Keeping up with industry news and trends is one of the most underrated disciplines in beverage alcohol. It’s a frightening habit, admittedly — slowing down long enough to read or at least skim several articles every day when the return on investment takes months or years to materialize.  When sales are down, it’s human nature to scrounge for the fastest wins available. In our desperation to keep the lights on, we abandon most eagerly the very practices that would lead to longevity and profitability for our business. The inconvenient timing of these insights — namely, that the best articles and industry reports tend to circulate precisely when everyone has checked out for the holidays —only intensifies the competitive advantage up for grabs by those who are paying attention. An up-to-date understanding of consumer preferences and behavior can inform our production, focus our messaging, and align sales & marketing so that everything from tasting ro

Afternoon Brief, June 24th

New Tariffs Threaten Europe's Winemakers: After a period of alarming flat-lining and decline, the wine industry is finally showing signs of strength, vitality and growth. Two storm clouds on the horizon threaten that success though...

Afternoon Brief, June 6th

China, US and India Lead Path to Recovery for Global Alcohol Market: Global beverage alcohol is expected to begin its recovery in 2025, according to new data and forecasts from IWSR, with three markets in particular driving growth...

Afternoon Brief, May 30th

Federal Judge Rules Provi’s Antitrust Case Against Southern Glazer’s and RNDC Will Proceed: Today, a federal judge ruled the antitrust complaint filed by Provi, the largest online marketplace for the beverage alcohol industry, against the nation’s two largest wine and spirits distributors, Southern Glazer’s Wines and Spirits (Southern) and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), will move forward as the court denied a Motion to Dismiss “in its entirety” filed by the defendants...

Afternoon Brief, May 23rd

Riverland Wine Growers United in Rejecting Contract Buy-Out amid Industry Uncertainty: Growers from a cooperative in Australia's largest wine producing region have rejected an offer to sell their red wine contracts amid a crisis of global oversupply...

Afternoon Brief, May 22nd

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers Acquires Ram’s Gate Winery and Creates New Luxury Wine Division: O’Neill Vintners & Distillers Founder and CEO Jeff O’Neill has been a co-owner of the brand since 2011, and now takes complete ownership of the brand and property, creating a new luxury wine division...

Afternoon Brief, May 20th

Wine Comes Roaring Back: Is all the panic about wine's decline much ado about nothing?...

Afternoon Brief, May 13th

US Wine's Tricky Path to Recovery: Prices are down and regulation is up, offering a outlook bleak to US wine producers – but there are faint signs of hope...

Afternoon Brief, May 8th

In a Major Pinot Noir Purchase, Constellation Buys Sta. Rita Hills Icon Sea Smoke: The Santa Barbara County winery was a key player in the region’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay renaissance...