The following is a summary of the stories featured in the January 12, 2026, edition of Liquor Industry News:
- Bloody Mary Variations: A look at eight creative riffs on the classic Bloody Mary, including the Caesar and the Michelada, designed to update the savory brunch favorite.
- Shelf Life of Boxed Wine: A week-by-week test reveals how long open boxed wine actually lasts before the flavor begins to fade, providing a definitive timeline for consumers.
- Proper Glassware Storage: An exploration of the debate over whether to store wine glasses right-side up or upside down, sharing the methods preferred by industry professionals.
- Portuguese Production Decline: Data from the Institute of Vine and Wine (IVV) shows that wine production in Portugal fell by 14% for the 2025/2026 season, totaling 5.9 million hectoliters.
- Price Disparity in Wine: An analysis of the variables—beyond just the juice—that account for the massive price gap between a $15 and a $150 bottle of wine.
- New Hampshire Revenue Risks: State officials are concerned as falling alcohol consumption levels threaten the traditional revenue streams that support New Hampshire's budget.
- The Chemistry of Beer Aging: A study from TUD Dresden University of Technology identifies a non-enzymatic pathway where ethanol reacts with sugar-derived compounds, contributing to flavor changes as beer ages.
- "Wine Improvement Districts": California regions like Temecula and Santa Barbara are implementing 1% to 2% fees on bottle sales to fund vintners associations and local industry growth.
- 2025 Whiskey Trends: A retrospective on the factors that shaped last year's market, including a surplus of well-aged barrels, tighter consumer economics, and the rise of smaller bottle formats.
- Sustainability Drives Sales: While general wine sales are slumping, labels that emphasize sustainable and ideological production methods are proving more resilient in the market.
- Biodynamics in Champagne: Growers in Épernay and Côte des Bar argue that focusing on soil health through biodynamic farming is the key to maintaining wine precision as climate pressures increase.
- Evaluating Chilean Wine: Vina Santa Sofía emphasizes that while ratings and scores are useful guides, the true value of Chilean wine is found in the experience of drinking it rather than just the numbers.
- Premium Non-Alcoholic Options: A curated list of 11 booze-free sparkling wines that mimic the acidity and "energy" of traditional Champagne for those seeking alcohol-free alternatives.
