Liquor Industry News 02-27-28
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The Liquor Industry News for February 27, 2026, curated by Mark Lenzi (The Wonderful World of Wine), highlights several key trends and challenges facing the global alcohol market:
Market Trends & Industry Challenges
- Falling Consumption & R&D: As global alcohol consumption continues to decline, the industry is aggressively rethinking research and development. Producers are scrambling to reformulate products to match changing consumer habits.
- The "No-Alcohol" Wine Reality: While non-alcoholic beer and spirits have seen success, the "No-Alcohol Wine Boom" is facing a reality check, with reports suggesting it is not performing as strongly as initially expected.
- Safety Concerns for Women: A report from Areni Global suggests that safety fears—specifically regarding drink spiking—may be driving female consumers, particularly students, away from wine consumption.
Company & Category Updates
- MGP Ingredients Struggles: Major third-party producer MGP Ingredients reported a significant 52% drop in full-year whiskey sales, reflecting a plunge in demand.
- Vermouth’s Spotlight: Beyond its use as a cocktail ingredient, there is a growing appreciation for the depth and nuance of vermouth as a standalone fortified wine.
- Wine Tourism: An industry piece highlights 15 reasons why cruising has become an ideal vacation format for serious wine enthusiasts who are willing to spend high amounts on premium labels.
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 02-26-26
