Surveys suggest that most Americans strongly support alcohol regulation
November 14, 2013 For the past several years, the Center for Alcohol Policy has conducted a survey of Americans about alcohol regulation. This year, the Center again found that most Americans strongly support such regulation. The telephone survey of 1,000 adults over...
Canada threatens higher tariffs on US wine imports
November 7, 2013 US wine producers have become indirectly embroiled in a trade dispute between the US and Canada that could hamper access to their second biggest export market. Canada's agriculture minister, Gerry Ritz, warned this week that his country may impose...
September 2013 Control State results: sales up 1.4%
October 21, 2013 During September, nine-liter spirits case sales in the control states were up 1.4% compared to sales during the same period last year. Rolling-twelve month volumes grew at 1.8%, up from August’s 1.1%. Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire,...
EU wine harvest expected to raise over 15% from last year – still below the 5 year average
October 17, 2013 The grape harvest in the European Union has picked up from the extremely bad 2012 season, wine experts said. But key regions in France are still struggling because of bad weather. Several wine-producing regions had the worst harvest in a half-century...
Pennsylvania wineries may soon compete with state store monopoly
October 15, 2013 Joe Greff owns Blue Mountain Vineyards, a 50-acre, 35,000-gallon producing winery along the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. Greff began selling his products in the state store system about 15 years ago, he estimates. Today, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control...
Off-premise tastings bill on way in Wisconsin
October 2, 2013 Liquor stores may soon be able to serve you a shot-and-a-half of liquor for free under a bill that would equalize the free-sample playing field in Wisconsin. Under current law, retailers with a Class A license can offer customers tasting samples of...
Agave shortage with higher prices expected to last five more years
September 30, 2013 The tequila industry's agave crisis, which has seen prices rocket 500% in two years due to a shortage of supply, is likely to continue for another five years, according to Jesús Hernández, master distiller of Olmeca. Talking to Drinks International...
Sizable 2013 California winegrape crop should lead to lower pricing for bulk wines
September 26, 2013 Brimming winery tanks from the record 2012 crop are moderating pricing surplus winegrape tonnage and excess wine for what is thought to be another sizable crop this year, according to experts at a major annual gathering in Napa on Tuesday of the...
Local drink tax as revenue source gains momentum in Pennsylvania
September 24, 2013 The idea of a "drink tax" as a new revenue source for local governments has been percolating for a number of years, but hasn't drawn as much attention as proposals for a local sales tax or commuter tax. Now a local drink tax is being eyed as one of...