Liquor Industry News 01-08-26
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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.
CSW,CSS,CWAS,FWS,IWS,SWS,IWM
Mark C Lenzi CSW,CSS,CWAS,FWS,IWS,SWS,IWM owner of Franklin Liquors, is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Spirits( CSS) by the Society of Wine Educators. The first in MA to hold a California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS) title from the San Francisco Wine School. French Wine Scholar(FWS)/instructor, Spanish Wine Scholar (SWS) and Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) by the Wine Scholar Guild. Italian Wine Specialist (IWS) by the North American Sommelier Association. Oregon Wine Expert (OWE) by the Napa Valley Wine Academy, Italian Wine Maestro (IWM) Vinitaly International (First USA Class), AFNA™ Wine Certified. Whiskey Diploma Journeyman Whiskey Taster from Whiskey University
Franklin Liquors is a family-owned vintage 1978. https://www.franklinliquors.com/
Founder of the Franklin Wine Club https://www.meetup.com/franklin-wine-club/
Liquor Industry News 01-07-26
