Here is a brief summary of the featured stories from the “Liquor Industry News” collection:
Canadian Cider Global Push: The non-profit association Cider Canada has secured federal government support aimed at expanding its footprint and boosting exports into international markets.
Massive Restaurant Wine Markups: Wine pricing at US restaurants has reached a new pain point for consumers, with reports showing some venues are marking up bottles to as much as six times their wholesale cost.
Fireball’s Novelty Sneakers: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky has launched a marketing campaign featuring limited-edition high-top sneakers designed with a custom-built, secret compartment to carry a whiskey pouch.
Laser Tech vs. Counterfeit Alcohol: New laser technology is being highlighted as a potential weapon against illegal and dangerous counterfeit alcohol by allowing quick authentication of spirits.
The Flipboard curation of “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 07-17-26” by Mark Lenzi covers some fascinating developments across the beverage world, ranging from innovative product launches to the science of tasting.
Here is a summary of the featured stories:
1. Trinchero Family Wine and Spirits Launches “Sauvy B”
The Scoop: Trinchero (the third-largest wine supplier in the U.S.) has partnered with famed winemaker Joel Gott to release a new ready-to-drink (RTD) wine spritzer called Sauvy B.
What makes it unique: It targets “better-for-you” trends and younger consumers by introducing added electrolytes sourced from pink Himalayan salt.
The details: The drink is packaged in 12-ounce cans, comes in at a sessionable 4.5% ABV (roughly 100 calories), and is made from 90% sparkling water, 9% California Sauvignon Blanc, and natural citrus flavorings (available in Lime and Grapefruit).
2. WhistlePig Whiskey Joins the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA)
The Scoop: The Vermont-based, LVMH-backed rye whiskey specialist WhistlePig has officially been welcomed as the newest member of the KDA.
Context: This move aligns with WhistlePig’s growing physical footprint in Kentucky, including the opening of their “WhistlePig PiggyBank” tasting room and retail space in Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood.
3. What the Wine World Teaches Us About Taste and Smell (via BrainFacts)
The Scoop: Drawing from lectures at the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting, this piece explores the incredibly complex neurological processing that happens when we taste wine.
Key takeaways:
The Brain on Wine: Wine tasting is an active, multi-sensory workout. It involves vision (assessing color/legs), smell, taste, and the trigeminal nerve, which processes temperature and mouthfeel. All of this is integrated in the orbitofrontal cortex.
Expectation vs. Reality: Preconceived notions heavily dictate taste. Studies showed that dyeing a white wine red fooled tasters into describing red wine characteristics, and tasting wine in front of flowers led to more positive descriptions.
The “Verbal Overshadowing” Trap: As intermediate tasters focus intensely on trying to find the perfect words to describe a wine, they can actually disconnect from the simple, holistic pleasure of drinking it.
4. The Complete Ultimate List of Craft Tequila Brands (via The Tequila Report)
The Scoop: Written by Jay Baer, this industry-wide deep dive looks to expand the conversation beyond just “additive-free” tequila by establishing a strict definition for what actually constitutes a true “craft” tequila.
The Criteria: To help overwhelmed consumers standing in front of retail shelves, the report evaluates brands on specific production standards, ultimately identifying 231 brands that officially meet the rigorous definition of “craft.”
This specific link is a digital magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 07-14-26” on Flipboard.
It is part of a long-running daily aggregation series curated by Mark Lenzi, a highly certified wine and spirits expert based in Massachusetts. Lenzi is the owner of Franklin Liquors and co-host of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)podcast. He updates these boards daily to track exactly what is shaping the alcoholic beverage industry.
Here is a summary of the top liquor industry and cocktail stories featured in the curated collection:
Whiskey Tips for Beginners: A piece from Mashed breaks down the pitfalls of starting out with whiskey, highlighting three specific types that can be overly intimidating or harsh for beginners, along with smoother alternatives to choose instead.
How to Order Whiskey Like a Pro: Another Mashed article offers a guide on navigating bars and distilleries, teaching readers how to confidently order and discover their next favorite whiskey expression like an expert.
Adult Watermelon Vodka Drink: Tasting Table shares a nostalgic summer cocktail recipe. Inspired by the college tradition of filling a whole watermelon with alcohol, this updated, refreshing version offers a much tastier adult twist.
The “Guillotine” Cocktail: Featured in Robb Report, this recipe walks through how to craft a unique twist on the classic Old Fashioned called the Guillotine, which surprisingly pairs the smoky profiles of Mezcal and Scotch together.
Here are summaries of the top stories featured in the “Liquor Industry News” collection from July 11, 2026:
Uncle Nearest Legal Dispute Involves Claims of Ignored Red Flags The receiver for Uncle Nearest has filed a counterclaim against the lender Farm Credit Mid-America. The filing argues that the lender’s oversights and procedural failures effectively allowed the alleged fraud surrounding the company to continue undetected.
Super-Premium Tequila Projected to Shift by 2030 According to a report from the IWSR, while overall volume growth for some mid-tier super-premium Tequilas is currently experiencing a dip, the ultra-high-end segment of the category is projected to see a dramatic spike in total market value by 2030.
Crémant Gains Ground as an Affordable Champagne Alternative With sparkling wine sales continuing to rise globally, French Crémant is seeing a surge in appreciation. The traditional-method sparkling wine is increasingly favored by consumers looking for the quality and complexity of Champagne without the premium price tag.
Here is a summary of the top stories featured in Mark Lenzi’s curated Flipboard magazine, Liquor Industry News:
Highest-Scoring Tequilas of 2026 (So Far): An article from The Tequila Report sheds light on how they rate tequilas, sharing insider insights and a breakdown of the top-performing tequilas that have earned the highest scores this year.
The “Heavy Bottle” Illusion: Writing for Substack, Sandra E. Taylor dives into the consumer psychology of beverage packaging. She explains how thick, heavy-bottomed glass bottles trick our brains into instantly assuming a product is “premium,” complicating sustainability and packaging choices in the industry.
Why You Should Order the Cheapest Wine on the Menu: A feature in Food & Wine dispels the old advice of never ordering the absolute cheapest wine out of fear of looking cheap or getting low quality. The piece argues that the lowest-priced bottle is often carefully selected and surprises diners by punching well above its weight class.
The 20 Best Vodkas for 2026: VinePair outlines its definitive list of the absolute best vodkas on the market right now, ranking top bottles based on taste, versatility, and value.
The Flipboard collection curated by The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) features several recent updates from across the wine and spirits industries:
Wine’s Place at the Dinner Table: An article by Erik Asimov (originally from The New York Times) discusses the concept of gastronomy. He argues that truly eating well inherently involves drinking well, suggesting that modern dining culture may be losing touch with the essential role wine plays at the dinner table.
The Rosé Lifestyle: An piece from BKWine Magazine by Britt Karlsson explores how the Provence region of France masterfully branded and marketed rosé wine, transforming it from a simple beverage into a global symbol of leisure and lifestyle.
The Reality of Going Organic: Writing for The Drinks Business, Amelie Maurice-Jones interviews global wine producers about their transition to organic farming. The article highlights the practical challenges, unexpected hurdles, and key lessons producers wish they had known before committing to the green agenda.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Expansion: A report from The Spirits Business notes updates to the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which has recently added new distillery stops to its tourism route.
Here is a summary of the featured stories shared in that liquor industry news collection:
Top 10 Most Popular Whisky Distilleries: This story covers Cask Connoisseur’s annual ranking of the UK and Ireland’s favorite whisky distilleries, detailing which producers came out on top based on recent consumer popularity trends.
Does Light Drinking Lower Cancer Risk? Highlighting a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, this piece explores the ongoing, highly debated relationship between light alcohol consumption and overall health risks, demonstrating how interpretations vary depending on the health organization or study you look at.
Wine Retailers Push Back on Alcohol Stigma: A press release details how wine retailers and industry groups are actively pushing back against what they describe as irresponsible, biased, or overly alarmist anti-alcohol commentary and stigmas surrounding moderate wine consumption.
12 Dark Rum Cocktails: A lifestyle piece from Food & Wine featuring a curated roundup of tropical, dark rum-based cocktail recipes designed to capture a beach vacation vibe.
Here is a summary of the key stories featured in the Liquor Industry News (07-06-26) collection curated by The Wonderful World of Wine:
Wine Digital Marketing Trends: In Episode 319 of The Wonderful World of Wine podcast, hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi interview Molly Bossardt to discuss the evolving landscape of digital marketing specifically tailored for the wine industry.
Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beers: Highlighting one of the fastest-growing sectors in the beverage industry, Tasting Table ranks eight non-alcoholic, low-calorie beers, reflecting a major market shift toward alcohol-free and refreshing alternatives.
Summer Wine Cocktails: Gamin Traveler provides a guide on how to make Spanish Sangria Blanca (White Sangria), positioning it as a lighter, white-wine alternative to traditional red sangria that is perfect for hot afternoons.
Understanding Younger Consumers: An article from Food & Wine explores what wine industry professionals need to know about the newest generation of drinkers, who bring distinct preferences, values, and buying habits compared to previous generations.
Here are summaries of the top stories shared in that day’s liquor industry news roundup:
Schiava and Lagrein: The Red Spirit of Alto Adige (World of Fine Wine) A deep dive into the unique red grape varieties from the mountainous northern Italian region of Alto Adige. The piece highlights the fresh, breezy nature of Schiava, urging readers to move past old misconceptions of it being low-quality, alongside the bolder characteristics of Lagrein.
The Scotch Myth Everyone Needs to Stop Believing (Chowhound) This article challenges a 40-year-old stereotype entrenched in whisky culture: the idea that single malt Scotch is inherently superior to blended Scotch. It argues that high-quality blends offer incredible complexity and craftsmanship that deserve equal respect.
Cool Off with a Juicy 3-Ingredient Pineapple Cocktail (Chowhound) A quick, summer-friendly feature providing an easy recipe for a refreshing tropical drink. It offers a simpler alternative for people who want the flavor of fresh pineapple juice without the heaviness or prep work of a frozen piña colada.
The 10 Best Bourbon Cocktails to Mix This Weekend (Robb Report) A curated roundup of top-tier bourbon recipes, ranging from elevated takes on timeless classics to modern twists, aimed at home bartenders looking to mix up high-quality drinks for the weekend.
This link is a curated collection of Liquor Industry News on Flipboard, put together by Mark Lenzi from The Wonderful World of Wine. Since it’s curated just ahead of Independence Day weekend, several of the top stories tie into American history and patriotic celebrations.
The standout stories featured in the collection include:
Top 10 Oldest Wineries and Distilleries in the US: A feature looking at the ten oldest beverage-making facilities in the country that are still actively running today.
Champagne on Course for Earliest Harvest Ever: An update on the wine industry showing that following a heavily frost-damaged start to the season and recent intense heatwaves, the Champagne region in France is on track for an unprecedentedly early harvest.
Beer Considered the ‘Most American’ of Drinks: Highlighting newly released polling data and statistics ahead of the July 4th weekend showing that the vast majority of U.S. adults view beer as the ultimate patriotic drink.
Ten Whiskeys for the US 250th Anniversary: A spotlight on ten commemorative American whiskeys—including a special America250 Commemorative Edition from Evan Williams—released to celebrate the country’s milestone anniversary.
The magazine contains 16 stories in total, primarily pulling insights from industry trade publications like The Drinks Business and The Spirits Business.
This Flipboard magazine, curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine), features a collection of recent updates shaking up the beverage world.
Here are the top stories highlighted in that collection:
Are Low-Cal Beers the Next Big Thing? (from Beervana) This piece covers how breweries are shifting their attention toward low-alcohol beers (sitting at or below 3% ABV) as an emerging market trend, leveraging consumer interest in lower-calorie and lighter alternatives.
The No. 1 Nonalcoholic Beer in America (from Food & Wine) Detailing the results of the inaugural North American Nonalcoholic Cup (NANA)—a blind-judged competition that evaluated over 100 alcohol-free options—this story highlights Best Day Brewing’s Wild American Pilsner, which took home the coveted “Best in Show” title.
The Ultimate Champagne Flavor Map (from VinePair) An article featuring an infographic mapping out Champagne flavors. It explores how critical brand recognition and a distinct “estate identity” are for Champagne houses compared to other winemaking regions.
Toast America the Way Thomas Jefferson Intended (from Slate) A historical look at American drinking traditions, diving into how founding figures like Thomas Jefferson approached their wine and spirits.
Here is a summary of the featured stories shared in that liquor industry news collection:
Buffalo Trace’s Prohibition Revival: Buffalo Trace Distillery has revived five historic whiskey brands for its new Prohibition Collection. The unique lineup includes the distillery’s highest-proof rye whiskey in modern history, drawing inspiration from the medical exemptions that allowed legal spirits production during the Prohibition era (1920–1933).
California Grape Labeling Debate: A legislative piece touches on how California can protect local agriculture by ensuring that any wine labeled as “American” is made exclusively with American grapes. The state legislature faces a choice between global beverage corporations and local wine growers regarding iconic labeling rights.
Sazerac’s Expansion: Tom Collins Distilling, an affiliate of Buffalo Trace owner Sazerac, has purchased the former Garrard County Distilling property for $20 million, continuing the massive beverage company’s expansion in Kentucky.
New RTD Flavors: The popular ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail brand, The Finnish Long Drink, is expanding its lineup by exploring a new raspberry flavor.
Mark Lenzi regularly builds these daily roundups to pull together articles focusing on:
Wine & Spirit Trends: Deep dives into rising regions, grape varieties, or changes in how younger generations (like Gen Z) are shifting the drinking culture toward lower-ABV options or earlier hours.
Industry Analysis & Market News: Frequent coverage of how economic changes, distillery expansions, or global trade issues are currently affecting major alcohol brands.
Consumer Guides: Practical advice ranging from wine bottle math and how to read craft beer labels, to identifying high-quality tequilas or finding budget-friendly spirits at major retailers.
This Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-29-26”, curated by Mark Lenzi from The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), contains 17 stories covering a mix of alcohol news, cocktail recipes, history, and wine culture.
Several prominent stories are highlighted from the collection:
Liquor Industry News Overview (from thewonderfulworldofwine.education): This serves as the anchor post for the newsletter/roundup, authored by Mark C. Lenzi (who holds multiple industry credentials like CSW, CSS, and FWS). It introduces new products hitting the market and gives an overview of recent developments across the industry.
11 Discontinued Light Beers Your Grandparents Probably Remember (from mashed.com): A nostalgic look back at the history of light beer. While light beers sometimes get a bad rap for being weak, this piece dives into classic, crisp, and refreshing light brews from decades past that have since been phased out.
Kentucky Coffee Is A Bourbon Cocktail That’s Perfect For Brunch (from mashed.com): An alternative to the classic brunch standard. Instead of a Mimosa or a Bloody Mary, this story highlights a unique, bourbon-infused coffee cocktail designed to elevate brunch for whiskey lovers.
Not France, Not Italy — This Underrated Wine Region Has Some Of The World’s Oldest Producing Grape Vines (from islands.com): An exploratory piece focused on an underrated global wine destination. It skips over traditional powerhouses like France and Italy to look at an overlooked region that boasts incredibly deep historical roots and ancient, still-producing vines.
Here is a summary of the key stories featured in Mark Lenzi’s “Liquor Industry News” collection:
Mindful Drinking Podcast: An episode from The Wonderful World of Wine podcast (Episode 318) featuring hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi. They interview Carrie Boyle to discuss “Sip, Sense, and Savor: Unlocking the Mindful Glass,” focusing on mindful wine consumption and tasting practices.
Rethinking Sauternes: A feature from Robb Report suggesting that many wine drinkers are enjoying Sauternes all wrong. The article encourages readers to open up their palates to new possibilities and alternative food pairings for this famous French sweet wine.
Green River Bourbon Upgrades: An article via Inc. Magazine highlighting Green River distilling company, which previously made waves by winning a “World’s Best Bourbon” title with an affordable $35 bottle. The distillery has now released a highly anticipated, upgraded full-proof version of that award-winning whiskey.
The Classic Sherry Cobbler: A piece from Tasting Table providing a spotlight and recipe for the classic Sherry Cobbler cocktail, a historic, refreshing drink making a modern comeback.
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 320 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Unveiling Perfection: Napa’s New Icon with Jayson Hu From a world-class collector to a visionary creator, Jayson Hu is redefining the pinnacle of Napa Valley luxury. In this episode, Kim and Mark sit down with […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 319 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Wine Digital Marketing With Molly Bossardt In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with Molly Bossardt of Bread & Butter Digital Marketing to pull back the […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 318 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Sip, Sense, and Savor: Unlocking the Mindful Glass with Carrie Boyle Cheers, wine lovers! In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), your hosts Kim and Mark sit down with the incredibly multi-talented […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 317 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Tariffs, Triumphs, and the Supreme Court: A Conversation with Victor Owen Schwartz In this landmark episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with a true titan of the […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 316 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! From Food Critic to Wine Titan With Meridith May In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with a true powerhouse of the industry: Meridith May. As the […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 315 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Sustainability with Sandra Taylor In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark dive deep into the world of sustainable viticulture with special guest Sandra Taylor. As the author of […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 314 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! From Prescriptions to Stills with GlenPharmer Distillery In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with Beth and Patrick Downing, the visionary owners of Franklin, Massachusetts’ own […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 313 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Decoding the Wine Label with Marie Cheslik Ever feel like you need a PhD and a Rosetta Stone just to pick a decent bottle of Cabernet? You aren’t alone. This week on The Wonderful World […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 312 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring 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 exploring 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 exploring 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 exploring 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 exploring 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 exploring 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 exploring 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 […]
