Archive for the ‘Wine Consumers’ Category
The American system of alcohol regulations is not merely broken, it has become a parody of the idea of control. What once was supposed to be a post-Prohibition system of regulations to assure the country did not fall back into a free-for-all alcohol market has morphed over the years into a chaotic collection of regulations and laws based on the what the highest bidder wants, on the principle of rent-seeking by the most powerful and politically connected entities in the…
Though in its infancy and surely with a long way to go before true legitimacy, the rising Cannabis industry appears to have its eyes set on becoming part of the artisan tourist industry that wineries invented and are far down the road to perfecting. One question that needs answering is this: Does the wine industry need the cannabis industry or does the cannabis industry need the wine industry? This is just one of the questions that will be explored at the…
It probably seems like a good idea when the kids are finally down and you are at the computer with a nice glass of wine in your hand. Sure, why not plan a little family vacation to Napa Valley, kids and all? Here’s the truth. It’s not a good idea. In fact, it’s a bad idea. Let’s be very clear. One goes to Disneyland to immerse the kids in the magic of Disney and ride some rides. One heads to…
Sometimes, out of nowhere, a lawmaker in a state does something audacious and profoundly beneficial to the consumers. That’s happened in Texas. A Texas lawmaker named Matt Rinaldi has authored a bill (HB 2291) that completely reforms the laws for the direct shipment of wine to consumers in that state. Currently, Texas retailers, Texas Wineries, and out-of-state wineries may ship wine to Texans. However, Texans are forbidden by law from having wine shipped to them from out-of-state retailers and wine…
As much as I like Rosé and as much as I like pretty pictures, I question this statement reported by Meininger’s Wine Business International recounting a seminar held recently at Vinisud 2017 in Montpellier: “Social media has helped rosé skyrocket to fame and fortune.” Master of Wine Sarah Abbot made the claim, going on to explain: “America has the largest number of Instagram users in the world, with Russia second. There are over 60m Instagram users in the States and they share…
