Liquor Industry News 08-03-26

Exploring all things wine with you!

https://flipboard.com/@marklenzi/liquor-industry-news-08-03-26-p0a6c3u0z?from=share&utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=curator_share

Here is a summary of the featured stories in Mark Lenzi's Liquor Industry News (08-03-26) collection from The Wonderful World of Wine:

1. Episode 321 — Crushin’ It in Boston: Redefining Wine Culture with Gabrielle Malina

• Source: The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Podcast
• Summary: Co-hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi sit down with Gabrielle Malina, the driving force behind Boston’s First Crush. The episode explores how local wine culture is being redefined through natural wines, community-focused events, and initiatives aimed at making wine more approachable and inclusive for everyday consumers.

2. The World's Best-Selling Vodka Isn't Grey Goose or Ketel One — It's Cheaper

• Source: Tasting Table
• Summary: Despite the premium marketing of brands like Grey Goose, Cîroc, or Ketel One, Smirnoff remains the undisputed global leader in vodka sales. Backed by global distribution via Diageo, Smirnoff moves roughly 23.4 million nine-liter cases annually—nearly double its closest competitor, Absolut. Its dominance is driven by an affordable price point (~$12 a bottle) and its status as an industry-standard, versatile workhorse mixer for high-volume bars.

3. Why You'll Never Find Norway's Best-Selling Beer on American Shelves

• Source: Tasting Table
• Summary: Norway’s top-selling pilsner, Ringnes Bryggeri (brewed since 1886 and owned by Carlsberg), is virtually impossible to find in the United States. Due to heavy alcohol production taxes in Scandinavia and high US import costs, bringing the domestic lager stateside is economically unfeasible for distributors. While traditional Norwegian lager remains abroad, American beer lovers can still sample Norwegian influence through craft imports or local beers brewed using traditional Norwegian kveik yeast.

4. What Real Vikings Drank When They Wanted Something Stronger Than Beer

• Source: The Takeout
• Summary: Centuries before modern distillation introduced hard liquor to Scandinavia, wealthy Vikings drank fruit wine when they wanted drinks with higher alcohol content than standard beer or mead. Using locally abundant ingredients like cherries, apples, pears, lingonberries, and cloudberries, ancient producers fermented fruit wines reaching ABVs similar to modern grape wines—a craft that parallels today's revival in artisanal fruit wines, traditional ciders, and perries.