Liquor Industry News 01-30-26
Exploring all things wine with you!
The following liquor industry news stories were featured on Mark Lenzi's "Liquor Industry News" for January 30, 2026:
- 2026 Grammys Cocktail Menu: Patrón, the official tequila partner of the Grammys, has unveiled its cocktail menu for the upcoming event on February 1. The lineup is described as "award-worthy" and showcases high-end mixology.
- Wine Pricing Controversy: A recent headline from The Drinks Businessclaiming that the average price of a bottle of U.S. wine reached $56.78 in 2025 has been challenged. Industry experts suggest this figure is inaccurate and likely based on flawed data or specific high-end segments rather than the broader market.
- Taylor Swift-Inspired Wine Marketing: A look at how wine brands can adopt "Swiftie" marketing tactics—being subtle, relevant, and building deep community connections—to reach modern consumers.
- Sustainability in Spirits: An exploration of what "sustainability" actually means for spirits brands in 2026, highlighting a shift from nebulous buzzwords to concrete commitments in production and packaging.
- Pinot Grigio Reclassification: New, tighter rules have been implemented for the Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC. Any Italian producers wishing to reclassify their wines under this designation must now commit to the move via a formal annual process.
- Top Whiskeys Under $50: Whiskey experts provided a curated list of the best "bang-for-your-buck" bottles, aiming to help consumers find high quality in the mid-range price bracket.
CSW,CSS,CWAS,FWS,IWS,SWS,IWM
Mark C Lenzi CSW,CSS,CWAS,FWS,IWS,SWS,IWM owner of Franklin Liquors, is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Spirits( CSS) by the Society of Wine Educators. The first in MA to hold a California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS) title from the San Francisco Wine School. French Wine Scholar(FWS)/instructor, Spanish Wine Scholar (SWS) and Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) by the Wine Scholar Guild. Italian Wine Specialist (IWS) by the North American Sommelier Association. Oregon Wine Expert (OWE) by the Napa Valley Wine Academy, Italian Wine Maestro (IWM) Vinitaly International (First USA Class), AFNA™ Wine Certified. Beer Essentials Certificate from Cornell University, California Sustainable Ambassador, Associates Degree from Whiskey University, Executive Bourbon Steward from Stave & Thief, American Single Malt Expert from American Single Malt Commission
Franklin Liquors is a family-owned vintage 1978. https://www.franklinliquors.com/
Founder of the Franklin Wine Club https://www.meetup.com/franklin-wine-club/
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