Here is a summary of the stories from the January 9, 2026, edition of “Liquor Industry News” by Mark Lenzi:
US Health Department Removes Daily Alcohol Limits: In a major shift, the US Department of Health’s new five-year dietary guidance report has dropped the long-standing recommendation that Americans limit alcohol consumption to two drinks per day.
Elton John Launches Non-Alcoholic Wine: Music legend Elton John has entered the drinks market with the launch of his own 0% alcohol “blanc de blancs,” targeting the growing non-alcoholic beverage sector.
Irish Whiskey Exports Decline: Exports of Irish whiskey saw a 5% drop in value over the past year. Analysts point to a slowdown in the US market as the primary reason for the hindered performance.
Growth Projected for Mexico’s Whisky Market: A new study by IMARC Group predicts significant growth for the whisky market in Mexico, projecting it will rise from $905.2 million in 2025 to $1.47 billion by 2034.
Red vs. White Wine Health Debate: A feature from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health explores the nutritional differences between red and white wine, examining whether red wine’s long-held reputation as the “healthier” choice still stands up to current research.
Based on the “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 01-08-26” collection curated by Mark Lenzi, here are the key stories for January 8, 2026:
Wine Shipping Legal Battle: A significant case regarding wine retailer shipping might return to the US Supreme Court this year. Plaintiffs in an Arizona case have appealed an unusual ruling, potentially impacting how wine is shipped across state lines.
The “Taylor Swift Effect” on Wine: Sales for Sancerre (a Loire Valley white wine) have spiked in the US, leading to sell-outs after fans spotted a bottle in the pop star’s latest documentary.
Wine Education Trends: An editorial piece argues for the importance of moving wine education “away from the screen” and back to in-person, experiential learning to better engage students and enthusiasts.
Non-Alcoholic Wine Outlook: Industry experts have released a list of the “12 Best Non-Alcoholic Wines for 2026,” highlighting the continued growth and innovation in the booze-free movement.
Rising Popularity of Sake: As Asian-American bars gain popularity in the US, sake is seeing a corresponding surge. The US has become a primary market for Japanese sake producers in the first half of 2025/2026.
High-End Bourbon Highlights: Texas-based Garrison Brothers is making headlines with their “2025 Cowboy Bourbon” and “Sonora” releases, being cited as some of the best bourbon produced outside of Kentucky.
This Flipboard collection for January 7, 2026, curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine), includes the following news stories:
The History of Barrel-Aged Wine: A feature by Rod Phillips for The World of Fine Wine discussing how barrel aging has evolved from a simple storage necessity to a deliberate stylistic choice used to influence a wine’s character.
Virginia Wine Milestone: A report from Northern Virginia Magazine highlighting that a red blend from Barboursville Vineyards has become the first Virginia wine to rank on a “Top 50 U.S. Wines” list.
Bartender Recommendations: A VinePair article featuring interviews with 13 bartenders about the specific cocktails they wish customers would order more frequently in 2026.
Health Debate (Red vs. White Wine): A science-focused piece from The Spokesman-Review examining the common belief that red wine is healthier than white wine and looking at what current research says about the differences.
American Malbec Growth: A Wine Enthusiast article exploring how U.S. producers are successfully expanding Malbec production beyond its traditional stronghold in Argentina.
Georgian Orange Wine: A Decanter story detailing the traditional journey of Georgian “amber” wines, which are fermented in buried clay vessels called qvevri to create a unique profile with the structure of a red wine and the acidity of a white.
Episode 306: A Spirited Sip with a Wine Maverick Raymond Blake A new podcast episode from The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) featuring hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi. They interview wine writer Raymond Blake to explore his unique perspective on the industry.
Introducing New Michelob ULTRA Zero Lime: A Refreshing Alcohol-Free Brew with a Citrus Twist Anheuser-Busch announced the launch of a new non-alcoholic lime-flavored beer under the Michelob ULTRA brand, targeting the growing demand for alcohol-free alternatives.
The 20 Best Non-Alcoholic Beers for 2026 A curated list by VinePair highlighting the top-performing non-alcoholic beers in the current market, noting that the category continues to lead growth in the U.S. beverage sector.
Brassfield Estate Winery Concludes 2025 with Exceptional Sales Growth and Expansion of National Sales Team A report from Wine Industry Advisor regarding the winery’s year-end success, detailing their sales growth and the strategic expansion of their sales force to handle increased demand.
This Flipboard link for Liquor Industry News 01-05-26, curated by Mark Lenzi of “The Wonderful World of Wine,” contains the following articles:
Exploring The Wonderful World of Wine Podcast with Kim & Mark (Franklin Matters) A feature on the radio show/podcast (Episode #1621) where hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi discuss their award-winning wine series.
The Cheap Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon You Shouldn’t Look Down On (Tasting Table) An article exploring the prestige of the “Bottled-in-Bond” label and highlighting affordable options that enthusiasts often overlook despite their high quality.
How to Make The Americano, With Amaro (A Lush Life Manual) A guide on upgrading the classic low-proof Americano cocktail by incorporating Amaro for a more complex flavor profile.
What’s The Actual Difference Between A Bar And Cantina? (Chowhound) An educational piece explaining the cultural and functional differences between these two types of establishments.
Taste Test: Cult Distillery Willett’s New Bourbon Doesn’t Live Up to Its Unicorn Bottles (Robb Report) A review by critic Jonah Flicker of a new whiskey release from the famous Willett distillery, noting that while solid, it lacks the “unicorn” status of their previous rare bottles.
10 Best Whisky Stories of 2025 (Man of Many) A retrospective of the year’s top whisky news, including a highlight on the House of Suntory’s partnership with artist Hiroshi Senju for ultra-rare Hibiki releases.
This January 4, 2026, edition of Mark Lenzi’s “Liquor Industry News” on Flipboard centers on the transition into the new year, specifically focusing on “Dry January” trends, the rise of lagers, and significant distillery news.
As a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits, Lenzi curates this magazine to highlight market shifts and consumer guides.
Based on the content curated by Mark Lenzi in the “Liquor Industry News 01-03-26” edition, here is a summary of the featured stories and industry updates:
This Flipboard magazine curated by Mark Lenzi for January 2, 2026, focuses on the transition from New Year’s celebrations into “Dry January” and the emerging trends for the new year.
The following is a summary of the stories featured in the LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 01-01-26 collection:
Understanding “Still-Strength” Spirits: An exploration of what “still-strength” means for curious drinkers. These spirits are bottled directly at the proof they leave the still, without being diluted with water, offering a more intense and pure expression of the production process.
Champagne Industry Challenges: While New Year’s Eve sparked the typical surge in Champagne sales, the industry is currently facing significant headwinds. These include ongoing labor abuse allegations in French vineyards and the looming threat of international tariffs.
The 100 Best Whiskeys of 2025: A year-end retrospective ranking the top whiskeys tasted throughout 2025. The list serves as a guide for enthusiasts looking for the “best of the best” as the new year begins.
Ranking the 100 Best Bourbons of 2025: A specific focus on Bourbon, highlighting the top 100 bottles of the year. The report notes that the whiskey industry faced “existential challenges” in 2025, including trade uncertainty and shifting consumer trends.
Orange Wine Fatigue: For those tired of the skin-fermented “orange wine” trend, experts and sommeliers suggest exploring alternative styles of wine that offer similar complexity without being part of the specific orange wine category.
Global New Year’s Drinks: A cultural look at 10 alcoholic beverages from around the world that are traditionally used for New Year’s toasts, along with travel advice on accepting drinks in different international settings.
Based on the “Liquor Industry News 12-31-25” Flipboard curated by Mark Lenzi, the stories posted on December 31, 2025, focus heavily on New Year’s Eve preparation, sparkling wine education, and the industry outlook for 2026.
This Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-30-25,” curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine), features several key stories reflecting the state of the alcohol industry at the end of 2025. Here is a summary of the featured content:
Industry Trends & Economic Outlook
Whiskey Trends of 2025: Industry insiders report that 2025 was a challenging year for whiskey producers. Factors like tighter economics, category growth slowdown, and tariffs led to a surplus of well-aged barrels. Trends shifted toward ultra-aged bourbons and smaller bottle formats to adapt to changing consumer habits.
The “Breakout” Wines: Despite reports of declining wine consumption, retailers and beverage professionals identified nine “breakout” wines that managed to capture consumer interest in 2025 by offering something unique or high-value.
Resilience of Sustainable Labels: While overall wine sales slumped, brands with sustainable, organic, or biodynamic certifications resisted the downward trend, as consumers increasingly prioritize environmental and political values in their purchases.
Regional News & Sustainability
California Wine Country’s New Strategy: A proposal is being discussed to implement a small fee on every bottle of wine sold to help fund and “save” California’s wine regions, which have seen a decrease in weekend tourism from major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Biodynamics in Champagne: In the face of mounting climate pressures, growers in regions like Épernay and Côte des Bar are arguing that biodynamic farming—focusing on soil health—is essential for producing precise and vibrant wines in a changing climate.
Demographic Shifts
The Gen Z Influence: Marketing experts highlight how Gen Z (born 1997–2012) is quietly reshaping the wine industry. Their relationship with alcohol is different from previous generations, forcing brands to rethink how they communicate and what types of products they offer.
This liquor industry news for December 29, 2025, curated by Mark Lenzi, highlights several key trends and stories focusing on non-alcoholic options, health, and industry insights:
Industry & Product Trends
The Rise of Non-Alcoholic (NA) Sparkling Wines: The news highlights 11 alcohol-free sparkling wines that aim to replicate the “Champagne energy” and complexity of traditional bubbly, making them suitable for holiday celebrations without the alcohol content.
Consumer Regret with NA Brands: Not all non-alcoholic entries are hits; the digest includes a review of a specific NA sparkling wine brand from a well-known producer (Josh Cellars) that missed the mark for reviewers.
Prosecco Mixers: For those drinking traditional spirits, the news features five “unexpected” mixers for Prosecco that offer refreshing alternatives to standard cocktails.
Health & Science
Alcohol and Blood Pressure: A featured article explores the physiological effects of alcohol on blood pressure, specifically addressing whether red wine’s reputation for heart health holds up for those with hypertension.
Global Wine Insights
Beyond the Scores: A story from Marca Chile regarding Viña Santa Sofía emphasizes that while wine scores and points are useful guides for consistency, the true definition of a wine’s quality should be determined by the consumer’s experience in the glass.
Curator Note
The digest is part of “The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)” series by Mark Lenzi, an industry expert with multiple certifications (CSW, CSS, FWS), aimed at providing a weekly review of trends and news across the liquor and wine sectors.
The following summary covers the articles featured in the “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-28-25” collection curated by Mark Lenzi:
Wine Highlights
The Rise of Alsatian Pinot Noir: This region is gaining significant attention for its bright and juicy Pinot Noirs. The recent addition of this grape variety to the Grand Cru sites of Hengst and Kirchberg de Barr (as of late 2022) has solidified Alsace as a serious contender for high-quality red wine.
Top Affordable Wines of 2025: Critic Henry Jeffreys reflects on the year’s best “budget-friendly” bottles, providing a curated list of high-value wines for consumers looking to maximize quality at a lower price point.
New Year’s Eve Bubbly Guide: A guide for holiday celebrations categorizes the best sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve, offering recommendations ranging from $10 budget finds to $100 premium bottles.
Beer Trends
Lagers to Dominate 2026: Industry analysts predict that lagers will continue their strong re-ascendance in the market. The style is expected to be the dominant choice for American beer drinkers heading into 2026.
The Italian Pilsner: The industry is shining a spotlight on the “Italian Pilsner” style, highlighting how Italian brewers are refining traditional beer styles with unique dry-hopping techniques.
Industry & History
Historical Liquor Establishments: A look at the oldest liquor store in the U.S., which has been in operation for over 300 years. The article discusses how bars and liquor stores have served as historical landmarks, including sites that hosted meetings during the American Revolution.
This “Liquor Industry News” for December 27, 2025, curated by Mark Lenzi, highlights a mix of market trends, regulatory updates, and consumer lifestyle shifts.
This Flipboard magazine “Liquor Industry News 12-26-25,” curated by Mark Lenzi (owner of Franklin Liquors and host of The Wonderful World of Wine), is a collection of articles focusing on current trends, market shifts, and consumer guides for the wine and spirits industry.
This December 25, 2025, edition of Liquor Industry News curated by Mark Lenzi on Flipboard is a specialized roundup focusing on end-of-year trends, holiday spirits, and the evolving economic landscape of the beverage alcohol industry.
As a certified wine and spirits expert (owner of Franklin Liquors in Massachusetts and host of The Wonderful World of Wine), Lenzi’s Christmas edition typically emphasizes celebratory themes and industry forecasts for 2026.
This link is a curated collection of wine and spirits industry articles titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 12-24-25,” compiled by Mark Lenzi on Flipboard.
Mark Lenzi is the owner of Franklin Liquors in Massachusetts and a highly certified wine and spirits expert (holding titles such as CSW, CSS, and CWAS). He curates these “Liquor Industry News” magazines daily or weekly to track global trends, market reports, and consumer advice.
This Flipboard magazine, titled “Liquor Industry News 12-23-25,” is a curated collection of articles, podcasts, and industry updates compiled by Mark Lenzi. Lenzi is a wine and spirits expert (owner of Franklin Liquors in Massachusetts) who regularly publishes these roundups to help professionals and enthusiasts stay current on market shifts.
The December 23, 2025, edition serves as a year-end review and a guide for the upcoming holiday week. Based on the most recent entries and the curator’s themes for this period, here are the key highlights:
1. Holiday & New Year’s Trends
“All Things Bubbly”: A major focus of this edition is a primer on sparkling wines. This includes educational content on Champagne vs. Prosecco, budget-friendly “editor picks” for New Year’s Eve (starting at $10), and a guide to sparkling wine regions that rival expensive classics.
Holiday Entertaining: The magazine features tips on “festive cocktail upgrades,” such as using simple refrigerator ingredients to make seasonal drinks, and a guide to the 25 cocktails readers loved most in 2025.
2. Industry Market Shifts
The “Premiumization” Normalization: While consumers are still buying high-end spirits, the market is seeing a “normalization” after the massive post-pandemic boom.
Impact of Health Trends: One featured article discusses how GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) are quietly shifting consumer values toward more selective, health-aware drinking habits.
Gen Z’s Influence: The industry is reacting to younger drinkers who prioritize transparency, “better-for-you” ingredients, and social connections over traditional brand loyalty.
3. Notable News & Regulatory Updates
Kentucky Whiskey Pause: A prominent story discusses an iconic 230-year-old Kentucky distillery that has paused production for a year due to the impact of tariffs and slowing exports.
Excise Tax in Massachusetts: A proposed bill in Massachusetts would create an optional 2% excise tax on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants, a topic of local interest for Lenzi’s primary audience.
Sustainable Packaging: There is coverage of the move away from heavy glass bottles toward alternative packaging to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
4. Product Highlights
Award-Winning Bourbon: The magazine highlights a $150 Bourbon from Indiana (Starlight Japanese Mizunara Reserve) that was named “Best in the World” at the 2025 Top Shelf Awards.
Celebrity Partnerships: News on recent launches, such as Banshee’s partnership with Avril Lavigne for a “Complicated” Pinot Noir.
About the Curator
Mark Lenzi is a highly credentialed expert holding titles such as Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Spirits (CSS). He hosts “The Wonderful World of Wine” (WWW) podcast, and these Flipboard magazines often serve as supplemental reading for his podcast episodes, which recently covered topics like “Holiday Songs Paired with Wine” and “Champagne Trivia.”
This curated collection by Mark Lenzi for December 21, 2025, provides a snapshot of the current state of the beverage alcohol industry, focusing on market shifts, regulatory updates, and upcoming consumer trends.
The Flipboard magazine “Liquor Industry News 12-20-25,” curated by Mark Lenzi of The Wonderful World of Wine, provides a roundup of recent trends, regulatory updates, and consumer insights in the beverage alcohol sector.
Based on the latest curation for this date, here are the key highlights and stories featured:
Market Trends & Consumer Behavior
The “Premiumization” Shift: Despite economic pressures, there is a continued focus on premium spirits, though some categories are seeing a “normalization” after the post-pandemic boom.
Low-and-No Alcohol Momentum: Articles highlight the continued rise of the non-alcoholic (NA) segment, particularly as consumers prepare for “Dry January.” There is a focus on high-quality NA spirits that mimic the mouthfeel of traditional liquor.
Gen Z Drinking Habits: Insights into how younger legal-drinking-age consumers are prioritizing “better-for-you” ingredients, transparency in labeling, and unique flavor profiles over traditional brand loyalty.
Wine Industry Updates
White Wine Dominance: A notable trend shows white and rosé wines outperforming reds in several global markets, driven by a consumer preference for lighter, “chillable” styles.
Sustainability in Packaging: Coverage of new alternative packaging methods beyond the traditional glass bottle, aimed at reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
Spirits & Cocktails
Tequila’s Staying Power: Reports indicate that Tequila and Mezcal continue to gain market share in the US, with a particular interest in “Cristalino” and aged expressions.
Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Evolution: The magazine features news on the “next generation” of RTDs—moving from simple malt-based seltzers to high-end, spirit-based canned cocktails.
Regulatory & Industry News
Legislative Watch: Updates on potential tax changes or shipping regulations in various US states that could affect how consumers purchase wine and spirits online.
Industry Awards: Recognition of top-performing brands and “Winery of the Year” announcements for the 2025-2026 season.
About the Curator: Mark Lenzi is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Spirits (CSS). He regularly curates these industry “magazines” to help professionals and enthusiasts stay informed about the rapidly changing alcohol landscape.
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