Wine Market Council and Quini Partner on Wine Flavor Research

I am glad and grateful to share that my brilliant colleague Dr. Sophie Ghvanidze and I co-authored the editorial for the Frankreich Spezial supplement of Weinwirtschaft special edition 2026. The editorial looks at the changing role of French wines in the German market, with a focus on regional dynamics, shifting consumer expectations, and new strategic challenges for the wine sector. We also acknowledge the Department of Wine and Beverage Business at Hochschule Geisenheim University.

Georgian wine is gaining momentum in Texas, and for good reason. After visiting Kakheti earlier this year, Brand Manager Bobby Gonsalves returned with a clear takeaway: this 8,000-year-old winemaking culture represents one of the most compelling growth opportunities in today’s market. From approachable reds to qvevri-fermented originals and sparkling disruptors, here’s how on- and off-premise buyers can confidently enter the category and position it for success: https://lnkd.in/gBSPw4if

Companies | Asgard Alcobev, the north-east based alcoholic beverage company, has appointed Rohit Jain as Chairman Emeritus & Strategic Advisor on Board for a five-year period. Read more: ⬇️ https://trib.al/euyX6xb

The wine market has changed fast. Casella Family Brands is still finding room to grow. Here’s how Simon Lawson is backing brands, people, and partnerships to keep momentum moving. Simon Lawson, Managing Director of CASELLA FAMILY BRANDS (EUROPE) LIMITED, shares how Casella Family Brands is growing [yellow tail], building Peter Lehmann Wines, strengthening supply chain partnerships, and backing a culture that helps people thrive. 🗨️"Our strategy is built around ‘know, buy, love’ – ensuring [yellow tail] is top of mind, easy to find, and consistently great tasting." 🔗Link to full insight in the comments #Wine #Leadership #BrandGrowth

Southern Glazer making more moves in New York as they are acquiring Clare Rose a 3rd generation beer/wine/spirit distributor with flagships like AB & Heineken's portfolios along with Red Bull & Fiji water in Long Island servicing Nassau & Suffolk Counties. This acquisition comes after last year's buying of AB's NYC beer/beverage distributor that serviced The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, & Staten Island--Brooklyn is serviced by another AB distributor, Union Beer (Sheehan Group). Southern is making moves in NY as NY is one of several states where spirit based RTDs are NOT able to be sold in grocery channels & only sold via NY wine/liquor stores. Thus, some brands make a malt based RTD version to sell in grocery channels, but these are sold by beer distributors and NOT via wine/spirit distributors in NY. This dual RTM & distribution channels for Alcoholic RTDs has locked out Southern from the very lucrative malt base RTD brands. As RTDs are one of the only bright spot showing growth in alcohol sales, it makes sense for Southern to get into the beer distribution business in order to serve BOTH RTD channels in the NYC metro area. Question is will Southern acquire other beer distributors in the rest of NY state and at what point would the DOJ/FTC get involved for anti-competitive reasons as distributor consolidation continues with the largest alcohol distributors buying various regional or state distributors where there are less than half the number of alcohol distributors now than in 2000. https://lnkd.in/e_DqeEsM

SVB’s Annual State of the U.S. Wine Industry Report is grim, but the annual analysis gives industry leaders a map for the road ahead. “This is not a cycle you can wait out,” Rob McMillan, the Wine Division founder of SVB, says. “What’s normal will never be normal again.” Read more about it 🔗 https://enth.to/4qkI8zT

If you’re rethinking your tasting room strategy, this is a must-see session. Susan DeMatei of WineGlass Marketing brings a sharp, outside-industry perspective on how experience, identity, and access are reshaping visitation, and what wineries must do to stay relevant. Practical. Strategic. Immediately actionable. 👉 Learn from one of the industry’s leading thinkers at the Wine Sales Symposium: https://lnkd.in/gkm2dYav

If you’re rethinking your tasting room strategy, this is a must-see session. Susan DeMatei of WineGlass Marketing brings a sharp, outside-industry perspective on how experience, identity, and access are reshaping visitation, and what wineries must do to stay relevant. Practical. Strategic. Immediately actionable. 👉 Learn from one of the industry’s leading thinkers at the Wine Sales Symposium: https://lnkd.in/gkm2dYav

We are thrilled to announce that Breakthru has expanded our distribution partnership with Copper Cane Wines & Spirits into Colorado. This expansion further strengthens Breakthru’s fine wine portfolio and builds on an existing 10-market partnership to carry Copper Cane’s entire selection of innovative wine brands, including Belle Glos, Quilt, Threadcount and Böen.