New Beer, Wine And Liquor Products
06-12-26
Posts Tagged ‘Readers choice award’
Liquor Industry News 06-12-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 12, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
The provided link points to a curated digital magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-12-26” on Flipboard. This collection is compiled by Mark Lenzi, a certified wine and spirits professional, retailer, and co-host of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) podcast and educational platform.
Rather than a single article, this link serves as a daily industry dashboard and news aggregator. It synthesizes a rotating selection of roughly 10 to 20 trending articles, press releases, and columns from major beverage and lifestyle publications (such as Wine Enthusiast, VinePair, The Drinks Business, and Food & Wine).
Liquor Industry News 06-11-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 11, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This link provided points to a specific digital magazine entry on Flipboard titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-11-26.” Here is what this link is about:
1. The Curator
The content is curated by Mark Lenzi, a highly certified wine and spirits professional based in Massachusetts. He is the owner of Franklin Liquors and the co-host of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) educational podcast and blog. He holds numerous advanced industry titles (including CSW, CSS, and CWAS) and uses Flipboard to track the global and domestic beverage trades.
2. Format & Purpose
This link is part of Lenzi’s long-running daily curation series. On Flipboard, he uses the “magazine” layout as a digital news aggregator. Instead of being a single article, it serves as a daily dashboard or “snapshot” that brings together the most important stories, press releases, market data, and trend reports across the alcohol industry for June 11, 2026.
3. What the Content Covers
While the exact list of articles on this specific day’s dashboard constantly updates with the day’s breaking news, Mark Lenzi’s daily Flipboard collections generally compile 10 to 20 articles from major global publications (such as Wine Enthusiast, The Drinks Business, VinePair, and Food & Wine).
The aggregated stories typically focus on:
- Market Trends: Updates on industry shifts, such as consumer spending habits, inflation impacts, or the rise of Ready-to-Drink (RTD) canned cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Wine & Spirits Education: Deep dives into winemaking techniques, region classifications, distillery news, or vineyard technology.
- Culture & Lifestyle: Travel guides for wine regions, celebrity/athlete alcohol brand reviews, and advice on food pairings.
It is essentially a daily news digest built for liquor industry professionals, bartenders, sommelier students, and wine enthusiasts who want to see what is trending in the beverage world on June 11, 2026.
Liquor Industry News 06-10-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 10, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This link points to a curated Flipboard “magazine” titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-10-26”.
It is put together by Mark Lenzi, creator of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), who regularly compiles trending news across the wine, beer, and spirits sectors.
The collection contains 19 stories from various lifestyle and beverage publications. Some of the featured highlights include:
- Coors Light’s New ‘Tallerboy’: A Food & Wine article about Coors Light launching a massive, oversized canister designed to hold the equivalent of three beers at once.
- Bordeaux Wine Trends: A piece from The Drinks Business detailing how an increasing number of Bordeaux producers are abandoning strict regional appellation rules in favor of the more flexible “Vin de France” designation to experiment with grape varieties.
- Elijah Craig Bourbon Revival: A Food & Wine piece reporting on Heaven Hill reintroducing its rare 21-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon at 94 proof after being off the market for over a decade.
- Simplified Cocktails: A summer trends report from Delish noting that bartenders are seeing a shift away from overly complex cocktails in favor of simpler drinks.
- U.S. Alcohol Consumption Data: A map and data analysis from VinePair breaking down the latest numbers on which states consume the most liquor per capita.
- Wine and Salmon Pairings: A Real Simple feature interviewing sommeliers on why a light red wine (like Pinot Noir) often makes a better pairing for rich salmon than standard white wines.
Liquor Industry News 06-09-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 9, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-09-26”, curated by Mark Lenzi (from The Wonderful World of Wine), features a collection of articles focusing on wine industry trends, health studies, celebrity spirits, and travel.
Here are the featured stories from that collection:
- “Beyond the Buzzwords: The Evolution of the Natural Wine Movement” (via Substack / Sandra E. Taylor)
- Summary: This piece dives into the misconception that all wine is naturally an unadulterated product of the soil. It explores what “natural wine” actually means today and how the movement is evolving beyond just marketing buzzwords.
- “When People Say They Want Sustainable Wine, Are They Telling the Truth?” (via Substack / Robert Joseph)
- Summary: An industry analysis looking at consumer behavior versus consumer stated preferences. While surveys and research frequently show that consumers demand greener, more sustainable winemaking practices, this piece questions whether their actual purchasing habits back up those claims.
- “No Increased Risk of Cancer Death from Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Study” (via Substack / Tom Wark)
- Summary: This article addresses the ongoing public health debate regarding alcohol consumption, highlighting a study indicating that moderate drinking doesn’t necessarily carry an increased risk of cancer death, while challenging how organizations like the WHO and mainstream media report on alcohol health risks.
- “What’s Actually in Your Wine, and Why Almost None of It is on the Label” (via Substack / Raphael Ventresca)
- Summary: An inside look into the modern winemaking process, revealing how common ingredients like cultured yeast, fining agents, added sugars, and sulfur are frequently used in production but rarely listed on the final bottle label.
- “Are Athlete-Made Spirits Actually Good? We Tested Them in a March Madness-Style Bracket” (via Food & Wine / Ray Isle)
- Summary: A fun, competitive review of the booming celebrity alcohol market—specifically looking at liquor brands owned or endorsed by famous athletes. The author pits various athlete-backed spirits against each other in a bracket style to see which ones actually taste good.
- “Just Outside Philadelphia Is Pennsylvania’s Scenic County Known For Wineries And World-Class Gardens” (via Islands / Kaylee Giacomini)
- Summary: A travel and lifestyle feature showcasing Chester County, Pennsylvania. It highlights the region as an underrated, scenic getaway famous for its local wineries and beautiful public gardens.
Liquor Industry News 06-08-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 8, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This link opens up a curated Flipboard magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-08-26”, put together by Mark Lenzi from The Wonderful World of Wine. It contains 15 stories tailored for wine and spirits enthusiasts looking into industry trends, tips, and travel destinations.
Here are some of the standout stories featured in the collection:
🎙️ Featured Podcast Episode
- Episode 317 – Tariffs, Triumphs, and the Supreme Court: A Conversation with Victor Owen Schwartz (via SoundCloud)
- Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi host a discussion tackling how major legal landscapes—including Supreme Court decisions and international tariffs—are directly impacting the wine and spirits market.
🍷 Wine Culture & Travel
- The 7 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit This Summer (via Robb Report)
- A guide to the absolute must-visit tasting rooms in America’s most famous wine country, designed for travelers planning an epicurean summer adventure.
- What a Restaurant’s Cheapest Wine Really Tells You About the Rest of the Menu (via Spatula Desserts)
- An insider look at restaurant psychology and menu design, revealing how a venue’s entry-level wine selection reflects the quality, care, and pricing of the food items.
🍹 Summer Drink Trends
- 12 Expert Tips for Adding Coconut Water to Your Cocktails This Summer (via Tasting Table)
- A practical piece for summer hosting that bridges the gap between hydration and mixology, offering expert tricks on balancing flavors when adding coconut water to seasonal drinks.
Liquor Industry News 06-07-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 7, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This Flipboard link leads to a curated digital magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-07-26,” put together by Mark Lenzi under the profile The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW).
The featured story spotlighted in this specific edition focuses heavily on the debate surrounding proper wine service aesthetics versus functionality:
- “Wine Pros Agree: You’re Using the Wrong Glass for Champagne” (from Food & Wine, written by Gina Pace)
- The Core Argument: While the classic, slender Champagne flute has long been the universal symbol for celebrations, beverage professionals argue that it actually hinders your drinking experience.
- Why it matters: The narrow design of a traditional flute prevents the wine from opening up, trapping the complex aromas and subtle nuances of a high-quality Champagne. Drinkers who stick strictly to flutes miss out on the full sensory profile that a slightly wider glass can unlock.
Liquor Industry News 06-06-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 6, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This link takes you to a curated Flipboard magazine called “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-06-26,” put together by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine). It tracks a mix of quirky history, industry trends, and beverage science.
A few of the standout stories featured in this specific roundup include:
🔬 Ancient Brews & Science
- Beer From a Mummy: Researchers are planning a highly unusual brewing project. They have managed to collect prehistoric yeast strains from the preserved corpse of Ötzi the Iceman—the famous 5,300-year-old mummy discovered frozen in the Alps—and intend to use them to brew a truly ancient style of beer.
✈️ Beverage Trends & Dynamics
- Wine at 30,000 Feet: An industry piece breaks down why wine tastes entirely different when you are on a plane. Because aircraft cabins are pressurized to altitudes equivalent to 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level, your taste buds change. Wine judges weigh in on what actually makes a wine profile survive and taste good at high altitudes.
- The Rise of Ranch Water: Food & Wine highlights the enduring appeal of “Ranch Water,” the ultra-simple, refreshing Texas staple cocktail consisting of tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico sparkling mineral water.
🥃 Distillery Culture
- Naming the Stills: A fun feature from VinePair explores the personality behind liquor production. Because copper stills are essentially the heart and soul of any distillery operation, distillers frequently treat them like family, giving their favorite ones clever, historical, or flat-out bizarre nicknames.
The magazine serves as a neat snapshot of how modern science, pop culture, and ancient history are intersecting in the beverage world right now.
New Products This Week-Franklin Liquors New Beer, Wine, Liquor
June 5, 2026New Beer, Wine And Liquor Products
06-05-26
Liquor Industry News 06-05-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 5, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This link points to a curated Flipboard magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-05-26,” put together by Mark Lenzi from The Wonderful World of Wine. The collection features 18 stories exploring various facets of the beverage world, with a heavy emphasis on demystifying wine concepts, industry trends, and consumer communication.
The top featured stories from this collection include:
- “What Is ABV And Why Does It Matter?” (Substack – Paul Gregutt) This piece digs into the basics of alcohol by volume (ABV). It discusses how ABV serves as a core baseline fact in almost every wine review and why understanding that percentage is important for both flavor profiles and consumer awareness.
- “A Certified Cicerone’s Guide to Beer for Wine Lovers” (Food & Wine – Sean Evans) Written from the perspective of beer expert Anne Becerra, this article explores how wine enthusiasts can easily navigate the beer aisle. It offers practical tips on reading freshness dates, recognizing complex beer styles, and finding common ground between the two beverage worlds.
- “What does that even mean?” (Substack – Lettie Teague) A deep dive into industry communication and wine jargon. Highlighting a headline that reads “Taste Communication Costs Wine Industry Seven Million New Consumers,” Teague explores her personal pet peeves with convoluted wine language and suggests how better communication can prevent alienating casual drinkers. It also highlights a great, budget-friendly rosé.
- “Why diversity is Grüner Veltliner’s ace in the hole” (The Drinks Business) This story covers the versatility and distinct styles of Austria’s flagship white grape variety, Grüner Veltliner, explaining how its stylistic range makes it a powerful asset in the global market.
Overall, the collection leans into education and bridging the gap between industry professionals and consumers.
Liquor Industry News 06-04-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 4, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This Flipboard magazine, curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine), contains a roundup of 14 stories focused on the beverage and liquor industry.
The main highlighted stories include a mix of industry retrospectives, product guides, travel features, and archeological discoveries:
- The 15 Beers That Defined American Craft Brewing — and Where They Are Now (from VinePair): Written by Aaron Goldfarb, this retrospective covers the evolution of the American craft beer movement. It looks back at the foundational beers that challenged “Big Beer” lagers and tracks what has happened to those classic brews today.
- The 10 Best High-Proof Tequilas (from VinePair): A guide by Stephen Bradley breaking down top-tier, high-proof tequilas. The piece notes how consumer perceptions of tequila have shifted, highlighting how the spirit is moving beyond its “party drink” reputation into a more appreciated, complex category.
- You Have to Ride This Beautiful Wine Train in Napa, California (from Time Out): A travel and experience piece by Erika Mailman highlighting the Napa Valley Wine Train, detailing how it successfully pairs vintage train travel with premium California wine tastings.
- Oldest Wine in the World Is Still Liquid Inside 2,000-Year-Old Roman Funeral Urn (from ZME Science): A fascinating historical piece by Tibi Puiu covering an archeological discovery where liquid wine was found remarkably preserved inside an ancient Roman tomb’s funeral urn.
The collection as a whole is designed to bridge the gap between casual beverage lovers and industry insiders, touching on beer, spirits, wine culture, and history.
Liquor Industry News 06-03-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 3, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
Here is a look at the featured stories highlighted in Mark Lenzi’s “Liquor Industry News” collection from today:
- America’s First Low-Alcohol Craft Brewery Is Here (Food & Wine) This piece looks at how the craft beer scene is pivoting toward moderation. It spotlights “Dad Strength,” a 2.9% ABV IPA designed for weeknight drinking, showing how brewers are focusing on full-flavor, low-alcohol options rather than the heavy, 10% ABV double IPAs that dominated the 2010s.
- Sazerac Launches AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey (The Spirits Business) Sazerac (the prominent spirits company best known as the owner of Buffalo Trace) is officially stepping into the Tennessee whiskey category. They have debuted their first flagship expression coming out of the AJ Bond Distillery.
- These Nonalcoholic Drinks Aren’t Trying to Be Wine — and That’s the Point (Food & Wine) Writer Ray Isle explores a shifting trend in the zero-proof movement: beverage makers that aren’t trying to meticulously mimic the taste of traditional wine. Instead, companies like “Less Than 0.5%” are sourcing and selling distinct wine alternatives—unique, complex flavor profiles that sommeliers are genuinely excited to pour.
- Opening a Wine Bottle Without a Cork Opener (Sunset Magazine) A practical, lifestyle feature detailing alternative tricks and methods you can use to safely extract a cork when you find yourself without a standard corkscrew or wine opener.
Liquor Industry News 06-02-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 2, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This Flipboard link leads to a curated digital magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 06-02-26”, compiled by the profile The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), which is run by wine and spirits educator Mark Lenzi.
The magazine acts as a daily industry digest, aggregating major news stories, op-eds, and press releases impacting the global beverage market. The main stories featured in this specific collection include:
- “The Empty Chair: What Sports Betting, Cannabis, and Weight-Loss Drugs Taught Me About the Wine Business” (via Wine Industry Advisor): A piece analyzing the unexpected macroeconomic and behavioral competitors taking market share away from traditional wine. It highlights how consumer discretionary spending and lifestyle habits are shifting toward modern alternatives like legal cannabis, mobile sports gambling, and appetite-suppressing GLP-1 weight-loss medications.
- “Wine Losing the Class War” (via Wine-Searcher): An industry critique focusing on systemic diversity and socioeconomic barriers within the wine world. Citing a survey by Drinks United, the article argues that wine’s struggle to connect with younger, broader demographics is deeply tied to an ongoing “class war” and cultural gatekeeping that limits its accessibility.
- “Why Wine Investors Need to Rethink Everything They Know Before Buying Whisky” (via The Whiskey Wash): Written by spirit expert Mark Littler, this article serves as a warning and guide for fine wine collectors looking to cross over into alternative spirit investing. It breaks down why the mechanics, aging processes, market valuations, and liquidation strategies for high-end whisky are fundamentally different from traditional wine cellaring.
- “Best Canned Craft Beers Available Everywhere” (via The Manual): A commercial round-up focusing on consumer trends in the beer sector, specifically highlighting highly accessible, national-distribution canned craft beers that maintain artisanal quality while meeting the high demand for outdoor and casual summer drinking.
Liquor Industry News 06-01-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
June 1, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This particular edition of Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News (06-01-26) features 16 curated stories. Because it drops right at the start of June, the selection leans heavily into summer drink trends, seasonal recipe inspiration, and accessible wine deep-dives.
Here is a summary of the standout stories featured in this specific roundup:
☀️ Summer Cocktails & Seasonal Sips
- 11 Grapefruit Cocktails to Shake Up All Summer Long (Food & Wine): A collection showcasing the bittersweet, tart profiles of grapefruit—from standard Palomas to creative summer mixes—highlighting its origin as an 18th-century Caribbean hybrid of sweet orange and pummeled pomelo.
- What Is Lambrusco? Your Next Summer Sip (Taste of Home): A spotlight on Lambrusco, the fizzy, refreshing Italian red wine that is shedding its old 1970s reputation for cheap sweetness and emerging as a popular, chilled summer favorite.
🍳 Culinary Wine & Spirit Applications
- 12 Creative Ways to Use Wine in Your Cooking (Mashed): Expert advice and culinary techniques for utilizing wine beyond standard pan deglazing. The piece covers everything from adding finishing touches to savory mains to incorporating wine profiles into creative desserts.
📊 Industry Briefings
- Liquor Industry News (The Wonderful World of Wine): Mark Lenzi’s personal overview newsletter summarizing trade data, newly launched products, market adjustments, and how AI technology is being introduced into retail and production pipelines across the wine and spirits sector.
The rest of the 16 slots round out with similar consumer-focused guides, spirit reviews, and trade highlights designed to help professionals and hobbyists kick off their seasonal drink menus.
Liquor Industry News 06-01-26
June 1, 2026
Liquor Industry News
The Wonderful World Of Wine (WWW)
By: Mark C Lenzi
CSW, CSS, CWAS, FWS, IWS*, SWS, OWE, IWM*
06-01-2026
Liquor Industry News
New Products
AI Won’t Replace Sommeliers
What Makes a Good Scotch?
Inside Whiskey Allocations
How the ‘95/5’ Rye Mash Bill Went From MGP Signature to Craft Staple
In the early days of the 21st century’s American whiskey renaissance, as a slew of new rye brands arrived on the scene, seemingly out of nowhere, savvy drinkers learned a quick and easy way to determine who was actually distilling their “juice” and who had sourced it from somewhere else: Check to see if the mash bill was 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley.
https://vinepair.com/articles/95-5-rye-mgp-signature-to-craft-whiskey-staple
RTDs up 14% in US as spirits fall in 2025
Spirits volumes fell by 4% in the US last year, but ready-to-drink (RTD) variants soared by 14%, according to IWSR.\
New Korbel
- California sparkling wine label Korbel, owned by Gary Heck and marketed by Henkell Freixenet subsidiary Freixenet-Mionet to USA, has announced a new limited edition bottling celebrating the 250th anniversary of America. The celebratory label is available on Korbel’s Brut sparkler and features red, blue, and gold stars on a white background, with text reading “America 250 Years” at the bottom of the label. The limited release is rolling out across the U.S. and carries a suggested price of $14 a bottle. Last year, Korbel was at 1.06 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
What Makes a Good Scotch?
The Criteria Is Changing
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/spirits/scotch-age-abv
Champagne Sales More Snakes Than Ladders
Champagne has seen some tough times in recent years, but perhaps the sales decline has bottomed out.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/05/champagne-sales-more-snakes-than-ladders
Cavit Wines Returns to Original 1970s Price for 50-Year Milestone
To mark 50 years of bringing Pinot Grigio to American tables, Cavit Wines is turning back time. For one week only, from May 10 through May 17, 2026, consumers can enjoy Cavit Pinot Grigio at its original 1970s price of $6.99 through a national rebate program.
Chianti DOCG set to include rosé among other changes
The Chianti DOCG is preparing for a series of amendments to its production specifications, covering grape varieties, rosé winemaking, vineyard management, and the appellation’s organisational structure, which together represent the most substantial revision to the region’s rules in recent years.
5 Wine Pairing Rules That Actually Work With Spicy Food
Spice has creeped into our cuisine – just notice at the next party you go to and see the snacks and appetizers being served.
https://verovino.com/vero-blog/spicy-food-wine-pairing-guide
The Cork Is Still King
How Diam Bouchage Keeps Reinventing Wine’s Most Essential Tool
California Wine Lawsuit Update
The State Moves to Dismiss
Kids from the Sticks
Defending the Legacy of American Wine
Why Two Famous Actors Waited Six Years to Make Tequila
An additive-free, Valley-made debut from Dos Hombres at a price most celebrity brands will not touch.
https://www.tequilareport.com/p/why-two-famous-actors-waited-six-years-to-make-tequila
US ban an ‘act of consumer resistance’ by Canadians
Canadian wine producers are in no rush for US-made alcohol to return to Canada’s shelves, describing the “tremendous” impact the ban is having on domestic sales. Sarah Neish reports.
Portuguese liqueur producer defeats Louis Vuitton in trademark case
A Portuguese court has ruled in favour of Licores do Vale following a trademark dispute with Louis Vuitton that centered on the use of the initials “LV”.
Ian Somerhalder chats American whiskey trends
“The world is a very strange and quite divided place, but it’s our job to lift it up, to bring the sentiment up, bring the energy up,” said Ian Somerhalder. We discussed in detail key American whiskey trends with the Brother’s Bond Bourbon co-founder.
Too Many Wineries, Not Enough Consumers
Banks are telling US wineries that some of them need to get out of the pool, a new report reveals.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/05/too-many-wineries-not-enough-consumers
Miller Lite Releasing Soccer Balls That Can Hold Up to 12 Beers Ahead of 2026 World Cup
The beer brand is taking soccer fandom to the next level with the limited-edition Miller Time MVP
https://people.com/miller-lite-debuts-soccer-ball-shaped-beer-holder-for-2026-world-cup-11972672
Burgundy Without Breaking the Bank (Sort Of): My Guide to Finding Value
You might not have $812,500 to buy a bottle of wine, but you can still find good value in Burgundy
https://juliaconey.substack.com/p/burgundy-without-breaking-the-bank
US Wine Spending Hits Record Despite Falling Consumption
Rising prices lift wine value as demand weakens across US markets
How a New York Wine Importer Helped Take Down Trump’s Tariffs
Victor Owen Schwartz, owner of V.O.S. Selections, discusses sticking his “neck out” to challenge President Trump’s crippling tariffs, the mix of egos on his winning Supreme Court team and his hope for a “lifeline” from refunds.
Is US Three-Tier System Already Dead?
Whisper it, but the US system of separating the distribution of wine and spirits might be on the way out.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/05/is-us-three-tier-system-already-dead
Penelope debuts golf-inspired Bourbon series
Luxco-owned Penelope Bourbon has unveiled the first three expressions in its new 18-bottle series called Architects of Golf.
South Africa predicts high-quality 2026 wine harvest
South Africa’s wine industry has reported a technically demanding but high-quality 2026 harvest, with producers overcoming climatic extremes to deliver concentrated wines with strong premium potential. Industry bodies said the vintage demonstrates both the adaptability of vineyard teams and South Africa’s growing focus on value-driven, premium wine production for global markets.
Ancient Cypriot grape offers hope for Australia’s wine growers
An ancient white grape variety from Cyprus is reducing water use by as much as 75% for Australian growers while surviving temperatures above 45°C. Producers in South Australia’s Riverland and Barossa Valley believe Xynisteri could provide a lifeline for parts of the wine industry facing rising water costs, oversupply and climate pressure.
New Fresca
- Coca-Cola’s Red Tree Beverages has announced Fresca Hard, a new malt-based RTD extension of the existing Fresca Mixed spirits-based RTD. The new drinks come in four flavors—Original Grapefruit Citrus, Watermelon Citrus, Pineapple Citrus, and Peach Citrus—all at 4.6% abv and 99 calories per can and available in a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans ($18). The new line is rolling out now across the U.S. Last year, the Fresca Mixed portfolio, produced by Sazerac and Red Tree Beverages, was at 426,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
Australia shocked as government slashes wine tourism budget
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reneged on his promise to support the struggling wine tourism sector, announcing this week that he will phase out the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door grant package, effectively wiping AU$10 million from the program.
Inside Whiskey Allocations
Why Only Some Stores Get Pappy, Buffalo Trace, and Other Prized Bottles
https://vinepair.com/articles/inside-whiskey-allocation-system
7 Things You Should Know About Voodoo Ranger
New Belgium’s Wildly Successful IPA Brand
https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-voodoo-ranger
Green River finishes Bourbon in honey barrels
Lofted Spirits-owned Green River Distilling has released a Kentucky straight Bourbon finished in barrels with 100% locally sourced honey
Why Brix Matters in Tequila, and Why it’s Also Overrated
A practical guide to the number producers care about, and what it actually tells a drinker.
https://www.tequilareport.com/p/why-brix-matters-in-tequila-and-why-it-s-also-overrated
Pabst Puts Schlitz on Ice
Places Brand ‘on Hiatus’ and Stops Production
Diners ditching bottles of wine for the table as healthy living and rising costs reshape restaurant habits
Non-alcoholic cocktails are commanding same $16 price point as craft cocktails at many restaurants
Supermarkets Roll Out AI Somm
The AI Panzer rolls relentlessly on, while there is also a ray of hope for US winemakers.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/05/supermarkets-roll-out-ai-somm
New Seagrams 7
- Diageo is launching a new flavored offshoot for Seagram’s 7 Crown, Apple Pie. The new flavored blended whiskey is at 35% abv, carries a suggested price of $12 a bottle, and will be available nationwide for a limited time beginning in June. According to the company, the new release combines Seagram’s 7 Crown’s blended whiskey with baked apple, vanilla, and spiced flavors, and is recommended to make variant on the 7 & 7 serve. Seagram’s 7 Crown Apple Pie joins the original Seagram’s 7 Crown, Dark Honey, and Apple in the brand’s portfolio.
Which US states are the most ‘cocktail-obsessed’?
The states considered the ‘most cocktail-obsessed’ in the US have been revealed, with the northeast region dominating the top 10.
Abstract Ice brings customizable craft ice to on-trade
California-based Abstract Ice is expanding its US footprint to bring its patented ice-making technology to the wider hospitality industry
The Year Every State Got Its First Craft Brewery
Today, beer geeks flock to their local craft brewery to sit at picnic tables and sip small-batch brews — a culture that stems from the Great American Craft Beer Boom that gained traction in the 1960s and ’70s. However, the existence of craft breweries predates that sudden rise by over a century.
https://vinepair.com/articles/first-craft-brewery-in-every-state-map
New Evan Williams
- Heaven Hill is debuting a trio of limited edition Evan Williams bottlings to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The whiskies—all “officially licensed America250 commemorative products”—come with new blue labels with red accents and prominently showcase “America 250” and the Statue of Liberty. The first release is a 1.75-liter bottling of Evan Williams flagship Black Label Bourbon ($25). The second is a commemorative bottling of Evan Williams 1783 ($40 a 1.75L and $24 a 750-ml.). The final whiskey is a higher-proof single barrel bottling, sourced from 250 barrels ($40 a 750-ml.). Heaven Hill has also formed a partnership with the Folds of Honor non-profit to donate $75,000 in scholarships for families of deceased and wounded service members and first responders. Last year, Evan Williams, including flavors, was at roughly 2.9 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
Change of guard: Four Roses Bourbon
Gallo has completed the acquisition of Four Roses Bourbon, marking the brand’s return to US family ownership for the first time in 83 years.
Tennessee Wine Industry Hits New Milestone with American Viticultural Area Approval
Tennessee is now home to four American Viticultural Areas (AVA), further establishing the state as an emerging leader in the Southeast’s wine industry.
Virginia winemakers lose up to 90% of vines to deep freeze
The biting frost that struck Virginia in late April “will go down in the record books”, the Virginia Wine Board told db, but reassured “there is still hope for the vintage”. Sarah Neish reports.
AI Won’t Replace Sommeliers
But It Could Help Save
https://vinepair.com/articles/can-artificial-intelligence-save-wine
Why Screw Caps May Actually Be Better For Wine, According To Experts
Forget what you think you know about screw caps.
https://www.delish.com/food/a71178622/screw-cap-wine-vs-cork
We Asked 13 Pitmasters
What’s the Best Beer to Bring to a BBQ?
https://vinepair.com/articles/wa-best-beers-for-summer-bbq-2026
New Whiskey
Vermont-based WhistlePig Whiskey is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States with two new limited edition offerings: Rye, White & Blue PiggyBank; and Declaration Wheat Whiskey. The new PiggyBank release is a 10-year-old Straight Rye whiskey bottled at 55% abv and packaged in a pig-shaped decanter with a red, white, and blue label. The second release, Declaration Wheat Whiskey, is bottled at 43% abv and made from a “high wheat” mash bill that is double-aged in American oak before bottling. The new releases are launching in limited quantities across the U.S. as well as through WhistlePig’s website, where the PiggyBank release sells for $230 a liter and the wheat whiskey goes for $74 a 750-ml.
Buffalo Trace Is Bringing Back 2 E.H. Taylor Bourbons Whiskey Fans Haven’t Seen in Years
Both bottled-in-bond whiskeys were aged for 10 years and will retail for $80 when they arrive later this year.
https://www.foodandwine.com/buffalo-trace-eh-taylor-four-grain-and-eh-taylor-cured-oak-2026-11980110
Plain talk about how the wine industry is (actually) doing very well
Or, the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain
https://caparoso.substack.com/p/plain-talk-about-how-the-wine-industry
The Perils and Pleasures of Pairing
A group of sommeliers from around the United States, Canada and Mexico spent last week in Sonoma County tasting wines, touring vineyards, and competing in a time-honored contest of skill and creativity – food and wine pairing.
Europe’s oldest vineyards threatened by solar power
Home to Spain’s oldest Tempranillo plantings, D.O. Toro’s ancient vineyards are under threat – not from climate change, but subsidies that encourage the installation of solar panels on farmland.
Trump in trademark war with California winery
A Republican producer based in Monterey is embroiled in a dispute with Trump-affiliated companies over the name of one of its wines as the US President moves to protect his ‘brand’
The U.S. Is One Step Closer to Legalizing Home Distilling.
Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
https://vinepair.com/articles/home-distilling-tips-to-know
New Sugarlands
New Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s Sugarlands Distillery has released Eggo Blueberry Waffle Moonshine, the latest collaboration between the distillery and the staple breakfast brand. The 30% abv moonshine is now available at Sugarlands’ distillery with a national rollout underway. The new entry follows 2022’s EggoNog and 2024’s Eggo Brunch in a Jar Waffles & Syrup Sippin’ Cream, and is the first Eggo-flavored moonshine created by the two brands. While Sugarlands is primarily known for their moonshine-based drinks, the company has diversified lately, announcing a strategic partnership with Tequila-maker Azul Imports in March, as well as expanding Broken Antler Flavored Whiskey to national distribution in late 2025.
Hennessy’s New Pre-Mixed Cocktails Are Quietly Landing on Liquor Store Shelves
Liquor stores have begun receiving shipments of three pre-mixed Hennessy cocktails that combine the fan-favorite cognac with a variety of summery flavors.
Inside the chemistry of the Paloma
Why do tequila and grapefruit work so well together? db takes a closer look at the chemistry, flavour compounds and production choices that make the iconic Paloma work so well.
Why mezcal could be the spirit for wine lovers
Could mezcal be the next spirit for wine lovers? Andrew Maidment, former marketing director of Wines of Argentina UK and co-founder of Zacal Mezcal, tells the db why agave has more in common with fine wine than many might think.
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Liquor Industry News 05-31-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
May 31, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
The link provided goes to a specific edition of a daily digital magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 05-31-26” on Flipboard.
Here is what that link is about:
- The Curator: It is curated by Mark Lenzi, a highly certified wine and spirits professional (holding credentials like CSW, CSS, and FWS) who is the owner of Franklin Liquors in Massachusetts and co-host of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) podcast.
- The Content: This specific May 31, 2026 edition serves as a curated digital news digest. It aggregates a collection of the day’s most important stories, articles, and columns sourced from across the web for beverage industry professionals and enthusiasts.
Liquor Industry News 05-30-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
May 30, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This link leads to a curated Flipboard magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEW 05-30-26”, put together by the user Mark Lenzi under the profile The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW).
The magazine serves as a collection of 14 industry-related stories and articles from across the web. Some of the featured pieces in the collection include:
- “The 8 Best Naturally Low-Alcohol White Wines, According to Experts” (from SevenFifty Daily): An article looking at the intersection of rising temperatures, mindful drinking, and evolving consumer habits toward lower-ABV wines.
- “An Interview with an Average Wine Buyer” (from Substack / Joel Stein): A look into consumer behavior through a casual interview detailing how everyday buyers actually make their wine selections.
- “Craft Breweries Are Betting Big on the 2026 World Cup” (from VinePair): A feature exploring how craft breweries are preparing marketing and distribution pushes for the 2026 World Cup matches.
- “Exploring Piedmont’s Wine Regions and Historic Landmarks” (from The Chosun Daily): A travel-focused feature covering the historic landmarks and wine production of Italy’s famous Piedmont region.
In short, it is a curated hub for news, consumer trends, and business developments across the wine, beer, and liquor landscapes.
Liquor Industry News 05-29-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
May 29, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
This link leads to a curated Flipboard magazine or article collection titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 05-29-26”, created by user Mark Lenzi under the profile “The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)”.
The collection compiles 16 stories focused on industry trends, guides, and updates from around the alcohol and beverage sector. Highlights from the shared stories include:
- How to Drink Good Tequila: A 6-Step Guide: An educational piece originally from tequilareport.com that digs into moving past standard tequila shots to properly tasting and appreciating the spirit.
- Bourbon’s Global Soft Power Is Fading as Trump Tariffs Reshape the Industry: An analysis from VinePairdetailing the global challenges facing Bourbon, citing domestic oversupply, falling consumption, and the compounding impacts of international tariffs.
- POUR THE WHY, NOT JUST THE WHAT: Tasting Flights that Fly: A piece via craftspiritsmag.com focusing on the consumer experience in tasting rooms, arguing that brand experiences are more impactful when they focus on the storytelling behind the spirits rather than just standard flight pours.
- The 20 Best Mezcals for 2026: Another VinePair feature highlighting top recommendations for mezcal enthusiasts.
Essentially, it acts as a quick, centralized news digest for professionals and enthusiasts interested in wine, spirits, and the economic landscape of the liquor industry.
Liquor Industry News 05-28-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
May 28, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
The specific link provides a daily curated digital magazine briefing on Flipboard for today, May 28, 2026.
Compiled by Mark Lenzi—a highly certified wine/spirits educator and owner of Franklin Liquors in Massachusetts—this link acts as a professional “snapshot” of the global beverage alcohol industry.
The link aggregates 10 to 20 trending stories, expert reviews, and market insights from primary trade and culinary outlets (such as The Drinks Business, VinePair, The Spirits Business, Food & Wine, and Mashed).
While the individual articles cycle in real time on Flipboard to reflect the exact news breaking on this specific day, these daily briefings consistently synthesize the following core themes:
- Market Dynamics & Business Shifts: Real-time updates on global supply chains, economic pressures facing vineyards and craft breweries, and inventory tracking (such as fluctuations in bourbon demand or the impact of inflation on high-end vs. value-tier brands).
- Consumer Trends: Tracking the ongoing mainstream expansion of non-alcoholic (No-and-Low) wine, beer, and ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails.
- Production & Agtech: Articles exploring how wineries and distilleries are navigating climate weather challenges and adopting sustainable packaging or predictive AI tools.
- Consumer Advice & Trivia: Lighter, educational deep dives covering wine/food pairings, distillery secrets (such as the origins behind store-brand spirits like Costco’s Kirkland Signature), and closure debates (e.g., screw caps vs. corks).
Ultimately, the link serves as a one-stop digital dashboard designed for sommeliers, beverage retailers, and passionate consumers to efficiently catch up on the day’s global alcohol industry headlines.
Liquor Industry News 05-27-26 The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
May 27, 2026Exploring all things wine with you!
The link provided points to a specific, daily digital magazine on Flipboard titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 05-27-26”.
Here is what this link is about:
- The Curator: It is compiled by Mark Lenzi, a highly certified wine and spirits professional (holding titles including CSW, CSS, and CWAS), the owner of Franklin Liquors in Massachusetts, and the co-host of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) podcast.
- The Content: This specific link serves as a daily industry dashboard and news aggregator. Lenzi updates this magazine every single day to track global and domestic beverage trade developments.
- What it aggregates: It brings together roughly 12 to 18 trending news stories, market features, and insights from top-tier beverage and food publications (such as The Drinks Business, VinePair, The Spirits Business, Mashed, and Food & Wine). The articles generally focus on:
- Spirits & Beer: Investigative pieces into popular brands, upcoming whiskey/bourbon releases, and brewery trends.
- Wine Industry Insights: Global harvest reports, innovations in grape-growing, shifting consumer trends, and debunked wine myths (e.g., discussions on closures or screw caps).
- Retail & Regulations: Updates on legal or distribution shifts in the alcohol market, as well as consumer habits and economic factors affecting liquor sales.
Essentially, it functions as a curated daily “cheat sheet” for industry professionals, sommeliers, and beverage enthusiasts looking to stay on top of the day’s alcohol news without sorting through multiple publications.
