Wine 979

Constellation Brands, the parent company of Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi Winery, has announced a more challenging outlook for its wine and spirits sector despite ongoing success in its beer division. The company reported these findings during its fourth-quarter earnings release for fiscal 2026.

As part of its strategic shift, Constellation has been focusing on higher-priced wine brands like Mondavi, Schrader Cellars, and The Prisoner Wine Co., after divesting lower-priced labels such as Simi from Healdsburg last year. Nevertheless, the wine and spirits division is still grappling with weakened consumer demand and various industry challenges.

Chief Financial Officer Garth Hankinson highlighted several factors negatively impacting profit margins, including ongoing pressures within the category, challenges in distribution channels, and a need to rebalance distributor inventory. He noted that the anticipated growth in high-end U.S. wine has shifted to a scenario of slight declines, while high-end spirits have slowed from moderate growth to stagnant figures.

Additionally, the company has seen a decline in both winery visitations and international demand, specifically citing challenges in Canada, its largest market, where a ban on U.S. wines and spirits is still in effect.

In a recent report, Constellation recorded a net sales figure of $9.14 billion, reflecting a 10% decrease overall and a 4% decline for the remaining portfolio. The wine and spirits segment now represents only 9% of total revenue after various sales, and shipments in this area plummeted by 62% year-over-year.

The landmark Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville is set to reopen on April 20 following a significant renovation. A temporary tasting room was operational in downtown Napa during this time.

Despite these challenges, Constellation’s beer segment remains strong, particularly its Mexican beer brands. The company aims to adjust inventory levels with distributors to navigate the current slower sales environment and anticipates eventually returning to profitability, although it may take longer than expected due to existing market headwinds.

In contrast, Constellation’s beer division continues to thrive, showcasing solid momentum even amidst a tough economic backdrop, largely due to the success of popular brands like Modelo Especial, which holds the title of the top beer brand in the U.S. by dollar sales.

For more information on Constellation Brands and its operations, visit Constellation Brands.

Jeff Bitter, president of the Allied Grape Growers, is advocating for a revival of protective tariffs on imported wines to support California’s struggling wine industry. Despite many business owners in the past claiming that tariffs hurt their bottom line, Bitter insists that heightened tariffs could help domestic producers compete against the influx of cheaper imported wines.

As Bitter pointed out, approximately one-third of the wine consumed in the United States is imported, attributing the challenges faced by local growers to their inability to compete with lower-priced foreign products. He stated, "It’s hard for us to compete on price. Our costs in California are significantly higher than in most wine-producing countries."

The California wine industry has been experiencing a downturn as younger generations move away from traditional wine consumption. Reports indicate that in recent years, around 40,000 acres of vineyards have been removed to adjust to falling demand. Bitter shared, “The last two years, we’ve seen about 40,000 acres in the state pulled out each year, of wine grapes.”

The industry faces a significant challenge as wine is often viewed as a luxury product. This perception and the current economic climate have pushed many consumers towards cheaper alternatives. Bitter elaborated, “Wine isn’t a cheap product to buy… it’s not cheap regardless of the price point.”

However, not everyone agrees with Bitter’s perspective. Some producers argue that imposing tariffs on foreign wines will not lead to a shift in consumer preference. They highlight that American wine cannot easily replace popular international varieties like Sancerre, Chianti, or Barolo. Moreover, 97% of the wine produced in California is consumed domestically, with only a small fraction exported, signaling that tariffs may not be the panacea Bitter envisions.

As the strategy continues to unfold under the scrutiny of the marketplace and consumer trends, the effectiveness of tariffs as a solution to save California’s wine industry remains uncertain.

If you’re planning a wine-focused getaway, the shortlist for the Wine Travel Awards 2025–2026 provides an excellent starting point. These awards not only assess wines but also the complete travel experience, including sustainability, culture, and innovation.

How the Rankings Work

The Wine Travel Awards utilize a two-step evaluation process. First, wine lovers and travelers worldwide vote for their top destinations. Then, industry experts review the leading contenders, considering factors like wine quality, tourism infrastructure, and eco-friendly practices. This combination offers a valuable resource for choosing your next travel destination.

The Top 5 Wine Regions to Explore

Here are five regions that wine enthusiasts should consider:

Burgenland, Austria

Known for its blend of tradition and modernity, Burgenland boasts a unique microclimate near Lake Neusiedl, producing notable sweet wines and elegant reds such as Blaufränkisch. The region prioritizes sustainability, featuring eco-friendly vineyards and numerous wine tourism opportunities.

• What to try: Blaufränkisch or a noble rot sweet wine.

California, USA

California Wine Country, including Napa Valley and Sonoma County, stands out as a major wine destination. Its diversity is complemented by a strong farm-to-table culinary scene and scenic drives, making it a popular choice for wine travelers.

• What to try: Napa Cabernet Sauvignon or Sonoma Pinot Noir.

South Africa

With stunning landscapes and rich history, South African wine regions like Stellenbosch and Hermanus offer breathtaking views and a commitment to sustainability, blending tradition with innovation.

• What to try: Pinotage or Chenin Blanc.

Romania

Emerging as a wine travel hotspot, Romania introduces visitors to indigenous grape varieties and modern winemaking. The “Wines of Romania” initiative promotes cultural storytelling, offering unique wine routes.

• What to try: Fetească Neagră or Fetească Albă.

Valpolicella, Italy

Near Verona, Valpolicella is famous for celebrated wines like Amarone and Ripasso. With its rolling hills and historical villages, it offers a perfect blend of wine, culture, and tourism experiences.

• What to try: Amarone della Valpolicella or Ripasso.

A New Way to Experience Wine Travel

These regions excel in providing more than just wine tasting; they focus on creating connections with the land, people, and culture behind each bottle. This evolving perspective on wine travel emphasizes sustainability and immersive experiences, whether cycling through Austrian vineyards or enjoying the views along the South African coast.

The Wine Travel Awards recognize this shift, making it clear that exceptional wine regions today encapsulate far more than just wine.

Scientists in the UK have developed an innovative AI-powered device called RipenAI, designed to assess grape ripeness for winemaking. This handheld sensor utilizes advanced machine learning and optical technology to give winemakers immediate and precise information regarding when grapes are ready to be harvested.

Traditionally, determining grape ripeness involves labor-intensive sampling and testing methods that can slow the process down significantly. With RipenAI, the sensor can analyze how grapes absorb and reflect different wavelengths of light, which changes as the grapes mature. This allows for rapid, real-time assessments right on the vine, significantly enhancing efficiency in the grape harvesting process.

Xuechun Wang, a post-doctoral researcher at Queen Mary University of London, explains that the technology is capable of estimating grape ripeness without causing any harm to the fruit. The device can be handheld or installed across vineyards to continuously monitor grape ripeness and overall crop health.

Nick Edwards, director of Saffron Grange Vineyard, emphasized the importance of timing in grape harvesting for producing high-quality wine. Proper monitoring of parameters such as sugar content and acidity is critical to selecting the optimal time to pick grapes, which varies based on multiple factors including weather and vine location.

The introduction of RipenAI promises substantial advantages for winemakers. By providing constant, non-destructive insights into grape ripeness, the device aids in careful planning for labor and winery preparations. This potentially minimizes the need for additional interventions during the winemaking process, leading to a production of higher-quality sparkling wines.

The research team is actively seeking vineyards, agritech firms, and fruit orchards to test a prototype of RipenAI during the upcoming harvest season. Given the growth of the wine industry in the UK, the tool is poised to be a game-changer, signaling a future where precision agriculture plays a larger role in winemaking.

For more information about the US wine industry, refer to Wine Enthusiast’s recent recognition of the Finger Lakes as the American Wine Region of the Year.

Scientists at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have developed an innovative AI-powered device called RipenAI, designed to enhance the efficiency of wine production by determining grape ripeness. This handheld optical sensor provides real-time information on whether grapes are ready for harvest, employing advanced machine learning techniques.

Traditionally, determining grape ripeness involved manual sampling and slow destructive testing, which can be time-consuming. With RipenAI, researchers utilize optical sensors to detect various wavelengths of light absorbed and reflected by the grapes. As grapes ripen, their chemical makeup changes, affecting their optical response. The sensors analyze these spectral patterns to gauge ripeness without harming the fruit.

Post-doctoral researcher Xuechun Wang, who specializes in intelligent sensors, highlighted the device’s practical utility. It allows grape pickers to quickly assess ripeness on-site, supporting better decision-making in the vineyard. Additionally, it can be permanently set up in vineyards to monitor grapes continually, offering insights into crop health.

The team at QMUL is collaborating with Extend Robotics and Saffron Grange Vineyard in Essex to integrate this technology into robotic grape pickers, further enhancing harvesting efficiency.

Nick Edwards, director at Saffron Grange Vineyard, emphasized the critical nature of timing in grape harvesting for producing high-quality wine. The RipenAI technology promises significant advantages for winemakers, enabling precise harvesting aligned with the optimal balance of sugar and acidity needed for desired wine styles. With RipenAI, growers will be able to repeatedly monitor ripeness throughout the ripening process, leading to better harvest decisions that can improve wine quality while reducing the need for interventions like de-acidification.

Early field trials have yielded promising data, and the research team is now looking to expand its collaboration with more vineyards and agritech companies in the upcoming harvest season. They believe that widespread adoption of this technology could significantly impact the wine industry, particularly in regions looking to optimize their production methods.

Moreover, the technology is adaptable for various other crops, such as apples and berries, showcasing its potential beyond viticulture. As the U.K.’s wine industry continues to grow, advancements like RipenAI play a crucial role in supporting winemakers in achieving success through improved practices.

A remarkable achievement unfolded recently for Sonoma County when a Grenache from Grey Stack Cellars clinched the top honor at the 14th annual North Coast Wine Challenge. This prestigious award marks the first time a Grenache has won the “Best of the Best” title in this notable wine competition, which gathered more than 1,000 entries from across the region.

The event took place on April 8, 2026, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, with Grey Stack’s 2023 Grenache from Sonoma Mountain not only winning the overall best prize but also taking home awards for Best Red and Best Sonoma County wine. Additionally, its 2025 Rosé of Pinot Noir and Grenache garnered the title of Best Rosé.

Deodora Estate’s Sonoma Coast Riesling secured the title of Best White for the second year in a row, marking a historic consecutive win. Other notable winners included Breathless Wines’ NV Brut for Best Sparkling and Navarro Vineyards’ Late Harvest Riesling for Best Dessert.

Daryl Groom, the chief judge of the competition, expressed enthusiasm over the outcomes, particularly the triumphs of Grenache and Riesling. Traditionally, varietals like Chardonnay or Bordeaux blends often took the upper hand, so this shift in preference highlights evolving consumer tastes, leaning towards lighter wines.

The competition brought together 30 local judges who blind-tasted wines sourced from 220 wineries within the North Coast AVA, which encompasses Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano, and Marin counties. Only a select 42 wines moved on to the final sweepstakes round, including various categories such as reds, whites, and sparkling.

Among the notable mentions, the “other white varietals” category, which includes less common varietals, saw significant growth, indicating a rising consumer interest in unique white wines. While Chardonnay remains the most entered varietal, many wineries are expanding their selections to include crisper options to attract a wider audience.

The tasting event not only showcases the diversity of wines produced in the region but also highlights the ongoing commitment of local wineries to elevate their craft. Looking ahead, wine enthusiasts can look forward to savoring the award-winning selections at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival on June 13 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. For further details, visit northcoastwineandfood.com.

Top Winners of the 2026 North Coast Wine Challenge

• Best of the Best, Best Red, and Best Sonoma County: Grey Stack Cellars 2023 Grenache, Four Brothers Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
• Best Sparkling: Breathless Wines (NV) Brut, Sonoma County
• Best White: Deodora Estate Vineyards 2023 Riesling, Sonoma Coast
• Best Rosé: Grey Stack Cellars 2025 Rosé of Pinot Noir and Grenache, Four Brothers Vineyard
• Best Dessert: Navarro Vineyards 2025 Late Harvest Riesling, Anderson Valley
• Best Napa County: AMPL 2023 Proprietary Red Blend, Howell Mountain
• Best Mendocino County: Ra Ra Wine Co. 2025 Dry Gewürztraminer, Redwood Valley
• Best Lake County: R Vineyards 2023 Reba Red, Lake County
• Best Solano County: Moshin Vineyards 2024 Chenin Blanc, Solano County

I know we’ve all been there—you’re cooking something on the stove or you just pulled a pan from the oven, and you instinctively reach for the hot handle without thinking. A few seconds later, the heat reminds you that it was just simmering at high temperatures. We learn this lesson the hard way, but we keep making the same mistake.

Recently, I stumbled upon a wine cork hack that serves as a simple, effective reminder that your pot lid or handle is hot. This trick allows you to grab it without burning your fingers, and what’s more, it gives a second life to an otherwise discarded cork.

Los Angeles-based creator Sidney Raskind, known for his engaging content on TikTok and Instagram, shared this gem in his series "Things I Didn’t Know Until I Was in My 30s." Intrigued by the idea, I decided to test it out myself.

How to Use a Wine Cork as a Heat-Resistant Handle Extension

In his quick video, Sidney demonstrated how to position a wine cork between your hand and the hot handle of a pot or pan. This technique minimizes your chances of burns by providing a buffer.

On my own kitchen trial, I didn’t have the precise corks he used, but I experimented with a regular red wine cork and a cork from a sparkling Italian wine. I wanted to see how well they fit and whether they could help with heat insulation.

What I Discovered

Overall, the concept does have merit, but its effectiveness highly depends on the type of cork and the shape of your cookware. Some combinations felt secure and stable, but others were too loose to provide reliable protection.

The regular wine cork did not fit well at all, whereas the larger sparkling wine cork had a decent fit. However, while lifting the pan, it tilted, and I faced a slight burn from the escaping steam.

Tips for Using a Cork to Prevent Burns

1. Choose a Larger Cork: The wider the cork, the better. Corks from champagne bottles, which have a mushroom-like top, provide a more stable grip.

2. Opt for Shorter Handles: This hack works best on pots with handles that are closer to the pot itself. The shorter handles tend to hold the cork securely in place.

3. Test the Fit: Don’t wait until your pot is hot to try this out. Always ensure that the cork fits securely on a cool pot before using it.

4. Use with Caution: While the cork can serve as a visual indicator, don’t rely solely on it for heat protection. It’s wise to keep a kitchen towel nearby for added safety.

Final Thoughts

While this wine cork trick has a lot of creativity behind it, in practice it offers mixed results. It’s certainly worth trying if you love kitchen hacks and already have corks handy. Just remember to be cautious and keep other heat protection methods in reach.

For those curious about other useful culinary hacks, you might also enjoy this article on how to clean a dirty pan with a potato.

Restaurants often rely on their wine lists for significant profit, manipulating how wines are presented to influence customer choices. The structure of these lists is meticulously designed, from pricing to placement, guiding diners towards selections that boost the restaurant’s bottom line.

Entry-Level Wines and Their Markups

Interestingly, the least expensive wines typically feature the highest markups. While premium wines might be priced just above their wholesale costs, the cheapest bottles can be marked up 300-400%. For instance, a wine that retails for $12 may be listed at $45 in a restaurant, as diners often neglect to compare prices with retail during their meal.

The Allure of the Second-Cheapest Bottle

Many people avoid the cheapest wine on the list, leading them to select the second-cheapest option, which often has high profit margins. This strategic placement allows restaurants to profit from a choice perceived as more sensible by the diner, despite possibly costing the restaurant less than nearby offerings.

Psychological Anchoring with Luxury Wines

Wine lists frequently contain extraordinarily expensive bottles that few customers will purchase. These luxury wines serve as psychological anchors, adjusting the perception of what is considered normal pricing. With an ultra-high-priced Bordeaux listed, a nearby $120 bottle seems far more reasonable by comparison.

Menu Placement and Its Impact

The layout of wine lists is crafted with psychological insights, emphasizing certain areas that catch the eye, referred to as "menu sweet spots." Wines placed in these spots often yield the highest profits due to their enhanced visibility.

Concealing Spending Through Formatting

Some wine lists omit the dollar sign from prices, making the costs feel less tangible. Research shows this trick can lead to increased spending, as diners might not fully register the amount they are about to spend.

Premium Markups for Recognizable Regions

Wines from well-known regions, such as Bordeaux or Napa Valley, often carry inflated prices due to their familiarity. Diners prefer these established names, which allows restaurants to charge higher prices for them compared to lesser-known but similar options.

The Cost Trouble with By-the-Glass Pricing

While ordering wine by the glass seems appealing, it can result in higher overall costs. A standard bottle contains about five glasses; hence, purchasing multiple glasses can quickly exceed the price of buying a full bottle, leading to unexpected expenses for diners.

Awareness of these tactics can help diners make more informed choices and potentially save money during their dining experiences.

As many Americans have learned in the past year since "Liberation Day," tariffs can disrupt supply chains in numerous ways, primarily by increasing costs for consumers. A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that consumers essentially bear the full financial burden of tariffs and often more.

The study detailed the movement of a single bottle of imported wine through the global supply chain, essentially offering a contemporary twist on the classic economic concept illustrated in Leonard Read’s essay, "I, Pencil." The authors uncovered that while foreign producers may lower their prices to absorb some tariff costs, this is not enough to keep consumer prices from rising significantly.

For instance, a bottle of wine that originally would cost $5 to export and $23 to purchase in an American store experienced changes when a 25% tariff was implemented. It was found that exporters reduced their prices to about $4.74, reflecting a loss of 26 cents per bottle. Once imported to the U.S., the price was affected by the imposed tariff, resulting in the government collecting $1.19 per bottle.

After accounting for various taxes and fees that remained unchanged due to the tariff, the retail price increased by an average of $1.59. Consequently, consumers ended up paying an astonishing 134% of the total tariff increase, even though foreign producers had attempted to reduce their prices.

This situation highlights a critical issue with tariffs—nearly everyone involved in the transaction ends up worse off. Producers lose out on revenue from lowered export prices, and consumers face elevated retail costs. The only entity profiting seems to be the government due to the accrued tax revenue from the tariffs.

The findings underscore a fundamental economic lesson: tariffs often do not accomplish their intended goal of protecting domestic industries. Instead, they tend to create a burden on consumers while benefiting the government financially.

For additional details, refer to the full study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research and background discussions on the relationship between tariffs and pricing dynamics.

In recent discussions about tariffs in the United States, a study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research has shed light on the true costs associated with these trade policies. The researchers traced the journey of a single bottle of wine through the supply chain, demonstrating how tariffs ultimately burden consumers.

Before tariffs were implemented, a bottle of wine priced at $5 would retail for approximately $23 in the U.S. When a 25% tariff was introduced, foreign exporters began to react by lowering their prices to remain competitive. As a result, the same bottle of wine was exported at an average price of $4.74, indicating a loss of 26 cents per bottle for the producers.

However, once the wine arrived in the U.S., the 25% tariff added $1.19 to its cost. This amount didn’t disappear; instead, it was absorbed along with existing taxes and markups, leading to an increase in retail price, which rose by an average of $1.59. Consequently, consumers found themselves paying significantly more: overall, they bore an expense equivalent to 134% of the tariff increase, even with foreign producers lowering their prices.

The authors of the study concluded that tariffs do not provide relief but instead negatively affect all stakeholders except the government, which benefits from the increased revenue generated by the tariffs. This insight emphasizes a critical economic takeaway—tariffs distort market dynamics, often leading to an overall loss for producers and consumers alike while enriching government coffers.

The findings reason that while the intent behind tariffs might be to protect domestic industries, the ripple effects can lead to heightened prices and reduced market efficiency, questioning the overall effectiveness of such trade barriers.