The stories featured in Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News (08-11-26) collection cover a mix of industry launches, legal developments, and market trends:
1. China’s Top Wine Influencer “Lady Penguin” Faces Smuggling Trial
The Story: The company behind Wang Shenghan (known online as Lady Penguin), China’s prominent wine influencer with over 6 million followers, is set to stand trial in Beijing on September 1, 2026.
Details: Both the corporate entity (Beijing Lady Penguin Wines & Spirits) and an individual are accused of smuggling goods and duty evasion. This marks a dramatic downturn for a digital brand that previously generated up to RMB 350 million ($48M+) in annual sales before facing debt, lawsuits, and declining operations in recent years.
The Story: Startup PourPlays announced the official launch of its interactive “Play–Learn–Win” mobile platform designed to make wine education engaging for new generations of consumers.
Details: The app combines game mechanics (such as pairing challenges and trivia levels) with AI-powered tasting notes, live event integrations, and promotional coupons. It aims to bridge the disconnect between traditional wine marketing and younger, digitally native drinkers.
3. Bota Box Debuts Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in a 1.5-Liter Format
The Story: Major boxed wine brand Bota Box launched a premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon packaged in a 1.5-liter box (equivalent to two standard 750ml bottles) at a suggested retail price of $20.
Details: Crafted by winemaker Alicia Ysais using select lots from recent Napa vintages, the launch reflects growing industry demand for premium-tier wines packaged in sustainable, eco-friendly alternative formats.
4. A Look Back at Pre-1984 State Drinking Laws in the U.S.
The Story: A historical analysis published by VinePair explores the state-by-state landscape of legal drinking ages prior to the passage of the 1984 National Minimum Drinking Age Act.
Details: The article highlights how state drinking ages varied widely—ranging from 18 to 21—and examines how the federal government used federal highway funding leverage to standardize the age at 21 nationwide.
Here is a summary of the featured stories in Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News (08-10-26) collection on Flipboard:
Key Stories in this Edition
Liquor Industry News Roundup (thewonderfulworldofwine.education) Curated by wine & spirits educator Mark C. Lenzi, this issue covers industry updates, new beverage releases, regulatory notes, and retail market developments across the wine, spirits, and beer sectors.
How Weight-Loss Medication is Changing Relationships with Alcohol (BBC News) An exploration into an unexpected side effect of popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications (such as Ozempic and Wegovy): many users report a significant decrease in alcohol cravings and overall consumption alongside their reduced appetite.
Best Champagne for Celebrations: How to Choose (winesfromfrance.com) A practical guide to selecting Champagne for major milestones and events, detailing differences in sweetness levels, grape blends, price points, and serving tips for memorable toasts.
Mexico Became the World’s Largest Beer Exporter (mexicosolidarity.com) A report detailing Mexico’s dominant milestone as the top global exporter of beer, driven by sustained international demand for Mexican lager brands in major export markets like the United States.
Why it’s hoped Taylor’s latest innovation will go unnoticed
As db is first to report, Taylor’s Port has developed a new, lighter bottle for its fine fortified wines. We find out why CEO Adrian Bridge is hoping that consumers won’t notice.
Will Modelo and Corona brewing move from Mexico to the US?
US President Donald Trump is being urged by trade unionists to make some of America’s biggest beer brands “a lot more American”. But what is provoking the rift with Mexico over imported beer? db looks at the argument
One of Pinot Noir’s most famous, if not most famous, progeny, Chardonnay captured American hearts long before the heartbreak grape took center stage in the early aughts.
Heaven Hill’s Deep Eddy has launched a new Espresso-flavore d vodka, billed as a shortcut for making the popular Espresso Martini cocktail and other coffee-forward drinks. The 35% abv vodka is now available across the U.S. with the 750-ml. size retailing at $17; Deep Eddy Espresso is also available in 50-, 100-, and 375-ml. formats, plus larger sizes like 1- and 1.75-liter bottles. This is the 10th expression in the Deep Eddy portfolio, joining popular flavors like Ruby Red and Sweet Tea, among others. Last year, Deep Eddy was up 1% to 1.75 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
Bardstown finishes whiskey with pineapple
Lofted Spirits’ Bardstown Bourbon Company has introduced a Kentucky-exclusive expression, finished in pineapple rum casks sourced from the Caribbean.
11 Lesser-Known Beers You Should Try if You Love Hazy IPAs
Way back in the day, before craft beer rose to prominence, if a bartender served you a cloudy beer, you might send it back and start questioning the cleanliness of their tap lines. In today’s beer world, though, receiving a murky beer is considered by many to be an attractive feature.
Your Guide to Wheat Beer, From Hefeweizen to Berliner Weisse
From fruity German hefeweizens to citrusy Belgian witbiers and refreshingly tart Berliner weisse, here’s how to tell the world’s most popular wheat beers apart, and the best bottles to try this season.
Faux is an alcohol-free, wine-adjacent beverage made from verjus, wine grapes, fruit, and botanicals. Every ingredient has a role. Verjus provides acidity and structure. Wine grapes create a varietal foundation. Fruit brings balance and aromatic lift. Botanicals add savory complexity.
How Four Roses Is Shaping the Future of Bourbon Without Forgetting Its Past
Iconic brands never tread water. Instead, they make waves. Always in motion, these outfits manage to both honor longstanding tradition and stay ahead of trends via constant innovation.
Champagne to limit production to 250m bottles for 2026
The region of Champagne is to cap the amount of wine that can be made from this year’s harvest at 8,800kg/ha – the equivalent of around 250 million bottles.
Could craft beer be seeing the start of a second wave?
In the US, craft brewing trends have held steady, declines in operating breweries have slightly increased and consumer engagement has strengthened. Jessica Mason asks: are we seeing craft beer’s resurgence?
Why electrolytes have become wine’s newest additive
Joel Gott Wines has released Sauvy B, a canned Sauvignon Blanc spritz with electrolytes from pink Himalayan salt – the latest sign that ‘functional’ hydration ingredients, long confined to sports drinks and hangover cures, are moving into wine.
10 reasons why Moldovan wine should be on your radar
The story of Moldovan wine is one of fortitude in facing great challenges – and now this remarkable wine nation is ready to take its place on the global stage. We pick out 10 reasons why the country is worth a closer look by those in the drinks trade.
Super Mario’s namesake planted the grapes behind Washington’s only 96-point scoring white wine
Of all the white wines produced in Washington, only one earned a top score from the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, widely considered the Oscars of the wine world. The grapes that made it were planted by the man who inspired Nintendo’s most famous character.
Jimothy the viral raccoon gets his own beer can tribute from a top Mass. brewery
While Tree House shared few details about the can, it confirmed on Instagram that, “yes they are real, and they’re beautiful,” and that they’re on sale at the Charlton location.
Wales bids for world’s first natural wine appellation
Britain could become home to the world’s first appellation dedicated to natural wine, with Welsh producers seeking protected status for wines made without synthetic chemicals, additives or industrial yeasts. The proposed Natural Wine of Wales PGI would also require grapes to be grown and spontaneously fermented in Wales.
The “porch pounder” is a slang word for a wine that is light in alcohol, crisp in acidity, and easy drinking. These are the wines that don’t need food or even snacks to enjoy. You simply crack it open and guzzle it down, to live up to its phrase.
Hard seltzer loses its sparkle as the RTD market evolves
The past decade has seen the rise and fall of hard seltzers as they have morphed into other RTD categories. Can the sector regain the effervescence that initially made it so popular?
Old Elk, owned by Ohio’s Middle West Spirits, has announced a trio of 10-year-old whiskies, the first major new releases from Old Elk since its May 2025 acquisition by Middle West. The new releases include a Straight Bourbon, a wheat whiskey, and a wheated Bourbon, all retailing for $70 a 750-ml. The Bourbon is made from a mash of 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye, and bottled at 52.5% abv. The wheat whiskey is distilled from 96% rye and 4% malted barley and released at 51.5% abv. Finally, Old Elk’s new wheated Bourbon is bottled at 52.5% abv and distilled from 51% corn, 46% wheat, and 3% malted barley. All three are rolling out now across the U.S.
The European Sparkling Wines Tell a Story in Every Sip
With 27 countries spanning 1.5 million square miles, 446 million inhabitants and 24 languages, the European Union (EU) is the third largest exporter of agricultural and agri-food products consumed in the U.S. Products produced in the EU not only have a long cultural history steeped in culinary tradition, but are held to rigorous standards denoted by a specially developed set of EU Quality Labels designed to assure consumers are not only getting a top-caliber product, but to also inform them about the product’s background.
It’s one of the most recognizable regional identities in the world, and it carries that recognition into everything: from wine labels to travel brochures to the produce aisle at a grocery store
‘Worst crisis since WWII’: Bordeaux wildfires continue amid extreme heat
As wildfires continue to blaze near Bordeaux, in what President Emmanuel Macron has described as the toughest situation France has faced since World War II, the country’s celebrated wine region confronts a growing environmental crisis.
Australian wine exports have fallen to their lowest level in more than two decades as a worldwide decline in wine consumption weighs on demand, according to a new industry report.
Chinese brewer Tsingtao has joined forces with Great Northern Distillery to make Irish whiskey for Asian consumers, with plans to open a distillery in China.
US wine industry risks losing ground without collective marketing
While regional trade organizations “do excellent work”, the US wine trade “does not do a fantastic job” of collective marketing, says agency founder behind anti-prohibitionist campaign.
Here is a summary of the featured articles in Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News (08-09-26) collection on Flipboard:
1. Friuli DOC: A Systemic Vision of Great Wines and Territories
Source: Great Italian Food Trade (by Dario Dongo)
Summary: Explores the controlled designation of origin (DOC) for “Friuli” / “Friuli Venezia Giulia,” which protects 21 (expanding to 23) recognized types of wines across four provinces in northern Italy. The article highlights systemic quality standards, regional identity, and market protection for Friulian wines.
2. Change Up Your Usual Cranberry Vodka Cocktail With One Additional Ingredient
Source: Tasting Table (by Josie Dlugosz)
Summary: A quick mixology feature that offers simple techniques to upgrade the staple vodka-cranberry cocktail year-round by adding a single complimentary flavor accent.
3. How To Make Limoncello The Amalfi Way: Four Ingredients And Ninety Days Of Patience
Source: Gamin Traveler (by Ruben Arribas)
Summary: Details the traditional Amalfi Coast approach to crafting homemade limoncello. It breaks down the process requiring only four fundamental ingredients—lemons, alcohol, sugar, and water—along with a 90-day steeping and aging period for optimal flavor.
4. Classic Golf Course Beers You’ll Want to Drink This Summer
Source: The Manual
Summary: A roundup of crisp, refreshing, and sessionable classic beers ideal for drinking during a round of golf in hot summer weather.
Here is a summary of the featured stories in Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News:
Key Headlines & Summaries
Slovenian Winemakers Face Threat of Not Being Allowed to Sell Wine (The Morning Claret)
Summary: Slovenian winemakers are facing regulatory hurdles and uncertainty following new regional wine legislation, which creates risks around compliance and licensing that could prevent some producers from legally selling their wines.
Cutwater Named Fastest-Growing Alcohol Brand in the U.S. (The Spirits Business)
Summary: Anheuser-Busch InBev’s ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail brand, Cutwater, recorded a 104% growth surge over the past 12 months, making it the fastest-growing alcohol brand in the United States amidst rising consumer demand for premium RTD beverages.
Exploring Eight EU Wine Regions Set to Win Over Drinkers (The Drinks Business)
Summary: Highlighting a recent industry masterclass, this piece explores eight emerging European Union wine regions positioned to gain market share by leveraging strong EU quality assurance standards and evolving consumer preferences.
New Study Finds Alcohol Industry Fails on Nutrition & Ingredient Transparency (Center for Science in the Public Interest / CSPI)
Summary: A report published by health advocacy groups highlights significant gaps in consumer disclosure across major alcoholic beverage manufacturers, arguing that the industry lags behind food and non-alcoholic drinks in disclosing calorie counts, ingredients, and nutritional facts.
Here is a summary of the stories featured in the “Liquor Industry News 08-07-26” collection on Flipboard:
How a More Casual Drinker Gets the Most Out of the Fancy Coravin Wine Preserver (Bon Appétit) The author explains how the Coravin wine preservation system helps them keep their sparkling wine carbonated for much longer, allowing them to enjoy summer cocktails at their own pace without wasting bottles as overall alcohol consumption habits trend downwards.
How To Order Wine Like An Expert (Mashed) This piece offers advice on how to confidently navigate a wine list. It provides insights from wine industry veterans on how to tackle ordering wine at a restaurant, emphasizing that sommeliers are there to help guide you rather than intimidate you.
Your Wine Habit Could Be Doing Public Good (Wine Spectator) While most wine lovers focus on what’s inside the bottle, this article highlights the “Cork Collective” and its efforts to recycle corks. The initiative proves that the stoppers themselves can be repurposed and used for the public good.
Are campers a massive untapped market for drinks? (The Drinks Business) This story explores the growing trend of camping and outdoor recreation, asking whether the beverage and liquor industry is missing out on a large, potentially lucrative demographic by not marketing more specifically to campers.
Jinro Soju Retains Title as World’s Best-Selling Spirit South Korea’s Jinro Soju remains the top-selling spirit brand globally, beating out Scotch whiskies, vodka, and rum. The brand moved 94.5 million cases over the past year, marking its 25th consecutive year holding the #1 worldwide spot.
Idaho’s Wine Scene Gains Recognition A feature on Idaho’s growing wine industry highlights 3100 Cellars, the state’s only dedicated sparkling wine house. Located near Boise, the producer is leading the charge in showcasing Idaho as an essential destination for wine enthusiasts.
2026 Great Taste Awards: Only 5 Beers Earn 3 Stars Out of more than 15,000 food and drink entries evaluated at the Great Taste competition, only five beers from four breweries achieved the highest honor of three stars, designating them as “exquisite and extraordinary.”
VinePair’s 30 Best Gins VinePair released its annual roundup reviewing and ranking the top 30 gins, detailing emerging flavor profiles and top-performing distilleries.
Here is a summary of the featured stories in Liquor Industry News (08-05-26) curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine):
1. Sarah Jessica Parker & Invivo Bottled the Internet’s Spiciest Wine Trend
Source: Wine Industry Advisor
Summary: Actress Sarah Jessica Parker and New Zealand-based Invivo Winemakers have teamed up again to release a new bottle inspired by viral social media wine trends. The release capitalizing on trending flavor profiles and digital wine culture highlights ongoing celebrity collaboration in the beverage industry.
2. 10 Lime Beers, Ranked Worst to Best
Source: Tasting Table (by Emily Hunt)
Summary: Moving beyond the classic ritual of putting a fresh lime wedge into a Corona bottle, this ranking evaluates ten commercially available lime-infused beers on the market, reviewing their balance of citrus flavor, sweetness, and drinkability from worst to best.
3. Global Alcohol-Related Deaths Fall by 26%
Source: The Spirits Business (by Lauren Bowes)
Summary: A recent report based on data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) reveals that the global alcohol-attributable mortality rate has declined by over 25% since 2010, indicating shifts in global consumption habits and improved public health awareness.
4. Is Wine Good for You? What the Evidence Says
Source: The Drinks Business
Summary: This piece examines the latest scientific research and clinical evidence surrounding wine consumption, contrasting long-held health claims (such as resveratrol and heart health benefits) with modern epidemiological guidelines on alcohol intake.
Here is a summary of the stories featured in Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News (08-04-26) collection on Flipboard:
1. Declining Wine Consumption: Reliving 1986 or 1993?
Source: Substack (Tom Wark)
Summary: Analyzes current downward trends in U.S. per-capita wine consumption. The piece draws parallels to historical downturns in 1986 and 1993 to evaluate whether the American wine market is experiencing a temporary contraction or a long-term structural shift.
2. Tales of Kosher Alcohol
Source: talk-a-vino.com
Summary: Explores the landscape of kosher wines, spirits, and liquors (including whiskey, tequila, and vodka). It breaks down how kosher certifications influence production and consumer purchasing decisions beyond just price considerations.
3. Daily Marijuana Use Surpasses Daily Drinking in the U.S.
Source: Fox News (Angelica Stabile)
Summary: Reports on SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) survey data showing a major shift in substance habits. With 21.4 million Americans reporting daily or near-daily cannabis use, daily marijuana consumption has officially surpassed daily alcohol drinking in the United States.
4. How Heatwaves Affect What We Drink
Source: The Drinks Business
Summary: Examines how rising temperatures and seasonal heatwaves alter consumer preferences, driving shifts toward lighter, colder, and lower-ABV beverage formats.
Here is a summary of the featured stories in Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News (08-03-26) collection from The Wonderful World of Wine:
1. Episode 321 — Crushin’ It in Boston: Redefining Wine Culture with Gabrielle Malina
Source: The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast
Summary: Co-hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi sit down with Gabrielle Malina, the driving force behind Boston’s First Crush. The episode explores how local wine culture is being redefined through natural wines, community-focused events, and initiatives aimed at making wine more approachable and inclusive for everyday consumers.
2. The World’s Best-Selling Vodka Isn’t Grey Goose or Ketel One — It’s Cheaper
Source: Tasting Table
Summary: Despite the premium marketing of brands like Grey Goose, Cîroc, or Ketel One, Smirnoff remains the undisputed global leader in vodka sales. Backed by global distribution via Diageo, Smirnoff moves roughly 23.4 million nine-liter cases annually—nearly double its closest competitor, Absolut. Its dominance is driven by an affordable price point (~$12 a bottle) and its status as an industry-standard, versatile workhorse mixer for high-volume bars.
3. Why You’ll Never Find Norway’s Best-Selling Beer on American Shelves
Source: Tasting Table
Summary: Norway’s top-selling pilsner, Ringnes Bryggeri (brewed since 1886 and owned by Carlsberg), is virtually impossible to find in the United States. Due to heavy alcohol production taxes in Scandinavia and high US import costs, bringing the domestic lager stateside is economically unfeasible for distributors. While traditional Norwegian lager remains abroad, American beer lovers can still sample Norwegian influence through craft imports or local beers brewed using traditional Norwegian kveik yeast.
4. What Real Vikings Drank When They Wanted Something Stronger Than Beer
Source: The Takeout
Summary: Centuries before modern distillation introduced hard liquor to Scandinavia, wealthy Vikings drank fruit wine when they wanted drinks with higher alcohol content than standard beer or mead. Using locally abundant ingredients like cherries, apples, pears, lingonberries, and cloudberries, ancient producers fermented fruit wines reaching ABVs similar to modern grape wines—a craft that parallels today’s revival in artisanal fruit wines, traditional ciders, and perries.
Here is a summary of the featured stories from Mark Lenzi’s curated magazine issue, Liquor Industry News:
1. Non-Alcoholic Fall Beers: Samuel Adams NA Octoberfest & Apple Spice Ale
Source: Tasting Table (Julia Duda)
Summary: Samuel Adams is expanding its non-alcoholic lineup for autumn with new offerings including NA Octoberfest and Apple Spice Ale. The review highlights how craft brewers are increasingly translating complex, seasonal flavors into the non-alcoholic space to meet growing consumer demand for zero-proof autumn beverages.
2. Legendary Rye Whiskey of the American West
Source: Tasting Table (Autumn Swiers)
Summary: This piece dives into the historical lore of classic rye whiskey tied to iconic Old West figures like John Henry “Doc” Holliday in Tombstone, Arizona. It explores how traditional rye spirits played a central role in frontier saloon culture and continue to hold a distinct legacy in American whiskey heritage.
3. The Rise of Sake in the U.S.
Source: CBS News
Summary: Highlighting the booming popularity of Japanese rice wine across the United States, this feature profiles sommelier Daniel Bennett of Chicago’s Omakase Room. Bennett breaks down the nuances, production traditions, and food-pairing versatility that make high-grade sake increasingly popular among American diners.
4. Canadian Wine Destinations: Quebec City Region
Source: Mansion Global
Summary: The article showcases the wine region situated near Quebec City as an underrated luxury destination for wine enthusiasts. It spotlights boutique, cool-climate wineries producing notable ice wines, whites, and sparkling varieties in picturesque settings like Île d’Orléans.
Here is a summary of the featured stories from Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News (08-01-26) collection:
1. Portuguese Cork Association Launches “Drink Responsibly” Campaign
Source: PR Newswire / APCOR
Summary: The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) launched a nationwide US campaign titled “Drink Responsibly. Choose a Bottle with a Natural Cork.” The initiative aims to educate consumers on mindful drinking while raising awareness about the sustainability, quality, and environmental benefits of natural cork closures in wine.
2. Boston Beer Company’s Sun Cruiser Hard Tea
Source: VinePair
Summary: An in-depth look at Sun Cruiser, Boston Beer Company’s alternative hard tea line alongside Twisted Tea. Made with real spirits and tea, the brand focuses on lower-ABV, refreshing offerings with line-ups including Classic Iced Tea and Half & Half (lemonade and iced tea), with plans for line expansions.
3. US Wine Industry & Collective Marketing Challenges
Source: The Drinks Business
Summary: Industry agency leadership warns that while regional wine associations perform strong localized promotion, the broader US wine sector lacks a unified, collective national marketing strategy. Without generic, industry-wide promotional efforts, the US wine market risks losing consumer ground to competing beverage categories.
4. Tsingtao Expands into Irish Whiskey
Source: The Spirits Business
Summary: Prominent Chinese brewing giant Tsingtao is diversifying its portfolio beyond beer by partnering with Ireland’s Great Northern Distillery to enter the growing Irish whiskey segment.
Here is a summary of the news stories featured in Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News:
1. Australian Wine Exports Drop to 22-Year Low (The Drinks Business)
Key Takeaway: Australian wine exports have dropped to their lowest level in over two decades.
Details: The decline is primarily driven by a broader global drop in wine consumption, which continues to put downward pressure on international demand for Australian vintages.
2. ‘Worst Crisis Since WWII’: Bordeaux Wildfires Continue Amid Extreme Heat (The Drinks Business)
Key Takeaway: Extreme heatwaves and wildfires near Bordeaux have created severe crisis conditions for the region.
Details: The fires and scorching temperatures have severely disrupted local wine regions, with officials describing the situation as one of the hardest challenges the area has faced in modern history.
3. How to Pair Tequila With Food Without Screwing It Up (Tequila Report)
Key Takeaway: A practical guide to integrating tequila into dinner pairings rather than treating spirits and food as separate entities.
Details: Author Jay Baer breaks down how different styles of tequila (Blanco, Reposado, Añejo) complement various flavor profiles, sauces, and cooking techniques to elevate meal pairings.
4. 10 Summer Cocktails Food & Wine Readers Loved This July (Food & Wine)
Key Takeaway: A roundup of the most popular summer drinks favored by readers over the month.
Details: Features top-rated seasonal cocktail recipes, emphasizing refreshing ingredients, fruit-forward flavors, and easy-to-make summer classics.
The Story: Beyoncé has formally taken full ownership of SirDavis American Whisky, a brand created in partnership with Moët Hennessy (LVMH).
The Details: Named after her great-grandfather Davis Hogue—a prohibition-era moonshiner—the brand reflects a high-rye American whisky profile finished in sherry casks.
Svedka Introduces a “Vodka Water Cooler”
The Story: Svedka Vodka (owned by Sazerac) launched a marketing campaign featuring an office-style water cooler dispensing its new Ready-To-Drink (RTD) canned Vodka Waters.
The Details: This move targets the fast-growing canned RTD market, capitalizing on the shift away from sugary malt beverages toward low-calorie, spirit-based canned drinks.
European Sparkling Wines & Regional Heritage
The Story: A feature by VinePair exploring how European sparkling wines (beyond Champagne, such as Cava, Prosecco, and Crémant) communicate regional identity and terroir.
The Takeaway: As the European Union remains the world’s third-largest wine exporter, producers are doubling down on regional heritage to connect with budget-conscious yet craft-focused consumers.
Tuscan Terroir Focus: Wine, Food, and Olive Oil
The Story: A spotlight piece via Vero examining the agricultural triad of Tuscany, with a focus on Sangiovese-based reds (like Montalcino) produced without oak aging to preserve freshness and versatility with food
The Wine That Refuses to Behave: A Love Letter to Pét-Nat (Substack – Sandra E. Taylor)
The Premise: For those looking for sparkling wine without paying Champagne prices, Pétillant Naturel (Pét-Nat) is having a moment.
Takeaway: Made using the ancient méthode ancestrale (where wine is bottled before primary fermentation completes), Pét-Nat offers a playful, rustic, and unpredictable sparkle that makes high-end bubbles feel accessible and fun for casual summer drinking.
The Case for Buying Wine You Actually Understand (River Journal Online – Thurman Hunter)
The Premise: Most consumers experience aisle anxiety—grabbing bottles based on familiar price points or pretty labels and hoping for the best.
Takeaway: The article argues for demystifying wine shopping. Instead of trying to decipher overly complex or obscure descriptions, consumers benefit far more from buying styles and regions they genuinely understand and enjoy.
What Happens When Every Wine Region Wants to Be Premium? (Food & Wine Aesthetics – Dwight Furrow)
The Premise: Exploring the global industry push toward “premiumization,” using regions like Montepulciano d’Abruzzo in Italy as an example.
Takeaway: As nearly every wine region tries to elevate its status and price tier, it shifts market dynamics—forcing consumers to navigate higher prices while regions balance local tradition with high-end global prestige.
Ditching Industry Jargon: “Porch Pounders” (Substack / Kiersten Hickman) A commentary examining the popular casual term “porch pounder”—frequently used to describe easy-drinking, high-acid summer wines—and arguing why the phrasing dilutes appreciation for light-bodied wines and should be retired by industry professionals.
Wales Pursues World’s First Natural Wine Appellation (The Drinks Business / Barnaby Eales) Welsh wine producers are applying for formal protected status to establish the world’s first official natural wine appellation, signaling growing recognition and regulatory structure for low-intervention winemaking in the UK.
Old Forester Unveils Milestone Louisville Release (The Spirits Business / Joe Rogers) Old Forester has introduced the latest expression in its limited 117 Series. This release marks a significant brand milestone as the first whiskey produced entirely at its downtown Louisville, Kentucky distillery since the facility re-opened.
Cocktail Alternatives: Twist on the Long Island Iced Tea A feature exploring cocktail variations and substitutions—such as the Florida Iced Tea—offering drinkers alternative recipes when tequila or standard bar staples run short.
Here is a breakdown of the featured stories in the “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 07-27-26” Flipboard magazine, curated by wine specialist Mark C. Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine):
Key Article Summaries
“Say Goodbye To Mediocre Wine — This 20-Minute Rule Makes It Taste Premium”
Source: Tasting Table (by Sean Bell)
Summary: Offers accessible serving hacks to instantly elevate inexpensive wines. The core tip centers on proper temperature management—chilling lighter reds for roughly 20 minutes before serving, or taking whites out of the fridge 20 minutes ahead to unlock their full aroma and flavor profile without muting them.
“What Is Blouge Wine? A Guide to the Chilled Hybrid”
Source: Wine Guide 101 (by Damon Segal)
Summary: Explores the emerging trend of “Blouge” (a blend/co-fermentation of white and red grapes). Positioned between a light red and a dark rosé, these juicy, low-tannin hybrid wines are designed to be served chilled, appealing to modern drinkers looking for vibrant, casual summer wines.
“The Wildest Flavored Vodkas Bartenders Actually Recommend”
Source: Food & Wine (by Kate Dingwall)
Summary: Highlights unique and unorthodox flavored vodkas that professional bartenders endorse for craft cocktails. It looks beyond artificial sweet flavors to focus on savory, botanical, or craft-infused spirits that add genuine complexity to drinks.
“Liquor Industry News 07-27-26”
Source: The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Education (by Mark C. Lenzi)
Summary: An industry news roundup covering new product rollouts, retail beverage trends, market insights, and educational updates for industry professionals and wine enthusiasts.
French vineyards battle extreme heat as climate pressures mount
French wine producers are facing another difficult growing season as record-breaking temperatures compound the effects of frost, hail and prolonged drought across key regions.
France’s prolonged summer heat and drought are shrinking grape development across major wine regions, with Champagne growers expecting yields to fall around 10% and harvests beginning weeks earlier than normal.
Uncle Nearest receiver claims lender ‘ignored red flags’
The receiver for Uncle Nearest has filed a counterclaim against Farm Credit Mid-America, arguing that the lender’s failures helped the alleged fraud remain under the radar for years.
In American whiskey, bourbon reigns supreme, a position supported by measures both quantitative (sales) and qualitative (fame). But it’s far from the country’s only whiskey style. The U.S. boasts a range of other categories, including some that predate bourbon itself.
Weavers sacked from Uncle Nearest amid federal investigation
Uncle Nearest’s co-founders, Fawn and Keith Weaver, have been dismissed from the company, as its receiver disclosed he is cooperating with ongoing federal investigations.
Roman women managed wine and olive oil production on ancient farms, study finds
For years, historians described the Roman vilica, or female farm manager, as a housekeeper whose work focused on meals, cleaning, and supervising servants inside the home. A new study argues this view misses one of the most important jobs on a Roman estate. Evidence shows many vilicae managed large farming operations, especially the production of wine and olive oil, two of the estate’s main sources of income.
Freeze, drought make 2026 a difficult year for Virginia vineyards
Despite some recent rain, Virginia remains in a drought—the latest insult for vineyards where grape crops were crushed by an early freeze followed by extreme temperatures. WMRA’s Christine Kueter reports.
Wines by the glass in the US are becoming sweeter as a global trend for ‘friendlier’ table wines begins to take hold. And European regions including Bordeaux and the Rhône are considering adapting legislation to follow suit, reports Roger Morris.
Trinchero Releases ‘Sauvy B,’ a Wine Spritzer With Added Electrolytes
At a time when the wine industry attempts to court younger consumers and better-for-you trends swarm the market, Trinchero Family Wine and Spirits is releasing Sauvy B, a ready-to-drink (RTD), citrus-flavored wine spritz containing electrolytes, the alcohol conglomerate announced today. Famed winemaker Joel Gott partnered with Trinchero, the third largest wine supplier in the U.S., to produce Sauvy B
What the Wine World Teaches Us About Taste (and Smell)
Before anything makes it to our mouths, all drinking and dining experiences start with our eyes. In the case of wine, tasters consider the color and opacity of the liquid before them, and swirl it around to assess its legs, or the streaks the liquid leaves on the side of the glass. Then, they raise it to their noses and inhale deeply for the bouquet, parsing which scents they glean. Finally, it’s time to take a sip.
Bardstown, Kentucky’s Heaven Hill Distilleryhas announced Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash, a new whiskey marrying a traditional Bourbon and a wheated Bourbon. The 50% abv bottling is a blend of two 9-year-old whiskies made during the same distillation season by the company. Two-thirds of the final blend is a Bourbon distilled from a mash of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, with the final third a wheated Bourbon made from a 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley mashbill. Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash ($50) will be available in limited quantities across the U.S. beginning in August.
Inside a Kentucky Rickhouse
A Whiskey Distiller Explains How Barrel Placement Impacts Bourbon
What the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Roundup Means for Wine (and the World)
In a 7-2 opinion, Supreme Court Justices sided with Monsanto, agreeing to shield the agricultural giant from future liability against those claiming its weed killer, RoundUp, caused adverse health effects.
Adelaide University is developing laser-based technology that could detect counterfeit alcohol and identify dangerous chemicals, like methanol, inside unopened spirits bottles.
US restaurants pushing wine markups to six times cost
Restaurant wine pricing in the US has become “a particular pain point” for the category, with some venues now taking six-times markups on bottles, according to Gino Colangelo, founder and president of Colangelo & Partners, the New York-based wine PR agency.
Canadian non-profit association for cider makers Cider Canada has received federal support to expand into international markets. db looks into what this could mean for the category’s prosperity.
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