Pécharmant – The Best Alternative to Bordeaux Wine
With a rich history spanning centuries, the Pécharmant region is renowned for producing some of the most distinctive wines in France. Nestled in the Dordogne Valley, Pécharmant’s unique terroir gives birth to robust red wines that are as enigmatic as the region itself. But amidst this wine-rich land, one name stands out – Château Beauportail. […]
Italian Trade Agency and Vinitaly Bring U.S. Wine Industry Leaders Together in NYC to Discuss Tariffs, Trends and Trade
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and Veronafiere will bring wine industry professionals together in New York for the wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum on October 26–27, 2026. Held at Pier 36 alongside Vinitaly.USA, the forum is designed to connect Italian wineries with North American importers, distributors, retailers, buyers and hospitality professionals.
The two-day program will feature seminars, masterclasses, business-to-business meetings and networking, with a focus on market trends and the challenges facing Italian wine in the United States. ITA says the sessions will help producers build relationships with American industry professionals and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Three masterclasses will examine key questions for the sector:
- The future of Italian wine in America: Italian institutions and U.S. wine leaders will discuss trade and investment, brand development, restaurants and changing consumer preferences, with the aim of identifying shared priorities and practical ways to strengthen the relationship.
- What U.S. sommeliers look for: Italian producers and Master Sommeliers will discuss what influences whether a wine is tasted, listed or served by the glass—including price, margins, appellation, availability and distributor support.
- Selling Italian wine tourism: Representatives from travel and hospitality will explore how wineries and wine regions can become bookable, marketable parts of travel itineraries. Topics include service standards, accessibility, logistics, accommodation capacity and partnerships.
The forum is organized by Veronafiere in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency. The preliminary program and event details are available on the official wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum website.
Headframe Spirits Pauses American Single Malt Whiskey Production at Kelly Mineyard Facility
Headframe Spirits is pausing contracted production of American single malt whiskey at its Kelly Mineyard facility in Butte for the foreseeable future. The decision affects one contract client and does not impact the company’s own brands, including Orphan Girl Bourbon Cream Liqueur, or its Butte tasting room.
The facility holds about 15,000 barrels of whiskey made from Montana grain. Headframe owner John McKee said the client asked to pause production because current manufacturing costs exceed what it believes the whiskey can sell for. The client still hopes to release the product if market conditions improve.
McKee cited a broader downturn in the spirits industry, recessionary pressures and rising local compliance costs as factors behind the decision. The contract supports about 40% of Headframe’s full-time workforce. Affected employees will continue working through the end of the year and will be offered severance packages.
Headframe is also looking ahead to an expansion into upstate New York, new whiskey flavors planned for 2027 and an employee-owned trust intended to keep the company locally rooted.
4 Best Red Wines to Sip This Fall, According to a Wine Expert
As the weather cools, many wine drinkers shift from crisp whites and light rosés to fuller-bodied reds. Wine consultant Leslie Sbrocco recommends looking for bottles with dark fruit, earthy aromas, and enough warmth to pair with fall favorites such as soups, stews, pasta, lentils, beans, and grilled mushrooms.
Here are four styles she suggests exploring this season:
Argentinian Malbec
Though Malbec originated in France, Argentina is now its leading producer, particularly around Mendoza near the Andes. These full-bodied wines often offer blackberry, plum, and cherry flavors. Sunny days and cool nights help grapes retain freshness alongside their rich fruit character.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grown around the world, Cabernet Sauvignon is a versatile grape used in many celebrated wines. In Bordeaux, it contributes structure and complexity, often alongside Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Napa Valley Cabernets, meanwhile, are known for concentrated fruit, firm tannins, and a plush texture. If you haven’t enjoyed Cabernet from one region, trying a different region or producer may change your mind.
Grenache
Grenache thrives in warm, dry regions including southern France, Spain—where it’s called Garnacha—and Australia. It tends to be softer and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, but still has plenty of body, earthiness, and spice. Its approachable, food-friendly character works well with roasted meats and root vegetables.
Old-vine Zinfandel
California old-vine Zinfandel can be found in areas such as the Sierra Foothills, Sonoma, and Paso Robles. Some vines are more than a century old, producing full-bodied wines with ripe fruit, earthy notes, and spice. Its bold, warming profile makes it a fitting choice for the first truly cold days of the season.
Each category includes a wide range of bottles and prices, so choosing a wine that suits your budget—and asking a shop for tasting notes—can help you find the right fit.
Boston Beer (SAM) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Boston Beer reported a difficult third quarter, with depletions and shipments both down about 5% as consumers faced higher gas prices, inflation and pressure on discretionary spending. The company expects full-year volumes to decline by a mid-single-digit percentage, at the low end of its previous outlook.
Performance varied across the portfolio. Sun Cruiser grew about 60% in tracked channels during the quarter, while Angry Orchard recorded its sixth consecutive quarter of growth. Those gains were offset by declines in beer and hard seltzer. Twisted Tea remains the leading malt-based hard tea, but its sales have been affected by weaker demand for multipacks and retailers’ focus on displays for ready-to-drink spirits.
Boston Beer is reassessing Truly’s strategy, including its product, positioning and packaging, as the hard seltzer brand continues to struggle. Management said it aims to stabilize or grow the brand rather than abandon it. Advertising has been redirected from campaigns that did not appear to lift sales toward brands where the company sees a stronger response.
The company highlighted several growth initiatives. Sun Cruiser is expanding its distribution and marketing, while new products Rally Dog, a vodka-based ready-to-drink beverage, and LYTT, a high-alcohol malt-based drink, are being rolled out. Rally Dog is expected to reach more states, with a national expansion planned for 2027. LYTT has expanded beyond its initial markets and is also expected to become available nationally next year. Management cautioned that these launches are unlikely to materially affect 2026 results.
Despite weaker volumes and higher freight costs, gross margin rose 90 basis points year over year to 51.7%, its highest quarterly level since 2017. Improved brewery efficiency, product mix, procurement savings and pricing helped offset higher commodity and tariff costs. Boston Beer raised the lower end of its full-year gross-margin and earnings guidance, now forecasting gross margin of 49% to 50% and adjusted earnings per share of $9 to $10.50.
The company also reported continued progress on productivity efforts and said domestic production at its own breweries accounted for 98% of volume in the quarter, compared with 89% a year earlier. It has repurchased $80 million of shares year to date through Oct. 16.
Management expects the broader beer and beyond-beer market to remain under pressure through the end of 2026. It pointed to weak consumer purchasing power as a key headwind, while noting that shoppers are shifting toward smaller, lower-priced packs. Executives said the emerging vodka-based beverage category is growing quickly but remains highly competitive, and that the number of successful brands may narrow over time.
Create the Extraordinary with New Empress 1908 Vodka
Empress 1908 has introduced a vodka in British Columbia and Alberta, marking the brand’s move beyond gin. The new spirit was developed by Victoria Distillers, a long-established artisan distillery based in Victoria, B.C.
Bottled at 42.5% alcohol by volume, Empress 1908 Vodka is distilled four times using Canadian-grown corn and Canadian water. The company describes it as smooth, crisp and clean, with a light sweetness. It is intended for cocktails such as Vodka Martinis, Espresso Martinis and Dirty Vodka Martinis.
Victoria Distillers’ master distiller said the launch reflects the distillery’s history of making a range of spirits, including vodka. The company’s president and CEO said the new release extends the Empress 1908 portfolio, which includes several gins and a non-alcoholic spirit.
The 750 ml bottles are now available in British Columbia and Alberta, with a suggested retail price of C$48.99.
More details are available on the Empress 1908 Vodka product page.
Rumble (RUM) Stock Gets a Modest Fair Value Boost as Analysts Support Its AI Strategy
Analysts have raised Rumble Group’s fair value estimate from US$22 to US$23.50, citing the company’s growing focus on AI infrastructure and services. Their updated outlook also reflects a major AI services agreement that provides a potential foundation for future revenue.
Lake Street and Texas Capital have both initiated coverage with Buy ratings. Lake Street set a price target of US$25, while Texas Capital’s target is US$15.
Why analysts are optimistic
Both firms point to Rumble’s evolution beyond its video platform as an important factor in their assessments. Lake Street highlighted Rumble’s acquisition of 250 megawatts of power from Northern Data and a six-year, US$13.7 billion AI contract, reportedly with Anthropic. It views these developments as evidence of the company’s emergence as a contracted AI data-center operator and “neocloud.”
Texas Capital also cited the six-year agreement, saying it supports Quake AI’s services and could make future revenue more predictable.
Risks and valuation changes
The analyst outlook remains limited, with the available research based on early coverage from just the two firms. Investors therefore have relatively few independent assessments of the execution challenges involved in Rumble’s AI expansion and its ability to meet contract commitments.
Alongside the fair value increase, the updated assumptions include:
- Revenue growth rising from about 100% to about 150%
- Net profit margin increasing from roughly 1.3% to around 9.1%
- Future price-to-earnings multiple falling from 896.4x to about 89.0x
- Discount rate rising from 8.60% to approximately 9.13%
Investors will also be watching how Rumble’s partnerships, international payments and creator-monetization efforts develop, as well as the costs and risks associated with its AI and cloud investments.
Livermore Valley Named Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Region of the Year
The Livermore Valley has been named Wine Enthusiast’s “Wine Region of the Year,” recognizing the region’s longstanding influence on California winemaking. Livermore helped spread the Concannon cabernet sauvignon clones 7, 8 and 11, as well as the Wente chardonnay clone, across the Western United States.
The honor was celebrated at the 24th annual Taste Our Terroir food and wine competition, held Oct. 15 at the renovated Concannon Barrel Room and Bubbles Lounge. The event’s signature gala brought together local wineries and restaurants for food-and-wine pairings.
A panel of judges that included master sommelier Evan Goldstein, wine writer Betsy Andrews and Chef Daniela Fiala presented these awards:
- Best Classic Pairing: Page Mill Winery and Restaurant L Campo, pairing a 2022 GPS blend of Grenache and Petite Sirah with El Campo’s savory soffrito-filled waffle cone.
- Most Innovative Pairing: Steven Kent Winery and Lanna Thai, pairing 2024 “Rock” Cabernet Franc with slow-braised short rib and southern Thai turmeric curry noodles.
- Judges’ Best Overall Pairing: Occasio Winery and Sabio on Main, pairing 2025 Sauvignon Blanc with Thai green curry and butternut squash shooters.
Pruett Farms and the Cheese Parlor won People’s Choice for Best White Wine Pairing. Their entry combined a 2025 Poulet Sautant Stainless Steel Chardonnay with marinated Australian cheese, bourbon cashews, hot honey, Alto Adige speck and Granny Smith apple.
People’s Choice for Best Red Wine Pairing went to winemaker Rosie Fierro of Rosa Fierro Cellars and Chef Jose Madriz of El Charro. Their pairing featured Fierro’s 2017 “Call Me a Cab” Cabernet Sauvignon with a beef birria tamale.
Fierro said the two business owners wanted their pairing and table display to reflect their Hispanic heritage. Tamales are a tradition at Mexican family gatherings, she said, making them a fitting match for a wine event in their Livermore Valley community.
Occasio won the judges’ overall pairing award for the first time. The winery previously received the Most Innovative award in 2022 for a pairing created by Sabio on Main chef Francis Hogan.
More information about the Livermore Valley wine region is available at lvwine.org.
The regional recognition came as Livermore also mourned the death of Jim Concannon, a third-generation winemaker and longtime figure in the region’s wine industry. Concannon, 95, was known for producing the first varietal bottling of petite sirah in the United States. Budwood from the original Concannon “Mother Vine” was also used to help replant California cabernet vineyards damaged by phylloxera and other diseases.
Separately, the California Association of Winegrape Growers named J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines its 2026 Grower of the Year, citing the company’s work in winegrowing, sustainability and innovation. The family-owned business, founded by Jerry Lohr, operates vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco and St. Helena.
J. Lohr’s San Jose Wine Center is scheduled to host France in the Fall wine dinners Nov. 6–7. Details and tickets are available through J. Lohr.
Premier Cruz, a Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon event featuring 15 wineries, is set for Oct. 24 at Lexington Hills Estate and Winery in Los Gatos. The program will include library vintages, a McLaren showcase and light bites. Tickets are available online.
Escondido’s Beer Scene: Beyond Stone Brewing
For two decades, Stone Brewing was one of Escondido’s defining landmarks. Its sprawling brewery and restaurant on Citracado Parkway became a destination for craft-beer fans, with multiple bars and an expansive garden featuring trails, waterfalls, a lake and a koi pond. At one point, it ranked among North County’s most popular attractions.
Stone’s founders, Greg Koch and Steve Wagner, sold the company to Sapporo in 2022. Earlier this year, Sapporo sold Stone’s brands and several public venues to Firestone Walker Brewing and Duvel USA, while continuing to operate the Escondido location. The company has since announced that the restaurant’s last day under the Stone name will be Nov. 13.
Koch and Wagner plan to take over the site and reopen it as Quarry Escondido, a new concept without the Stone identity. Though the location will remain, Stone’s presence in Escondido is coming to an end.
Stone helped put the city on the craft-beer map, but it is far from the only place to find local brews. Escondido’s other breweries and taprooms are poised to draw more attention as the city’s beer scene moves into a new chapter.
Backyard Brewery
Backyard Brewery is located at 2229 Micro Place, in an industrial area not far from Stone’s former headquarters. Owner Bill Carter opened the business in 2022, aiming to invest in the community where he grew up.
The relaxed taproom is designed as a welcoming neighborhood gathering place. Its beer selection includes hop-forward brews, traditional Belgian ales and experimental releases, including an English-style IPA made with Carolina Reaper peppers. The site also houses Wild West Homebrew Supply Co., a store for homebrewing equipment and ingredients.
Carter credits Stone with helping establish Escondido as a craft-beer destination and creating an environment where smaller breweries could thrive.
Barley & Sword Brewing
At 800 West Grand Ave., Barley & Sword Brewing brings an English-pub-meets-medieval-stronghold atmosphere to its taproom, known as “The Tavern.” The space features faux-stone walls, lanterns, flags and swords, along with patios and a stage for local bands.
Owner Mike Howell expanded his North Park business to Escondido to brew more beer and reach a new community. The brewery focuses primarily on Old World styles, including U.K., Irish, Czech, Belgian and German ales and lagers—a distinctive lineup in San Diego County.
Burgeon Beer Co.
Burgeon at the Oasis operates at Escondido Feed & Pet Supply, 649 Rock Springs Road. The outdoor taproom took over the site of the former Escondido Brewery after it closed during the pandemic.
The Carlsbad-based brewery’s Oasis location gained a following with its outdoor setting and award-winning beers. Its lineup features clean lagers, dry San Diego-style IPAs and hazy, fruit-forward IPAs, with new releases arriving every other week. Burgeon co-founder and head brewer Anthony Tallman, who previously worked at Stone, said the community’s response turned the location from a trial run into a lasting success.
Escondido Social Taproom
Opened this month at 132 North Kalmia St., Escondido Social Taproom offers a carefully chosen range of San Diego-made drinks. The selection includes beer, wine, hard seltzer and nonalcoholic beverages.
Co-owners Aldo Barbosa and Matthew Holden previously worked at Little Miss Brewing, which occupied the downtown space before closing. They saw an opportunity to refresh the venue and join what they describe as a growing wave of restaurants, maker spaces and small businesses in downtown Escondido.
Made Wright Beer Co.
A new brewery could join the city’s lineup early next year. Escondido residents Jake and Nicole Wright are converting a former collectibles shop at 136 South Juniper St. into Made Wright Beer Co..
The planned nanobrewery will serve styles such as pilsner, amber ale, pale ale and IPAs in a 60-seat tasting room. The couple says they hope to create a comfortable neighborhood gathering place and invest in the community they have called home for nearly a decade.
Ohio-Made Whiskey to Benefit Military Families
An Ohio distillery is launching a whiskey nationwide to raise support for military families and first responders.
Middle West Spirits says its Old Elk brand developed Folds of Honor Blended American Whiskey in partnership with the nonprofit Folds of Honor. The organization provides scholarships to the spouses and children of people who have died or been disabled while serving their country or communities. Since its founding in 2007, it has awarded more than 62,000 scholarships valued at about $290 million.
The whiskey blends American whiskey with Old Elk High Malt Bourbon and Old Elk Rye. Old Elk describes its flavor as featuring toasted oak, leather and vanilla, with notes of cherry and baking spices.
The bottle is expected to retail for about $49.99. Visit Old Elk’s website for more information and to find a retailer.
Sen. Adam Schiff Warns Canada’s Wine Boycott Could Cause Lasting Damage
Sen. Adam Schiff warned that Canada’s boycott of American wine could cause lasting harm to U.S. wineries, even if the trade dispute that sparked it is resolved.
During a visit to Serres Ranch in Sonoma on Monday, Schiff met with wine industry representatives from Sonoma and Napa counties. He said the boycott had been “devastating,” contributing to more than $500 million in lost U.S. wine exports over 19 months and putting at risk ties with what had been the industry’s largest overseas market.
Canadian anger over President Donald Trump’s tariffs and comments about Canada has spread beyond provinces that restricted U.S. alcohol sales. Alberta is currently the only province allowing California wine to be sold, but Schiff said he heard concerns there, too. He recently met with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and provincial officials, then traveled to Ottawa for discussions with national officials and business representatives.
The decline in exports is steep. U.S. wine shipments to Canada fell 78% in 2025, from $460 million to $103 million, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture trade data. The Wine Institute estimates that the shortfall from March 2025 through June 2026 totaled about $522 million compared with the same period a year earlier.
The institute says the loss is not solely a measure of consumer preference: Most Canadian provinces stopped buying and distributing U.S. alcoholic beverages in March 2025, limiting access to American wine. Still, Canadian consumers and retailers are turning to alternatives. The Calgary Herald reported that demand for U.S. wine was waning in Alberta, while sales of local wine in British Columbia’s government liquor stores rose 157% from the previous year.
Canada’s share of U.S. wine exports dropped from 36% in 2024 to 12% in 2025, moving from the top destination to third place. The decline accounted for most of the drop in the value of U.S. wine exports worldwide, which fell from $1.27 billion in 2024 to about $830 million in 2025. Wine Institute statistics show exports have been trending downward since reaching roughly $1.6 billion in 2016.
Schiff urged fellow senators to visit Canada and maintain relationships with Canadian buyers and officials. He warned that rebuilding the market could be difficult as competitors take up shelf space and form ties with distributors and customers.
“ Shelf space doesn’t sit empty waiting for U.S. wine to come back,” said Wine Institute spokesperson Julie Berge. The organization is working with officials in both countries to restore access and help California wineries rebuild distribution and customer relationships. It says, however, that growth in other markets cannot replace access to Canada.
Schiff also called for changes to federal farm support programs to better serve specialty-crop growers. He said he hopes Congress will pass a farm bill that funds research into vineyard diseases such as red blotch and improves assistance for specialty crops. He also expressed interest in exploring federal wine-labeling legislation.