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.
Here is a summary of the featured stories in Mark Lenzi’s Liquor Industry News (07-26-26) collection:
1. Wine Orders as Age Indicators (Delish)
The Takeaway: Wine choices often reflect generational trends. For example, rosé dominated millennial culture in the mid-2010s through the “rosé all day” movement, while younger consumers and modern wine drinkers lean toward crispy whites like Sauvignon Blanc or natural wines.
2. New & Returning Fall Brews from Samuel Adams (Allrecipes)
The Takeaway: As seasonal transitions approach, Samuel Adams is introducing a new variation of one of its best-selling beers alongside the return of three fan-favorite seasonal brews for the fall lineup.
3. Turin’s Aperitivo Evolution (Food & Wine)
The Takeaway: Moving beyond classic spritz stops in tourist-heavy hubs like Rome or Venice, Turin (Piedmont) is emerging as one of Italy’s most exciting drink destinations with a rising scene centered on natural wine, inventive cocktails, and apericena (aperitivo paired with substantial snack dinners).
4. Volcanic Sparkling Wines of Veneto (Great Italian Food Trade)
The Takeaway: A spotlight on Lessini Durello and Monti Lessini DOP—volcanic sparkling wines produced in northeastern Italy’s Veneto region, known for high acidity and mineral profiles shaped by volcanic soils.
This Flipboard magazine curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine) features several key wine and spirits industry stories:
Featured Stories
8 Affordable Sparkling Wines That Are Just As Good As Champagne (Delish) Highlights sommelier-recommended budget sparkling wines (like Cava, Crémant, and Prosecco) that offer high quality and effervescence without the premium Champagne price tag.
Super Mario’s Namesake Planted Grapes Behind Washington’s Top Scoring White Wine (MyNorthwest) Focuses on the unique history behind Washington state’s top-rated white wine from the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, tracing its vineyard roots to Mario Segale (the real-life namesake of Nintendo’s Mario).
10 Reasons Why Moldovan Wine Should Be On Your Radar (The Drinks Business) Explores the rising global profile of Moldova’s wine industry, highlighting its indigenous grape varieties, subterranean cellars, and modern winemaking evolution.
Why Electrolytes Have Become Wine’s Newest Additive (The Drinks Business) Examines a new trend in wellness-oriented alcoholic beverages, where brands are experimenting with adding electrolytes to wine targeting health-conscious consumers.
This link leads to a curated daily digital magazine titled “Liquor Industry News (07-24-26)” on Flipboard, created by Mark Lenzi.
Overview
Curator: Mark Lenzi — Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) & Spirits (CSS), owner of Franklin Liquors in Massachusetts, and co-host of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) podcast and blog.
Content: Every day, Mark compiles an updated digest collecting the latest articles, market trends, beverage reviews, legislative changes, and educational pieces across the wine, beer, and spirits industries.
Format: The Flipboard magazine aggregates articles from various industry outlets (like VinePair, Tasting Table, Food & Wine, and Wine Business) into a single swipeable magazine format.
Here is a concise summary of the key stories featured in the Liquor Industry News (07-23-26) collection on Flipboard:
Food Pairings for Alcohol-Free Wines: Tips and techniques on how to pair alcohol-free wine alternatives with meals just as you would traditional wines.
Bardstown’s Pineapple Finish Whiskey: Bardstown Bourbon Company released a Kentucky-exclusive expression finished in pineapple rum casks.
Moonshine University Closing: Flavorman announced plans to close Kentucky’s Moonshine University and its educational programs after 14 years in operation.
New Wine Industry Book: A newly published book challenges conventional business models and traditional thinking within the wine industry.
Here is a summary of the featured stories in the Liquor Industry News (07-20-26) collection curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine):
Episode 320: Unveiling Perfection: Napa’s New Icon with Jayson Hu (SoundCloud)
Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore a new iconic Napa Valley wine release in conversation with guest Jayson Hu.
Is Sauvignon Blanc Dry Or Sweet? What Wine Newbies Should Know (Tasting Table)
A beginner’s guide clarifying that Sauvignon Blanc is best characterized by its crisp, bright acidity rather than simple sweet or dry labels.
Why Sauvignon Blanc Fans Swear By Mixing In This Spicy Ingredient (Tasting Table)
Highlights the growing viral trend of infusing Sauvignon Blanc with hot peppers (like jalapeños) to complement its naturally green, citrusy profile with a spicy kick.
Europe’s Regional Beer Styles, Mapped (VinePair)
A visual breakdown mapping out traditional and regional beer styles across different countries and regions in Europe.
Here is a brief summary of the featured stories from the “Liquor Industry News” collection:
Canadian Cider Global Push: The non-profit association Cider Canada has secured federal government support aimed at expanding its footprint and boosting exports into international markets.
Massive Restaurant Wine Markups: Wine pricing at US restaurants has reached a new pain point for consumers, with reports showing some venues are marking up bottles to as much as six times their wholesale cost.
Fireball’s Novelty Sneakers: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky has launched a marketing campaign featuring limited-edition high-top sneakers designed with a custom-built, secret compartment to carry a whiskey pouch.
Laser Tech vs. Counterfeit Alcohol: New laser technology is being highlighted as a potential weapon against illegal and dangerous counterfeit alcohol by allowing quick authentication of spirits.
The Flipboard curation of “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 07-17-26” by Mark Lenzi covers some fascinating developments across the beverage world, ranging from innovative product launches to the science of tasting.
Here is a summary of the featured stories:
1. Trinchero Family Wine and Spirits Launches “Sauvy B”
The Scoop: Trinchero (the third-largest wine supplier in the U.S.) has partnered with famed winemaker Joel Gott to release a new ready-to-drink (RTD) wine spritzer called Sauvy B.
What makes it unique: It targets “better-for-you” trends and younger consumers by introducing added electrolytes sourced from pink Himalayan salt.
The details: The drink is packaged in 12-ounce cans, comes in at a sessionable 4.5% ABV (roughly 100 calories), and is made from 90% sparkling water, 9% California Sauvignon Blanc, and natural citrus flavorings (available in Lime and Grapefruit).
2. WhistlePig Whiskey Joins the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA)
The Scoop: The Vermont-based, LVMH-backed rye whiskey specialist WhistlePig has officially been welcomed as the newest member of the KDA.
Context: This move aligns with WhistlePig’s growing physical footprint in Kentucky, including the opening of their “WhistlePig PiggyBank” tasting room and retail space in Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood.
3. What the Wine World Teaches Us About Taste and Smell (via BrainFacts)
The Scoop: Drawing from lectures at the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting, this piece explores the incredibly complex neurological processing that happens when we taste wine.
Key takeaways:
The Brain on Wine: Wine tasting is an active, multi-sensory workout. It involves vision (assessing color/legs), smell, taste, and the trigeminal nerve, which processes temperature and mouthfeel. All of this is integrated in the orbitofrontal cortex.
Expectation vs. Reality: Preconceived notions heavily dictate taste. Studies showed that dyeing a white wine red fooled tasters into describing red wine characteristics, and tasting wine in front of flowers led to more positive descriptions.
The “Verbal Overshadowing” Trap: As intermediate tasters focus intensely on trying to find the perfect words to describe a wine, they can actually disconnect from the simple, holistic pleasure of drinking it.
4. The Complete Ultimate List of Craft Tequila Brands (via The Tequila Report)
The Scoop: Written by Jay Baer, this industry-wide deep dive looks to expand the conversation beyond just “additive-free” tequila by establishing a strict definition for what actually constitutes a true “craft” tequila.
The Criteria: To help overwhelmed consumers standing in front of retail shelves, the report evaluates brands on specific production standards, ultimately identifying 231 brands that officially meet the rigorous definition of “craft.”
This Flipboard magazine curated by Mark Lenzi (Liquor Industry News 07-16-26) features a collection of articles tracking key shifts, challenges, and historical insights in the wine and spirits world.
Here are the summaries of the top stories highlighted in this edition:
1. “Back Sweetening” is Reshaping the Wine Market
Source: The Drinks Business (by Roger Morris)
What’s happening: There is a growing global trend toward “friendlier,” slightly sweeter table wines, especially for by-the-glass pours in the US. Winemakers are increasingly using “back sweetening”—adding unfermented grape juice or concentrate back into a dry wine before bottling—to adjust flavor profiles. Interestingly, even traditional European regions are beginning to adapt to this consumer preference for softer, less astringent styles.
2. Harsh Weather Batters Virginia Vineyards
Source: WMRA (by Christine Phelan Kueter)
What’s happening: Virginia’s vineyards are facing a highly challenging year. An early-season freeze severely damaged young grape buds, which was quickly followed by an intense summer drought. While recent rainfall has offered minor relief, growers are bracing for significantly reduced crop yields as they navigate these extreme climate swings.
3. Roman Women Managed Ancient Wine and Olive Oil Production
Source: Archaeology Magazine (by Dario Radley)
What’s happening: A new historical study is rewriting what we know about the Roman vilica (female farm manager). Previously dismissed by historians as simple housekeepers who managed basic domestic chores, new evidence reveals that these women actively managed large-scale agricultural businesses, overseeing the complex production and trade of wine and olive oil on ancient Roman estates.
4. “The Human Element” in Wine
Source: Substack (by Sandra E. Taylor)
What’s happening: This piece explores the social and human aspects of the wine supply chain. It emphasizes that while terroir, climate, and technology are heavily discussed, the manual labor, ethical treatment of farmworkers, and the cultural communities surrounding vineyards are critical to the industry’s sustainability and ultimate success.
This specific link is a digital magazine titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 07-14-26” on Flipboard.
It is part of a long-running daily aggregation series curated by Mark Lenzi, a highly certified wine and spirits expert based in Massachusetts. Lenzi is the owner of Franklin Liquors and co-host of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)podcast. He updates these boards daily to track exactly what is shaping the alcoholic beverage industry.
Here are summaries of the top stories featured in the “Liquor Industry News” collection from July 11, 2026:
Uncle Nearest Legal Dispute Involves Claims of Ignored Red Flags The receiver for Uncle Nearest has filed a counterclaim against the lender Farm Credit Mid-America. The filing argues that the lender’s oversights and procedural failures effectively allowed the alleged fraud surrounding the company to continue undetected.
Super-Premium Tequila Projected to Shift by 2030 According to a report from the IWSR, while overall volume growth for some mid-tier super-premium Tequilas is currently experiencing a dip, the ultra-high-end segment of the category is projected to see a dramatic spike in total market value by 2030.
Crémant Gains Ground as an Affordable Champagne Alternative With sparkling wine sales continuing to rise globally, French Crémant is seeing a surge in appreciation. The traditional-method sparkling wine is increasingly favored by consumers looking for the quality and complexity of Champagne without the premium price tag.
Here is a summary of the top stories featured in Mark Lenzi’s curated Flipboard magazine, Liquor Industry News:
Highest-Scoring Tequilas of 2026 (So Far): An article from The Tequila Report sheds light on how they rate tequilas, sharing insider insights and a breakdown of the top-performing tequilas that have earned the highest scores this year.
The “Heavy Bottle” Illusion: Writing for Substack, Sandra E. Taylor dives into the consumer psychology of beverage packaging. She explains how thick, heavy-bottomed glass bottles trick our brains into instantly assuming a product is “premium,” complicating sustainability and packaging choices in the industry.
Why You Should Order the Cheapest Wine on the Menu: A feature in Food & Wine dispels the old advice of never ordering the absolute cheapest wine out of fear of looking cheap or getting low quality. The piece argues that the lowest-priced bottle is often carefully selected and surprises diners by punching well above its weight class.
The 20 Best Vodkas for 2026: VinePair outlines its definitive list of the absolute best vodkas on the market right now, ranking top bottles based on taste, versatility, and value.
Here is a summary of the key stories featured in the Liquor Industry News (07-06-26) collection curated by The Wonderful World of Wine:
Wine Digital Marketing Trends: In Episode 319 of The Wonderful World of Wine podcast, hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi interview Molly Bossardt to discuss the evolving landscape of digital marketing specifically tailored for the wine industry.
Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beers: Highlighting one of the fastest-growing sectors in the beverage industry, Tasting Table ranks eight non-alcoholic, low-calorie beers, reflecting a major market shift toward alcohol-free and refreshing alternatives.
Summer Wine Cocktails: Gamin Traveler provides a guide on how to make Spanish Sangria Blanca (White Sangria), positioning it as a lighter, white-wine alternative to traditional red sangria that is perfect for hot afternoons.
Understanding Younger Consumers: An article from Food & Wine explores what wine industry professionals need to know about the newest generation of drinkers, who bring distinct preferences, values, and buying habits compared to previous generations.
This Flipboard link opens up a curated collection titled “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 07-04-26” by Mark Lenzi, who runs The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW).
It contains 17 stories total, primarily focusing on wine trends, industry regulation, and trending beverages. Here are some of the standout pieces featured in the collection:
“What is ‘American’ Wine?” (Substack) – A dive into truth-in-labeling issues. It looks at the common consumer confusion when bottles on California grocery shelves carry the broad “American” designation rather than a specific region or state.
“We need to kick back a bit on wine and health” (Jamie Goode via Substack) – A piece suggesting that public messaging might be overly alarmist regarding moderate wine consumption. The author argues for a more balanced, honest conversation about wine enjoyment and health.
“7 Things You Should Know About BuzzBallz, the Trailblazing RTD Popular With Gen Z” (VinePair) – A profile on the massively successful ready-to-drink (RTD) brand. It covers how founder Merrilee Kick came up with the idea while sitting poolside during her time working as a schoolteacher, and why it has taken off so heavily with younger legal-drinking-age consumers.
“The 4 Best Bottles of Booze That Are Totally Tariff-Proof” (Esquire) – An industry-facing piece looking at specific spirit categories or brands that manage to bypass fluctuating import/export tariff issues.
This link is a curated collection of Liquor Industry News on Flipboard, put together by Mark Lenzi from The Wonderful World of Wine. Since it’s curated just ahead of Independence Day weekend, several of the top stories tie into American history and patriotic celebrations.
The standout stories featured in the collection include:
Top 10 Oldest Wineries and Distilleries in the US: A feature looking at the ten oldest beverage-making facilities in the country that are still actively running today.
Champagne on Course for Earliest Harvest Ever: An update on the wine industry showing that following a heavily frost-damaged start to the season and recent intense heatwaves, the Champagne region in France is on track for an unprecedentedly early harvest.
Beer Considered the ‘Most American’ of Drinks: Highlighting newly released polling data and statistics ahead of the July 4th weekend showing that the vast majority of U.S. adults view beer as the ultimate patriotic drink.
Ten Whiskeys for the US 250th Anniversary: A spotlight on ten commemorative American whiskeys—including a special America250 Commemorative Edition from Evan Williams—released to celebrate the country’s milestone anniversary.
The magazine contains 16 stories in total, primarily pulling insights from industry trade publications like The Drinks Business and The Spirits Business.
This specific Flipboard link from June 26, 2026, is part of a regular digital magazine curated by industry expert Mark Lenzi (owner of Franklin Liquors and host of The Wonderful World of Wine podcast). He aggregates the most relevant legal, economic, and cultural news impacting the wine, beer, and spirits landscape.
Here is a summary of the key stories featured in Mark Lenzi’s “Liquor Industry News” collection:
Mindful Drinking Podcast: An episode from The Wonderful World of Wine podcast (Episode 318) featuring hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi. They interview Carrie Boyle to discuss “Sip, Sense, and Savor: Unlocking the Mindful Glass,” focusing on mindful wine consumption and tasting practices.
Rethinking Sauternes: A feature from Robb Report suggesting that many wine drinkers are enjoying Sauternes all wrong. The article encourages readers to open up their palates to new possibilities and alternative food pairings for this famous French sweet wine.
Green River Bourbon Upgrades: An article via Inc. Magazine highlighting Green River distilling company, which previously made waves by winning a “World’s Best Bourbon” title with an affordable $35 bottle. The distillery has now released a highly anticipated, upgraded full-proof version of that award-winning whiskey.
The Classic Sherry Cobbler: A piece from Tasting Table providing a spotlight and recipe for the classic Sherry Cobbler cocktail, a historic, refreshing drink making a modern comeback.
Here is a summary of the top stories featured in the Liquor Industry News (06-21-26) Flipboard magazine curated by The Wonderful World of Wine:
The No. 1 Mistake to Avoid Before Your First Sip of Wine (Food & Wine) Sommelier and wine educator Amanda McCrossin advises wine drinkers to stop reaching for their water glass right before taking their first sip of wine. Doing so can cleanse the palate too harshly or alter the perceived flavor, leading people to judge a wine too early or write it off incorrectly.
West Coast IPAs for Fans of Bitter Hops (The Manual) This piece dives into the bold, aggressive world of West Coast IPAs. Acknowledging that their intense, resinous, and bitter hop profiles aren’t for everyone—often called the “cilantro of the beer world”—it highlights the best options currently on the market for true hopheads.
One of the Best New Tequilas of 2026 (Tasting Table) With an overwhelming number of tequila brands on the shelves, this article highlights a standout new release from a highly popular, established brand that is dominating the market for both shots and high-end cocktails.
Are Four Vats Better Than One? Blade and Bow’s New Bourbon (The Manual) A feature on Blade and Bow’s latest whiskey release, exploring their unique production methods. The story details how their multi-vat blending process shapes the flavor profile and elevates their bourbon line.
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 320 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Unveiling Perfection: Napa’s New Icon with Jayson Hu From a world-class collector to a visionary creator, Jayson Hu is redefining the pinnacle of Napa Valley luxury. In this episode, Kim and Mark sit down with […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 319 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Wine Digital Marketing With Molly Bossardt In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with Molly Bossardt of Bread & Butter Digital Marketing to pull back the […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 318 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Sip, Sense, and Savor: Unlocking the Mindful Glass with Carrie Boyle Cheers, wine lovers! In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), your hosts Kim and Mark sit down with the incredibly multi-talented […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 317 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Tariffs, Triumphs, and the Supreme Court: A Conversation with Victor Owen Schwartz In this landmark episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with a true titan of the […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 316 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! From Food Critic to Wine Titan With Meridith May In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with a true powerhouse of the industry: Meridith May. As the […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 315 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Sustainability with Sandra Taylor In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark dive deep into the world of sustainable viticulture with special guest Sandra Taylor. As the author of […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 314 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! From Prescriptions to Stills with GlenPharmer Distillery In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), hosts Kim and Mark sit down with Beth and Patrick Downing, the visionary owners of Franklin, Massachusetts’ own […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 313 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Decoding the Wine Label with Marie Cheslik Ever feel like you need a PhD and a Rosetta Stone just to pick a decent bottle of Cabernet? You aren’t alone. This week on The Wonderful World […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 312 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Parenting, Wine, and Playful Rhymes 🍷 Grab a glass and settle in! In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with the witty and insightful Danielle Frank, author […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 311 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! The Liquid Jazz Experience with Inventor Michael Fors In this episode, Kim and Mark dive into the art of aeration with Michael Fors, a Massachusetts-based wine inventor and the creator of The Liquid Jazz Experience. […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 310 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Uncorking a New Way to Learn with Mistral Wine Cards In this episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW), Kim and Mark sit down with Seth Cysewski, the visionary founder and inventor of Mistral […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 309 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Decoding Non-Alcoholic Wine with Rachel Martin Get ready for groundbreaking wine education on The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) as Kim and Mark host Rachel Martin, the visionary Founder and CEO of Oceano Wines ( […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 308 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Talking Whiskey With Colonel Craig Duncan Grab a glass 🥃 and join us for a very special episode as Kim and Mark take their first deep dive into the world of whiskey! We're thrilled to […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 307 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! Wine Social Media Star Kelly Axelrad Dive into a fascinating episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) as hosts Kim and Mark sit down with the powerhouse wine entrepreneur and social media superstar, Kelly […]
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 306 Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi exploring all things wine with you! A Spirited Sip with a Wine Maverick Raymond Blake Join hosts Kim and Mark on as they uncork a fantastic conversation with acclaimed Irish wine author, Raymond Blake. In this spirited episode, Raymond takes us […]
