bad? Yep, So Here’s How Long You Have To Finish Off Your Favorite Booze
Booze does go bad, so contrary to popular belief, you don’t have forever to finish off that bottle of sherry you inexplicably have stashed away in the back of your liquor cabinet.
The purpose of each of the charts below is to link the chemical causes of distinctive wine aromas to the potential descriptions we can use to describe these elements
Francis Ford Coppola Winery has unveiled Vendetta, a new California red blend retailing at $24.95. Making its debut with a 2013 vintage, Vendetta is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendocino County and 34% Malbec from Monterey County. The new entry will be available at retail and on-premise. Geyserville, California-based Francis Ford Coppola Winery also produces the FC Reserve, Director’s Cut, Diamond Collection, Gia by Gia Coppola, Sofia and Rosso & Bianco brands, among others.
PRODUCER RELEASES CHIPOTLE PEPPER WHISKEY
Rogue Ales and Spirits has launched Rogue Chipotle Whiskey, a new small-batch expression distilled with chipotle peppers.
We’re an independent wine education and event company, providing unique classes, wine tasting events and personalized consulting. As a professional with a dozen years in the wine business, my favorite part of the job was helping people just like you pick out a great bottle. I’m excited to help you learn about wine in a relaxed environment where you can ask any question, no matter how small or basic.
California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School (First In MA)
French Wine Scholar FWS-French Wine Society
Quini Certified Educator- QCE (First In USA)
Our Wines Are On Vinobly
In The Mood To Try Something New, Or Want A Little Personalized Help In Navigating Our Aisles? Check Out The New Free Vinobly App Which Makes Personalized Recommendations From Wines In Our Store. You Can Find Wine To Pair With Your Meal, Or Take Their Fun 3-Question Palate Profiler Quiz To Get Started
Natick selectmen to resume controversial liquor license hearing
Total Wine & More, a Maryland-based company with more than 100 stores across the country, hopes to open its first location in Massachusetts at the Cloverleaf Mall.
California winemaker Sutter Home Family Vineyards, part of the Trinchero Family Estates group, has launched a new red blend simply called Sutter Home Red Blend. The new release is made from California Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It’s packaged with a distinctive black label—a look that has become a prevailing trend among recent California red wine releases. Sutter Home Red Blend has a suggested retail price of $6.99 and is available nationwide.
BAR PROSECUTED FOR NEAR-FATAL LIQUID NITROGEN COCKTAIL
Court proceedings have started against a bar that served an 18-year-old girl a liquid nitrogen cocktail which led to doctors removing her stomach.
Spanish Cava brand Segura Viudas has debuted a new Gran Cuvée Reserva and updated the packaging across its line. The newest offering is a hand-harvested blend of Spain’s Macabeo and Parellada grapes as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which is aged on the lees in the winery’s subterranean caves. Gran Cuvée Reserva ($14) joins the estate’s top cuvee, Reserva Heredad ($25), as well as Brut, Brut Rosé and Extra Dry (all $10). The line is also receiving a new modern packaging design prominently featuring the Segura Viudas crest that celebrates the winery’s history. Segura Viudas is owned and operated by Spain’s Ferrer family of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia and imported by Freixenet USA.
New report: Wine will always have a place at the table
Wine Market Council conducted two online discussion groups to gain insight into the relationship of wine, craft beer and cocktails.
Big Y opens Table & Vine Fine Wines, Spirits and Beer at Boston Road supermarket in Wilbraham
Big Y Foods Inc. has opened its fourth Table & Vine Fine Wines, Spirits and Beer location, within the Big Y supermarket at 2035 Boston Road in Wilbraham.
Chow Bella’s Quick Holiday Guide to Sparkling Wine
Hey, did you know that Champagne can only be called Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region of France? If it’s not, it’s just called sparkling wine.
Jackson Family Wines, which owns more than 20,000 acres of vineyards in California and around the world, is expanding to a new wine region: South Africa. Wine Spectator has learned the company is buying Fijnbosch farm, which includes 20 acres of vines in the Banghoek Valley, a ward in the prominent Stellenbosch region, according to a spokesperson for the firm.
Jackson Family is planning to release 1,000 cases of a Chardonnay called Capensis made from the farm’s 2013 vintage, co-produced with vintner Antony Beck, a local whose family owns Graham Beck Wines. The purchase price for the farm, which totals 121 acres of land overall, was not disclosed. The deal continues a wave of expansion for the company, which has recently added vineyards in Oregon and California.
The Engelage family is selling the property, located near Bartinney and Thelema Mountain Vineyards, two top producers. Until now, they have sold the grapes to other wineries, including Jackson Family. South African wines have improved markedly and steadily in the past decade, though annual exports to the U.S. have plateaued at around 1 million cases
New Moonshine
Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s Sugarlands Distilling Company is adding to its lineup of moonshine offerings with the release of American Peach, created with TV personality Mark Rogers. Rogers, who appears on the Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners” program, is the second personality to participate in Sugarlands’ Legends Series, following Jim Tom Hedrick. Sugarlands Shine American Peach ($25 a 750-ml. jar) will roll out in mid-January 2015 at retail in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Minnesota and Florida. American Peach marks the distillery’s first 70-proof moonshine and joins other products including Silver Cloud Tennessee Sour Mash, Jim Tom Hedrick’s Unaged Rye, Appalachian Apple Pie, Blockader’s Blackberry, Butterscotch Gold, Old Fashioned Lemonade and Southern Sweet Tea.
New Harpoon Beer
Boston-based Harpoon Brewery has released Tuscan Pool Party—a new wine grape-infused beer—as part of its limited edition 100 Barrel Series. Created as part of a collaboration between Harpoon’s Charlie Cummings and Italian brewer Moreno Ercolani, Tuscan Pool Party is brewed with a Sangiovese and Merlot grape juice blend and Amarillo dry hops, then aged on oak spirals. The 7.6%-abv offering is currently offered in 22-ounce bottles, as well as on limited draft. Tuscan Pool Party is the 52nd installment in Harpoon’s 100 Barrel Series, which offers individual Harpoon brewers the opportunity to formulate a new recipe and brew a one-off beer.
COGNAC THE SPIRIT
Today more than 21,000 people work to produce and market 130 million bottles a year which are sold in more than 100 countries
FedEx will begin shipping wine to Massachusetts on February 1st
FedEx announced today that, effective Feb. 1, 2015, FedEx Express and FedEx Ground will open the state of Massachusetts for legal shipments of alcoholic beverages
In Massachusetts, alcohol in assisted living may soon become a reality, according to local reports this week on a state bill that has recently passed in Massachusetts’ Senate.
35 Maple Street Spirits of Sonoma, California has spiced up their portfolio with Uncle Val’s Peppered Gin, a new handcrafted gin infused with red peppers, black peppers and pimento. All-natural and gluten-free, Uncle Val’s Peppered Gin is available nationally for a suggested retail price of $39 for a 750-ml. bottle.
MA Jack’s Abby Announces Brewery Expansion
Jack’s Abby, one of Massachusetts’ fastest growing craft breweries, is set to embark on a major expansion that will more than triple its brewing capacity.
The Inside Scoop on How Wines Make the Wine Spectator Top 100 List
Everyone loves lists, and for wine lovers the only list is the Wine Spectator Top 100 that comes out near the end of every year – and has been since 1988.
California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School
Quini Certified Educator- QCE
Our Wines Are On Vinobly
In The Mood To Try Something New, Or Want A Little Personalized Help In Navigating Our Aisles? Check Out The New Free Vinobly App Which Makes Personalized Recommendations From Wines In Our Store. You Can Find Wine To Pair With Your Meal, Or Take Their Fun 3-Question Palate Profiler Quiz To Get Started
Wine Bottle-Turned-Lamp Is Held Up by Spurting Drink
It doesn’t even matter what kind of spirit you choose. As long as it’s a bottle, you can turn it into a lamp with just a 3D printing session and a bit of creativity.
Would You Go to the Wine Equivalent of a Tupperware Party?
This is a serious question. When a major wine producer embraces the Tupperware selling model, an at-home wine-buying party just might be in your future.
Will FDA’s Calorie-Count for Alcoholic Drinks Affect Your Drinking?
A new FDA rule forces restaurants to post calorie counts for alcoholic beverages, but some drinkers can still find ways to hide from their caloric consequences.
Fight fire with vino: A fire extinguisher in the guise of a wine bottle
The Wine Bottle Fire Extinguisher is skinned with a wine bottle, olive oil, or basaltic vinegar label, so it looks right at home on a kitchen countertop.
Under the new rules, farmer-wineries can get a license to ship directly to consumers. But if they want to continue selling to stores and restaurants, they would now have to go through one of the state’s alcohol distributors, who might be uninterested in taking on the low-volume businesses.
Maker’s Mark has become the latest spirit brand to find itself in the midst of a lawsuit alleging false advertising promoting the Kentucky Bourbon as handmade.
Bota Box Spearheads Innovation In The 1.5-Liter Wine Category With Launch Of Bota Brick
NAPA, Calif., Dec. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Bota Box, the nation’s leading eco-friendly wine producer of premium 3-liter varietals, announces the launch of Bota Brick, a groundbreaking new entry in the 1.5-liter wine category. Featuring the same environmentally responsible packaging as the original 3-liter Bota Box, Bota Brick offers wine consumers a new alternative in the 1.5-liter section that stays fresh after opening more than four times longer than any 1.5-liter glass bottle.
Chilled Holiday Gift Guide
The holiday season is upon us and yes, it’s time to shop for all those gifts.
California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School
Quini Certified Educator- QCE
Our Wines Are On Vinobly
In The Mood To Try Something New, Or Want A Little Personalized Help In Navigating Our Aisles? Check Out The New Free Vinobly App Which Makes Personalized Recommendations From Wines In Our Store. You Can Find Wine To Pair With Your Meal, Or Take Their Fun 3-Question Palate Profiler Quiz To Get Started
It could be the perfect gift for the whisky-lover who has everything – a fabric that will permanently give off the scent of Johnnie Walker’s Black Label whisky.
Sensory-active compounds influencing wine experts’ and consumers’ perception of red wine
For experts, wine quality is linked to high contents of norisoprenoids. For consumers, wine quality is linked to high contents of oak-related volatiles. Ethanol increases finish intensity and duration of coconut and floral flavors in red wine
Biodynamic versus Organic Vineyard Management: Sensory Showdown
There are several differences between organic and biodynamic viticulture, but probably the biggest difference relates to the use of fermented “preparations” in biodynamic vineyard management protocols.
From the roaring 20s to the swinging 60s, Champagne has held a special place in the heart of popular culture for the best part of 100 years, not least on the silver screen.
There are lines around the block and long waiting lists. Some are even bidding to buy empty bottles. It seems like everyone wants to own Pappy Van Winkle whiskey…but is it worth it?
Col Solare, the landmark winery on Red Mountain in Washington state, has released the first-ever Red Mountain-designated vintage of its flagship wine – the 2011 Col Solare Red Blend.
Wine company Don Sebastiani & Sons, known for novel mass-market brands such as Smoking Loon and Pepperwood Grove, on Tuesday said it plans to launch a new venture that will focus on “craft-winemaking” brands.
‘Tis the season to get hosting, and what better way to entertain your nearest and dearest than with a Christmas cocktail. Here, we’ve assembled the top jolly tipples.
An at-home, fully-automated cocktail maker that promises to churn out bespoke “craft” cocktails in just five seconds is on track to receive funding via Kickstarter.
Ambitious newbies, eager to experience the breadth and depth of what the world of wine has to offer, often find themselves frustrated at their inability to pick out some of the tantalizing scents that wine critics offer up in their tasting notes.
Erath Winery, one of the pioneering wineries of Oregon’s Willamette Valley and the region’s leading producer of Pinot Noir, has released the first wine from their new estate vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, Willakia Vineyard.
Two new studies weigh in and suggest that a substance found in red wine, resveratrol, does come with some health benefits, including preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
The University of Delaware has become one of only five colleges in the nation to offer the Introduction to Wine certification course to hotel, restaurant and institutional management students.
Franklin Adult Education 2015 Classes Coming Soon!
Medway Adult Education 2015 Classes Coming Next Week
Coming Spring 2015
Tri-County Adult Education
Franklin, MA
Certified Specialist Of Wine-CSW
Certified Specialist Of Spirits-CSS
Society Of Wine Educators
California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School
Quini Certified Educator- QCE
Our Wines Are On Vinobly
In The Mood To Try Something New, Or Want A Little Personalized Help In Navigating Our Aisles? Check Out The New Free Vinobly App Which Makes Personalized Recommendations From Wines In Our Store. You Can Find Wine To Pair With Your Meal, Or Take Their Fun 3-Question Palate Profiler Quiz To Get Started
M.S. Walker is launching the West Cork Irish whiskey range in the U.S. The new offering is produced in Skibbereen by West Cork Distillers, a family-owned distillery specializing in artisanal whiskies made with local ingredients. The brand’s U.S. lineup will include West Cork Original Classic Blend ($26.99 a 750-ml.), which is made with locally-grown grains and aged in Bourbon casks, and West Cork 10 Year Single Malt ($39.99 a 750-ml.), which is aged in first-fill, flame-charred Bourbon barrels. West Cork joins the Kennedy Irish whiskey and malt, Newfoundland Screech Caribbean rum and Grand Macnish Scotch whisky brands in M.S. Walker’s imported spirits portfolio.
AUSTRIA STEPS UP SPARKLING AMBITIONS
The Austrian Wine Marketing Board has announced a new three-tier quality hierarchy for the country’s sparkling wines as it seek to raise the profile of this style.
Why Mark Cuban Invested $1 Million In This Boxed Wine Company On ‘Shark Tank’
Mark Cuban, who says he actually likes the neon-coloured fruit wines, is so quick to lay down $US1 million for a third of the company, an investment that’s unusually large for the show.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ 14 Hands Winery has become the official partner of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and sponsor of the $2 million 14 Hands Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at this year’s championships. The international thoroughbred racing event, which consists of 13 races and takes place this Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, will be televised on NBC and NBCSN. 14 Hands will collaborate with the Breeders’ Cup to develop media and entertainment programs to support the event at the local and national level and will be served at sanctioned events at Santa Anita Park and surrounding areas. 14 Hands, an Impact “Hot Brand,” grew 34% last year to reach 1.44 million nine-liter cases in the U.S.
THE WORLD’S 10 MOST HAUNTED BARS
The world’s most haunted bars full of ghoulish spectres, malevolent ghosts and downright terrifying occurrences.
Barossa and Clare Valley split vineyards to create geological sub-regions
Winemakers in Barossa and Clare Valley are splitting their vineyards into new sub-regions as part of a stronger focus on soil and climate in Australia’s wine sector.
America’s first president, George Washington, loved to drink beer and had a particular penchant for a Philadelphia brew called “Porter beer”, according to a new book exploring the role of alcohol in US politics.
FIREBALL HITS BACK AT ‘ANTIFREEZE’ CHEMICAL CLAIMS
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky has hit back at claims the product is not safe for consumption due to the high levels of propylene glycol it contains – a chemical found in antifreeze.
Diageo has officially launched a range of new flavored whiskies under the Jeremiah Weed brand. The line includes Jeremiah Weed Spiced (70.6 proof), Cinnamon (71.2 proof) and Sarsaparilla (70.4 proof) flavored American whiskies, all retailing at $19 a 750-ml. bottle and suggested to be consumed as shots or mixed with cola. The Jeremiah Weed brand also includes Southern Style Sweet Tea Vodka and Blended Bourbon Whiskey offerings.
Anchor Christmas Spirit
San Francisco’s Anchor Distilling Co. has partnered with sister company Anchor Brewing to release Christmas Spirit, a new holiday entry. Featuring winter spice notes, Christmas Spirit is distilled using Anchor Brewing’s Christmas Ale, an annual beer release typically available from November through mid-January. The 45%-abv clear spirit will be sold throughout the holiday season, priced at $49.99 a 750-ml. Christmas Spirit marks the latest “beer-meets-spirit” collaboration from Anchor Distilling and Anchor Brewing, following their December 2012 launch of Hophead vodka ($29.95), made with hops from Washington state’s Yakima Valley.
The Weird World of Wine and Spirits Vaping
As the multi-billion-dollar e-cigarette business continues to come of age, a subculture of “vaping” flavors and production methods are taking cues from both wine and spirits. Jennifer Cacicio on everything from vape and wine pairing websites to “aged” e-liquids.
California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School
Quini Certified Educator- QCE
Our Wines Are On Vinobly
In The Mood To Try Something New, Or Want A Little Personalized Help In Navigating Our Aisles? Check Out The New Free Vinobly App Which Makes Personalized Recommendations From Wines In Our Store. You Can Find Wine To Pair With Your Meal, Or Take Their Fun 3-Question Palate Profiler Quiz To Get Started
The new 2014 New Zealand sauvignon blancs are coming on to the market and those in this tasting are delicious, ripe and mouth-filling with a lively fresh finish.
The winery that claims to be New Zealand’s only Gamay producer has suggested that this grape variety has scope to fulfill a similar role for the country as Sauvignon Blanc.
The discovery of limestone soils and the use of new winemaking techniques are turning Argentine wines from “Schwarzenegger” to “Michelangelo”, according to one international consultant.
In the south of France, half bottles are called “bed-wetter bottles” and are frequently chosen by people who don’t want to get up too many times at night.
WHAT YOUR WINE CHOICE SAYS ABOUT YOU, WHETHER YOU PREFER A BOTTLE OF RED OR A GLASS OF WHITE
Each popular varietal with its accompanying personality assessment, and further punctuated them with what else? Gifs. Go forth young grasshopper, and choose wisely.
Scientists have discovered why beer smells so good — and it has nothing to do with us. Beer, that living, breathing elixir, smells the way it smells to appeal to a totally different species.
The brisk crack we hear when opening a screw-capped wine might be less sonorous than the pop of a cork but it’s at least an assurance that the wine has been properly sealed – right? Wrong.
With the help of Florida-based brewer The Brew Hub, PGA tour members Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley and Freddie Jacobson are teeing up a line of new craft beers targeting golfers.
Stone Brewing has released a new citrus- and chocolate-flavored variant of its Smoked Porter as a limited edition seasonal offering. Brewed with Magnum and Mt. Hood hops, the new brew saw orange peel added post-fermentation and gained cocoa flavors from dark malts and the addition of chocolate from Los Angeles-based producer ChocoVivo. Stone’s Smoked Porter with Chocolate and Orange Peel is 5.9% abv, and is rolling out in 22-ounce bottles and on draft this month throughout the brewery’s distribution territory
B.C. Wine Subappellation Moves Ahead Wine Authority asks agricultural minister to OK Golden Mile Bench
British Columbia’s first subappellation is in sight, paving the way for additional proposals for new geographical indications in one of Canada’s primary wine regions.
According to the International Wine & Spirit Research (IWSR) Global Trends Report, the popularity of low-calorie alcoholic beverages is continuing to gain momentum across the US and Europe.
Everything You Need To Know About Why Mezcal Is So Smokily Unique
When it comes to the distillate of agave, most people in the United States think only of tequila. But tequila’s older, smokier forefather, mezcal, is slowly gaining more followers.
Perfect Pair(ings): 7 Wines to Sip with Your Favorite Halloween Treats
Instead of eating a bucket-full of Halloween candy until you collapse on the couch, why not enjoy this year’s trick-or-treating loot with a complementary glass of wine?
App developers traveling nation to collect 40,000 beers for Beer Census
The makers of a new app are trying to map the beer genome, so to speak. In the world of craft beer, the app developers want to find out what makes one beer stand out amongst others.
The storied history of gin has been shaped by many political, legal and cultural shifts such as the Prohibition Act to the global craft distilling boom.
In addition to the lawsuit filed in California court and Florida federal court, Tito’s Handmade Vodka is now facing a lawsuit in Cook County, Illinois. This case, filed by plaintiffs Mario Aliano and Due Frattelli, uses very similar arguments to the previous two, namely alleging false marketing and capitalizing on the artisanal theme in order to charge more for the product, reports the Cook County Record (and brought to our attention by the Craft Beverage Association.)
“Defendant knows that Plaintiffs and other consumers and businesses believe they are paying costs associated with a high-quality, small-scale production process when they purchase Tito’s … Had they known that Defendant’s misrepresentations regarding Tito’s were false, they would have not purchased Tito’s,” the suit states. Furthermore, the plaintiffs claims Tito’s actions violate not just Illinois law, but Texas.
Like the other two cases, these plaintiffs will also be looking for class action certification for this case. Because these three cases all have similar complaints against Tito’s, Legal experts tell WSD the ball is in Tito’s court as to whether these three separate cases will be combined or they would prefer to try them all separately.
Top Five Reasons to Expand the Massachusetts Bottle Bill
We don’t want to be one sided as we will VOTE NO.
Interesting that the only Vote Yes support Is On The State Website!!
Vin de France has driven ‘important growth’ for French wine
The creation of the Vin de France category has driven “important growth” in French wine exports as well as acceptance among younger consumers, Harpers France Summit heard.
The North American Guild of Beer Writers announced the winners of its 2nd annual beer writing contest earlier this month at a ceremony held during the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.
THE BOOZE YOU NEED TO GET YOU THROUGH TRICK-OR-TREATING [INFOGRAPHIC]
THE ETIQUETTE OF SWIRLING WINE
The swirling serves a purpose: it aerates the wine, opens it up, and allows the flavors to come alive. Before taking that first taste, aerating a wine can be the difference between enjoying the wine and hating it. So it’s fine to swirl your glass, just don’t be a snob about it.
Massachusetts-Based Clown Shoes Barrel Ages a Beer Especially for Minnesota
The Itasca Loonidragon Russian Imperial Stout. Released only in Minnesota, the beer is a bourbon barrel-aged version of their Russian Imperial Stout, the Blaecorn Unidragon.
Regional wine, liquor distributor eyes spot in Taunton’s industrial park
Martignetti Companies of Norwood may be granted both a Tax Increment Finance property-tax discount by the city, and a 5 percent Investment Tax Credit from the sate’s Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP).
Diageo Guinness USA will climb the pricing ladder with next month’s launch of a new beer called Guinness The 1759. Rolling out nationwide November 1, Guinness The 1759 was created to commemorate the year Arthur Guinness established the storied brand, signing a 9,000-year lease for the St. James’s Gate brewery in Dublin. The limited-edition brew is packaged in 750-ml. bottles, and it marks the first expression in the new Guinness Signature Series, which will debut a new commemorative beer each year. It also constitutes the first Guinness foray into the ultra-premium beer segment, according to Guinness brand director Doug Campbell.
“Guinness The 1759 is tapping into what we believe is a pretty interesting space—the emerging luxury beer category, which is geared toward sharing a bottle with a couple of people, special occasions and gifting for the holidays,” says Campbell, adding that The 1759 will have a suggested retail price of $34.99 a 750-ml.
The 1759 is an amber ale brewed with traditional beer malt as well as peated whisky malt typically used to produce Scotch and Irish whiskies, which Campbell says lends a “smoke character” to the beer. Just 90,000 bottles of the 9%-abv label were produced, with the vast majority reserved for the U.S. market.
New Gnarly Head
Delicato Family Vineyards has extended its Gnarly Head brand with a new limited edition wine, Authentic Black. A Petite Sirah-based blend from Lodi, California, Gnarly Head Authentic Black is currently available in limited quantities, priced at $11.99 a 750-ml. The entry marks the third release in the brand’s Gnarly Head Authentic Collection series, which also features the Zinfandel-based Authentic Red and white blend Authentic White. Along with the Authentic Collection, Gnarly Head’s stable includes its Old Vine Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay labels.
11 OF THE COOLEST WINE-THEMED TATTOOS
Here are some people brave enough to rock some pretty killer wine tattoos.
As this beverage has become synonymous with distinction and elegant palate, they are increasingly interested in not only consuming it, but knowing more about it.
California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School
Quini Certified Educator- QCE
Our Wines Are On Vinobly
In The Mood To Try Something New, Or Want A Little Personalized Help In Navigating Our Aisles? Check Out The New Free Vinobly App Which Makes Personalized Recommendations From Wines In Our Store. You Can Find Wine To Pair With Your Meal, Or Take Their Fun 3-Question Palate Profiler Quiz To Get Started
Well We Now Can Show/Say That With Our New 20 Degree Cooler!
There IS An App For That!
This Week We Started Our Fall Education/Tasting Classes.
Our Wine Room Was Filled With People Wanting To Explore Quini
We Can Recommend Wines To You All Day Long That We Think Are Great.
Bottom Line Is You As A Taster Are The True Test.
Our Quini Class Educates Wine Tasting And Gives You More Power To Learn What You Like.
There Are So Many Wines Today And We Love To Share Tools To Help You!
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Franklin Liquors
Mike & Mark
Liquor Industry Week In Review
This Weeks Highlights:
New Products
Halloween Craft
10am Sunday Opening
AND MORE!
RUM: AGE STATEMENTS ‘DO NOT MATTER’
Consumers need to be re-educated about the significance of age statements associated with rum and understand the importance of maturation better, a distiller has stated.
Italian Wines’ U.S. Value Rising In 2014, Despite Volume Decline
Italian wine exports to the U.S. rose 5.5% by value, even as volumes dipped 0.9%, in the first eight months of 2014, according to data from the Italian Food & Wine Institute. The U.S. market’s largest imported wine region, Italy exported a total of 1,683,770 hectoliters (18.7 million cases) to the U.S. from January through August, compared to 1,698,320 hectoliters (18.9 million cases) over the same period last year. Value, meanwhile, jumped from $869.7 million to $917.7 million.
Sparkling wine, in particular, helped drive much of Italy’s progress in the U.S., where Italian offerings account for more than 50% of the market’s total sparkling wine category. The Italian sparkling wine segment grew 17.3% by volume to nearly 2.8 million cases, and 21.3% by value to $120.8 million, during the eight-month period.
New Boston Rum
Boston-based Bully Boy Distillers is launching a bottled rum punch called the Hub Punch, an homage to an original recipe dating back to the late 1800s in Boston. To create Hub Punch, Bully Boy steeps its own Boston Rum with orange and lemon peel and raspberry, and then infuses the liquid with botanicals and herbs. It’s bottled at 35% abv and is best served on the rocks, neat or mixed with soda water, ginger ale or lemonade. The suggested retail price is $29 a 750-ml. and the release date is October 22. Bully Boy will be made in limited-run batches on the company’s 750-gallon copper pot still, with distribution limited to Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Ste. Michelle’s Bob Bertheau on Riesling, lots and lots of Riesling
Interview with Ste. Michelle winemaker now making over 1 million cases of Riesling every year!
In the last decade or so, Lodi grape growers have been establishing family-owned, small-production wineries at an increasing rate—in order to utilize their own grapes and produce their own wine.
Football Game Day Wine Pairings Chart has the perfect wines to pair with your meal.
Turning winery waste into biofuels
Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology have developed a technique for converting winery waste into compounds that could have potential value as biofuels or medicines.
American singer Melissa Etheridge has announced the launch of a range of products made from cannabis, including a cannabis laced wine, aimed at people suffering from cancer.
New Zealands organic wine industry has scored a major export victory with the announcement that the European Commission (EC) has agreed to recognise New Zealands organic wine production methods as equivalent to its own
Diageo has unveiled a new limited edition luxury variant under its Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky brand, John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2014. A blend of 29 casks selected by Johnnie Walker master blender Jim Beveridge, Private Collection 2014 is a 46.8% abv whisky packaged in individually numbered decanters retailing at $850 each. 8,888 bottles of the limited-edition offering are being released. Diageo says forthcoming whiskies under the John Walker & Sons Private Collection will “build into a collectible series year on year.”
TOP 10 CINNAMON FLAVOURED WHISKIES
Whisky producers the world over have been embracing the flavour phenomenon, but it’s not just honey leading the trend as cinnamon expressions vie to capture consumers’ attention.
Franklin MA sting: Two restaurant chains caught selling to minors
Two popular restaurants are facing possible liquor license suspensions after police caught them selling alcohol to a minor who had been working undercover with the department
The influence of the multisensory environment on the wine drinking experience
Recent studies have demonstrated that simply by changing the music playing in the background one can effectively change how people rate the taste of a drink or food, and/or how much they enjoy the overall experience.
Trinchero Family Estates has added new wines under its Ménage à Trois brand, including a Prosecco and a dark red blend called Midnight. Ménage à Trois Prosecco DOC is made from 100% Glera grapes and retails at $14.99 a 750-ml. Midnight, meanwhile, is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot that is positioned at $12.99. The Prosecco and dark red blend launch on the heels of another recent extension to the Ménage à Trois stable—its line of vodkas including Straight, Triple Berry and Triple Citrus, which debuted in June at $24.99 a bottle.
Sierra Nevada Snowpack Variety Hits Shelves
Sierra Nevada (Chico, CA) Snowpack Winter Variety Pack is hitting shelves now.
The 12 pack features two brand new offerings alongside Pale Ale and Porter – Boomerang IPA, and Coffee Stout.
Researchers pinpoint mechanism for aroma formation in wine
The majority of wines are produced from around 20 different types of grape, all of which have their own typical aroma. This is due to the terpenes, a diverse category of chemical substances including cholesterol and estrogen
US and European wine regions step up campaign to protect online wine names
American winemakers were joined by their counterparts from Champagne at a conference on deregulating internet domain names in an effort to boost awareness of how weaker controls would negatively impact the wine business.
Sunday 10am Opening Time Approved By Town Of Franklin
Resolution 14-62: Local Licensing Authority’s Approval of Package Store Licensees’ Notifications of Change in Hours to Permit Earlier Sunday Openings
motion to accept, passed via roll, unanimous (6-0)
October 26th will be first Sunday to open at 10am
NEW CHIANTI TIER HIGHLIGHTS ‘PERSONALITY’
Tuscan producer has welcomed the Chianti region’s recently introduced top tier classification, Gran Selezione, as a tool for distinguishing wines with “personality”.
State regulators investigating Somerville brewery’s ‘pay-to-play’ allegations
State regulators are investigating charges made by a Somerville brewer, Dann Paquette, who touched off a firestorm among beer enthusiasts when he accused two popular Boston bars of refusing to carry his company’s products because other brewers or distributors had paid to reserve taps there.
Portland, Maine’s Shipyard Brewing Company will release new winter seasonal, GingerBreadHead Ale, next month. Available through February, the full-bodied, 4.6%-abv craft offering is brewed with Caramunich and Chocolate malts and features notes of ginger, clove and cinnamon, the company says. It will be distributed in six-packs, 12-packs and on draft. Shipyard produces 20 varieties of craft beer and in 2013 was ranked the 14-largest craft brewery in the U.S. by the Brewers Association.
US BASKETBALL PLAYER BATHES IN WINE
Amar’e Stoudemire, of the New York Knicks, has taken a novel approach to recovery by bathing in red wine.
California Wine Appellation Specialist-CWAS-San Francisco Wine School
Quini Certified Educator- QCE
Our Wines Are On Vinobly
In The Mood To Try Something New, Or Want A Little Personalized Help In Navigating Our Aisles? Check Out The New Free Vinobly App Which Makes Personalized Recommendations From Wines In Our Store. You Can Find Wine To Pair With Your Meal, Or Take Their Fun 3-Question Palate Profiler Quiz To Get Started
Another Great Week For Our Franklin Wine Club. We Had Our First Road Trip To Greenvale Winery. The Weather Was Beautiful For A Tour, Tasting And Picnic Lunch.
To break into the top 10 percent of American drinkers, you would need to drink more than two bottles of wine with every dinner. And you’d still be below-average among those top 10 percenters
A Single Tweet By LeBron James, going out to his 15.1 million followers, and the wine in question is made by American football legend, Drew Bledsoe, you can be sure it’s going to get some coverage.
Glenmorangie has released a new single malt, Taghta, which it says is the world’s first crowdsourced whisky. Created over the past 18 months with input from whisky enthusiasts in more than 30 countries, Taghta—which is Scots Gaelic for “The Chosen One”—will be available globally in a supply of 12,000 bottles, retailing at £70 ($114) apiece. The new malt was developed by—and will be sold through— Glenmorangie’s Cask Masters program, led by Dr. Bill Lumsden, the brand’s director of distilling and whisky creation. Through the Cask Masters program, consumers helped decide in which casks the spirit was matured and assisted with packaging design and imagery associated with the finished malt. An Impact “Hot Prospect,” Glenmorangie has more than doubled its U.S. volume to 108,000 cases over the past three years.
New UV Vodka Flavor
UV vodka has launched UV Salty Caramel Apple, the brand’s first limited edition seasonal flavor. Featuring notes of apple, caramel and salt, the fall-inspired offering will be available nationwide, retailing for $11.99 a 750-ml. and $12.99 a 1-liter. Salty Caramel Apple joins UV’s existing range of more than 20 flavored vodkas, including its recently released UV Sugar Crush and UV Sriracha entries. UV vodka is projected to hit 2 million cases this year, according to Phillips Distilling.
The science of skunky beer (and how to prevent it)
Even though it’s cool and breezy out, your beer can still get skunked.
Wine just got even better for you as Australian researchers have developed a technique for converting winery waste into compounds that could have potential value as biofuels or medicines.
Providence, Rhode Island’s Narragansett Beer is returning its collaborative Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout label this month. Created in partnership with Rhode Island coffee producer Autocrat LLC, Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout first appeared in December 2013 as part of Narragansett’s limited edition Hi Neighbor Mash-Up series. The 5.3%-abv entry, which features roasted barley, chocolate malt and crystal malt notes, will be available across select East Coast markets through December, in 16-ounce can six-packs and 12-ounce bottle 12-packs, priced at $8.99-$9.49 a six-pack.
NOW IN STOCK
Wine Lover’s Guide to Austria
Austrian wine producers have been crafting superlative wines—sparkling, dry, and sweet—from white and red grapes in small quantities at competitive prices for centuries
A disabled woman frustrated at the lack of information on access when travelling has a blog offering disabled people tips and advice on getting around California’s wine country.
If you’ve sipped too many malty-sweet Oktoberfest beers to count, turn your sights to this mix-six: all fest-worthy, all a different direction from the seasonal lager
Tito’s Handmade Vodka owner Fifth Generation Inc., which is currently being sued in a California court over its claim that the brand is “Handmade,” is now facing a similar lawsuit in Florida. In recent days, plaintiffs Shalinus Pye and Raisha Licht—both consumers who claim to have previously purchased Tito’s—filed a class action suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida in Tallahassee.
The Florida lawsuit alleges that “through unlawful, deceptive and unfair trade practices, and false advertising and marketing, defendants manufactured, marketed, and/or sold their ‘handmade’ vodka to consumers with the false representation that the Vodka was ‘handmade’ when, in actuality, the vodka is made via a highly-mechanized process, which is devoid of human hands.”
Similar claims were made in the California lawsuit. Fifth Generation owner Tito Beveridge said he would vigorously contest that suit. “All of our labels have gone through the approval process of the Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB),” says Beveridge. “After sending a field agent to Austin to review our processes, the TTB has approved our use of ‘Handmade’ on our label. We think our pot still batch distillation process is one of the key things that differentiates us from a great majority of other vodkas. We disagree with these claims and will defend ourselves against this misguided attack.”
Wine Beats Yogurt in Health Stakes
Probiotic levels in wine beat more traditional dairy sources of good bacteria, a new study in Spain reveal
Dispenser Preserves The Wine So You Always Get A Fresh Taste!
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Franklin Liquors
Mike & Mark
Liquor Industry Week In Review
This Weeks Highlights:
New Products
Tito’s Vodka Sued
Manischewitz
AND MORE!
Pabst Acquired By Eastern European Brewer Oasis Beverages For Reported $700 Million
Pabst Brewing Company has been sold by private equity owner Metropoulos & Co. to Oasis Beverages, a Cyprus-headquartered brewer with operations focused in Eastern Europe. The purchase price was undisclosed, but sources told the New York Times that the deal was above $700 million. Metropoulos had acquired Pabst—including the Pabst Blue Ribbon, Lone Star, Rainier, Ballantine IPA, Schlitz, Old Style, Stroh’s and Old Milwaukee beer brands—from Kalmanovitz Charitable Foundation for around $250 million in 2010.
Oasis has global volume of 6.1 million hectoliters and claims to have a 12% share of the Moscow beer market. It also operates in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus. The company was founded in 2008 by Eugene Kashper, who began his career with Stroh’s in 1994. Oasis’s acquisition was backed by TSG Consumer Partners, which will retain a minority stake in Pabst as part of the deal.
“We intend to invest meaningfully in the organization, to continue strong marketing support for PBC’s unique brands, and to drive new product innovations and renovations, such as the recent launch of Ballantine IPA,” Kashper said.
Pabst’s core Blue Ribbon brand has grown by more than one-third in the U.S. market since 2010, rising 7% to 35 million (2.25-gallon) cases last year, according to Impact Databank.
Wine Maker Changes at Groth
Cameron Parry, a veteran Napa Valley winemaker who was recently hired by Groth to succeed Weis
A bracelet designed by students that can detect levels of alcohol in someone’s system and “check in” to ensure the wearer is conscious has been praised by Microsoft.
You won’t believe what mixologists are mixing with cider this season. Basil, bacon and ginger are some of the ingredients that will be popping up in fall cocktails.
Low alcohol wines dogged by lack of awareness and poor quality perceptions
France and the USA are the most attractive markets for lower alcohol wines, although others show great potential, says a new report from Wine Intelligence.
No consumer would ignore a natural product for an unnatural one, and that distinction is at the heart of a huge wine controversy that, chances are, you haven’t heard about.
Massachusetts-based Privateer Rum has expanded its distillery to 18,000 square feet, tripling its production capacity to about 300 barrels (6,700 cases) of rum annually. The Boston-area distiller, led by founder and president Andrew Cabot—namesake and direct descendant of the 16th-century patriot, privateer and rum-maker—produces two rum offerings: best-seller Silver Reserve, which is 80 proof and retails at $27 a bottle; and True American Amber, which is 90 proof and retails at $34. Privateer’s rums are currently distributed in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, California, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C.
JACK DANIEL’S RYE TO MAKE DEBUT NEXT YEAR
The Lynchburg, Tennessee-based distillery has been resting a charcoal-mellowed rye whiskey in new American oak barrels for the past two years, marking the first time since before Prohibition that Jack Daniel’s has experimented with a different mash bill.
Manischewitz: The Great Story of a Not-So-Great Wine
The story of Manischewitz is as intriguing as the wine isn’t
In honor of California Wine Month 2014, the San Francisco Wine School has produced a series of videos on California wine regions featuring Founder & CEO David Glancy, MS.
Diageo’s Smirnoff vodka has extended its flavor stable with the addition of its new Smirnoff Sours range. The lineup, which features Green Apple, Watermelon and Fruit Punch expressions, is targeted toward the shot occasion and priced at $15.99 a 750-ml. The Sours launch will be supported by digital advertising, point-of-sale and on-premise initiatives. Smirnoff Sours brings Smirnoff’s flavor range—which also includes the brand’s recently-launched Sorbet Light lineup—to a total of 39 entries. The largest vodka brand in the U.S., Smirnoff was down 0.2% last year to 9.7 million cases, according to Impact Databank.
Rogue Craft Beer News
Oregon’s Rogue Ales & Spirits is launching two new craft ciders this fall. The first, Fruit Salad Cider, is a mix of cherries and plums from Rogue’s Tygh Valley, Oregon farm, blended with Oregon-sourced apples, peaches, marionberries, pears and apricots. The second, 7 Hop Cider, is an apple cider that is dry-hopped with seven varieties of hops from Rogue’s Independence, Oregon farm. Both ciders will debut in 22-ounce bottles and on draft in December. Meanwhile, Rogue has re-launched its Rogue Farms Wet Hop Ale, a returning limited edition entry. Made with fresh Freedom and Yaquina hops sourced from the Independence farm, Wet Hop Ale—available on draft—is produced within a short timeframe, with the hops harvested, transported to the Rogue Brewery and brewed in a little over two hours.
The Big Secret About Pinot
Time to get to the bottom of the story of Pinot, an ancient grape that has boggled us for centuries.
This Week We Are Excited To Add Another Adult Education School Partnership.
Look For Our Food&Wine Pairing Classes With Tri-County In Franklin.
Spring 2015 Tri-County Will Join Franklin And Medway In Our Education Schedule.
Speaking Of Education…..
Did You Know??
Our Franklin Wine Club Now Has Over 100 Members!!
Are You Looking For A Fun Group To Learn And Taste Wines?
So Far This Month We Had A Sam Adams Oktoberfest Event And Hosted The Purple Wine Company. We Have Been Setting A New Standard In Wine Events. The FIRST Group In USA To Use A New Wine Tasting App Called Quini. Last Week We The FIRST Group To Taste Three New Wines Just Released On The East Coast. We Also Scheduled Our First Road Trip To Greenvale Winery. This Is A FREE Meetup Club.
Franklin Liquors Has Set A Goal To Help You Learn About Wines.
The World Has Many Wines Available. We Want To Help You Understand And Taste Before You Spend Your Hard Earned Money. Research And Tasting Is Our Job To Find You The Best Value/Quality In Wines.
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Franklin Liquors
Mike & Mark
Liquor Industry Week In Review
This Weeks Highlights:
New Products
Remove sulfites in wine
Bottle Bill Expansion
New Wine Radio Show
AND MORE!
UNDERSTANDING GRAPPA AND HOW TO FIND A GOOD ONE
If you’ve had Grappa before, your memory of it may not be all that pleasant.
Anheuser-Busch lawyers have failed to KO a lawsuit brought by US consumers who claim the company misled them into buying Beck’s by ‘deceptive conduct’ that suggested the beer was still brewed in Germany.
Whether you are hoping to become an MW soon or just starting your journey towards wine mastery, there are moderately priced ways to become a more educated wine drinker for all experience levels.
Just the Wine uses a process similar to that used in the winemaking process to adjust the levels of free sulfites to the desired concentration.Just the Wine drops combine with the free sulfites.
A US government research body is spending US$3.2 million of taxpayers’ money getting monkeys to drink excessive amounts of alcohol to test its effect on body tissue.
Patrón Spirits Co. is extending its Patrón Citrónge orange liqueur line with the release of Citrónge Lime. The ultra-premium liqueur (35%-abv) is available nationally in 750-ml. and 1-liter cork-finished bottles and is meant to tap into the Margarita occasion. Citrónge Lime is created using Persian limes from the Mexican states of Veracruz, Michoacán and Colima. The original Citrónge was first introduced in 1992 and was up 1% last year in the U.S. market to 134,000 nine-liter cases. Patrón’s other liqueur offering XO Café was down 6% to 150,000 cases.
It’s official: Americans like red wine better than white wine
If you prefer red wine to white, you’re not alone.
Brown-Forman’s Southern Comfort liqueur brand has launched Gingerbread Spice, a new seasonal entry. Featuring a blend of gingerbread, vanilla and cinnamon notes, Southern Comfort Gingerbread Spice is intended to be served warm, either neat or in cocktails. The 15%-abv entry will be available nationwide through the holiday season, priced at $11.99 a 750-ml. Southern Comfort, which sells roughly two-thirds of its 1.8-million-case volume in the U.S., experienced a 7% decline in net sales during Brown-Forman’s first quarter, ended July 31.
RI Foolproof Brewery News
Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based Foolproof Brewing Company is moving into the Vermont market later this month through an exclusive statewide distribution agreement with craft and specialty wholesaler G.housen. The brewery’s four year-round offerings—American golden ale Barstool, porter Raincloud, Backyahd IPA and LFU farmhouse ale—will be available on draft and in 12-ounce cans across the state. Specialty beers, which include Revery Russian imperial stout and King of the Yahd imperial IPA, will be available on draft, 22-ounce bottles and 12-ounce cans for King of the Yahd. Foolproof has been expanding steadily throughout New England since its launch in January 2013 and is currently available in its home state, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
ROCK BAND QUEEN TO RELEASE OWN VODKA BRAND
The vodka, named Killer Queen, will be released later this month to celebrate the band’s 1974 hit single of the same name
If Anheuser-Busch InBev NV and SABMiller combine, it would create a massive beer conglomerate featuring some of the most recognizable brands in the world, including Budweiser and Miller.
Thatchers cider will be available to consumers in the US for the first time, following the signing of an exclusive distribution agreement with Scotland-based craft brewer Innis & Gunn.
Pernod Ricard is furthering Absolut vodka’s connection to the art world with next month’s release of an Andy Warhol Edition bottle. The limited edition bottle celebrates the legendary pop artist, who collaborated with the brand on a painting in the 1980s that is now featured on the new bottle’s packaging. To support the release, Absolut is working with three contemporary artists on an interactive nightlife event as part of the Nights by Absolut program as well as running The Andy Warhol Art Exchange by Absolut, a forum where users can exchange original works of art. The exchange runs from October to December. A portion of the proceeds from the Andy Warhol Edition bottle will go to the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
Updated Wine Aroma Wheel with 100+ Flavors
Nanoscience makes your wine better
Researchers at Aarhus University, Denmark, have now developed a nanosensor that can mimic what happens in your mouth when you drink wine.
How Being a ‘Big Dreamer’ Landed Giuliana Rancic Her Own Wine Line
The “Fashion Police” and “E! News” star was beyond elated to reveal the news of her new single-serve wine line that will be available in Walmart next month.
Black Stallion Estate Winery is proud to announce the inaugural release of Transcendent Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a luxury showcase of the winery’s site-specific winemaking philosophy.
A blend of 89 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 11 percent Merlot from Napa
Is Climate Change Ruining Wine Corks
A recent study says yes. What do industry insiders think? Climate change has the wine closure conversation heating up.
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 […]
