Archive for the ‘Wine Consumers’ Category

Jan 15, 2020

The Dry Januarians Are A Threat That Need A Response

God bless Alain Ducasse. So upset and infuriated is the legendary French chef with the entire concept of “Dry January” that in response he has significantly lowered the price of his best Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux bottles at his Parisian restaurants during the first month of the year. The idea is to coax people off their pledge to not drink in January by enticing them with restaurant wine prices they can’t refuse. I’ve heard people who dismiss the Dry January…

Jan 2, 2020

Stop The Wine Tariffs

The threatened 100% tariffs on wines from the EU will result in a number of American wine importers closing down and going out of business. The proposed 100% tariffs on wines from the European Union will wreck a great number of small independent wine stores and wine bars. Many of the remaining small wholesalers will also be knocked for a loop. But don’t worry. Total Wine & More will survive. So will Southern Glazers. But, in the end, at least…

Dec 15, 2019

The Wine Issues and Items of 2019

After working on behalf of clients, my time is often taken up with attention paid to those issues and items in the wine world that most significantly impact my industry and my life. In 2019 there were many wine issues and items that consistently captured my attention. Going forward into 2020, many of these issues should attract your attention too. The Aggregators For those of us who closely follow the wine news and news of the industry, the aggregators have…

Dec 10, 2019

Five Important Wine Trends and Predictions for 2020

It’s not always easy to make predictions, but it is fun. The best way I know to do this is to look at obvious and not-so-obvious trends and try to discern where they are leading. Where is wine heading in 2020? The Economy Will Create Value in Wine I’ve been saying for some time now that I don’t like the path the economy is taking for any number of reasons. Real Estate trends, manufacturing slowdowns, rising debt and trade wars…

Dec 2, 2019

Private Alcohol Sales—Is It Really a Problem?

How much alcohol is being sold online from individual to individual outside licensed entities like retailers and producers? There seems to be an effort by the country’s state attorneys general to convince us that it’s at dangerously large amounts. But is it? Attorneys general from 46 states are so concerned about “illegitimate” alcohol sales on Ebay, Craigslist and Amazon that they put pen to paper and issued letters in October to these commercial platforms. In the letter, the attorneys general…