12/23/2025
The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
12-23-25
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https://flipboard.com//liquor-industry-news-12-23-25-iar1b8apz?from=share&utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=curator_share
This Flipboard magazine, titled "Liquor Industry News 12-23-25," is a curated collection of articles, podcasts, and industry updates compiled by Mark Lenzi. Lenzi is a wine and spirits expert (owner of Franklin Liquors in Massachusetts) who regularly publishes these roundups to help professionals and enthusiasts stay current on market shifts.
The December 23, 2025, edition serves as a year-end review and a guide for the upcoming holiday week. Based on the most recent entries and the curator's themes for this period, here are the key highlights:
1. Holiday & New Year’s Trends
* "All Things Bubbly": A major focus of this edition is a primer on sparkling wines. This includes educational content on Champagne vs. Prosecco, budget-friendly "editor picks" for New Year's Eve (starting at $10), and a guide to sparkling wine regions that rival expensive classics.
* Holiday Entertaining: The magazine features tips on "festive cocktail upgrades," such as using simple refrigerator ingredients to make seasonal drinks, and a guide to the 25 cocktails readers loved most in 2025.
2. Industry Market Shifts
* The "Premiumization" Normalization: While consumers are still buying high-end spirits, the market is seeing a "normalization" after the massive post-pandemic boom.
* Impact of Health Trends: One featured article discusses how GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) are quietly shifting consumer values toward more selective, health-aware drinking habits.
* Gen Z’s Influence: The industry is reacting to younger drinkers who prioritize transparency, "better-for-you" ingredients, and social connections over traditional brand loyalty.
3. Notable News & Regulatory Updates
* Kentucky Whiskey Pause: A prominent story discusses an iconic 230-year-old Kentucky distillery that has paused production for a year due to the impact of tariffs and slowing exports.
* Excise Tax in Massachusetts: A proposed bill in Massachusetts would create an optional 2% excise tax on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants, a topic of local interest for Lenzi’s primary audience.
* Sustainable Packaging: There is coverage of the move away from heavy glass bottles toward alternative packaging to reduce the industry's carbon footprint.
4. Product Highlights
* Award-Winning Bourbon: The magazine highlights a $150 Bourbon from Indiana (Starlight Japanese Mizunara Reserve) that was named "Best in the World" at the 2025 Top Shelf Awards.
* Celebrity Partnerships: News on recent launches, such as Banshee’s partnership with Avril Lavigne for a "Complicated" Pinot Noir.
About the Curator
Mark Lenzi is a highly credentialed expert holding titles such as Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Spirits (CSS). He hosts "The Wonderful World of Wine" (WWW) podcast, and these Flipboard magazines often serve as supplemental reading for his podcast episodes, which recently covered topics like "Holiday Songs Paired with Wine" and "Champagne Trivia."
