In the ever-evolving world of wine, tasting rooms have long been sacred spaces for sampling vintages and educating consumers about winemaking. But recently, the definition of what belongs in a tasting room has expanded beyond the conventional pour. Enter the world of alternative beverages—non-alcoholic wines, wine-based cocktails like Frosé, and low-alcohol spritzers. These trends are carving out significant space, appealing to younger generations, health-conscious consumers, and a broader range of visitors. The rise of alternative beverages in tasting rooms isn’t just a fleeting fad—it’s a response to shifting consumer preferences and lifestyle trends. The adaptability of tasting rooms to these new offerings is a testament to the industry’s resilience. The question now isn’t whether tasting rooms should adapt, but how they can complement the core identity of wine while capturing the attention of a broader audience. Changing Consumer Preferen

By Cheryl Durzy, Founder & CEO, LibDib From my desk here at LibDib, the recent closure of Drizly has been a topic of both professional and personal contemplation. Drizly wasn't just another tech startup; it was a pioneer in the compliant delivery of alcohol, blending innovative tech with a flair for irreverent marketing—exactly what the beverage industry needed back in 2015. Despite its downfall, partly hastened by a significant data breach, I have only respect for what Drizly achieved and for its team, some of whom I've been fortunate enough to know personally. In fact, one of the Drizly founders reached out to me within days of LibDib's launch. We discussed potential synergies, shared visions and experiences that highlighted the power of innovation in our field. Later, during the pandemic, we even exchanged town hall meetings and company swag, fostering a spirit of camaraderie. These interactions are cherished memories now (along with my Drizly hoodie), especial

Afternoon Brief, February 6th

WineVit State of the Industry Session Looks at National Challenges to Wine Consumption and Local Opportunities for Growth: U.S. wine sales down 9 percent in 2023. Twenty million gallons of oversupply. Gen Z only drinking 9 percent of wine. Fifty-two percent of young consumers believe drinking alcohol is bad for their health...

Pulling the lower-the-price lever to gain market share in a highly competitive category such as adult beverages is tempting. But it is not a good idea for all of the following reasons: Erodes profit margins Provides short-term gains at the expense of long-term strategy Reduces ability to invest in innovation Lowers perceived value deterioration Dilutes brand image Puts you in an unsustainable price war Hinders your ability to raise prices later Puts too much pressure on the need to increase the volume So, what should you do instead? We’re so glad you asked! Keep reading. 1) Protect and strengthen your brand equity Brand equity is a brand's value and strength built over time. Preserving brand equity should be your top priority. Every spending decision must be weighed against the potential threat to brand equity.  Another way of thinking about brand equity is “pricing power on the shelf.”  Here are twelve practical ways to strengthen your brand equity: En

Afternoon Brief, February 1st

Vinoshipper Releases 2nd Annual Craft Wine Direct Sales Report: Vinoshipper, the nation’s largest Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) wine shipping platform with more than 3,000 clients, released its second annual report today that shows a unique and optimistic perspective on direct sales across 47 states...

Afternoon Brief, January 9th

US Alcohol Industry's Worst Year Since 1991: The vast American liquor industry hasn't been in such poor shape for three decades...

Afternoon Brief, December 20th

Shocking Working Conditions in Champagne: An Arte report sheds light on the working conditions of harvest workers in Champagne...

Afternoon Brief, November 27th

‘Hundreds of Millions’ of Wine Labels to Be Destroyed: New European Commission guidelines concerning the labelling of wine bottles could result in a huge number of already printed labels being destroyed, according to the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV)...

Afternoon Brief, October 30th

Rudy Back in the Fake Wine Game: The world's most notorious wine counterfeiter is at it again – this time with his clients' blessings...

Afternoon Brief, October 16th

Bordeaux Arrests Made for Employing Under-Age Harvest Worker: Seven people have been arrested for allegedly exploiting migrant harvest workers, including an under age child, in Bordeaux...