6 Spirits Industry and Cocktail Trends to Watch in 2026
Cocktails lean toward “ready-to-eat,” the gin category gets a leg up from Gen Z, and a sustainability-minded zeitgeist pushes waste-based spirits from novelty to mainstream
Cocktails lean toward “ready-to-eat,” the gin category gets a leg up from Gen Z, and a sustainability-minded zeitgeist pushes waste-based spirits from novelty to mainstream
To not only survive, but thrive, breweries must effectively target Gen Z, provide value for consumers, and cope with uncertainty around THC drinks
Over the next year, wine businesses will be forced to make decisions based on difficult economic conditions, but Americans are still buying wine—and creating opportunities in certain categories
From milling ratios to brewing techniques, the world of sake is constantly evolving. These are the key developments pushing the category forward in the new year
Nearly every aspect of the whiskey-making process impacts the level of vanilla flavor, from the choice of wood to the climatic conditions—and it’s up to the distiller to successfully dial it in
For nearly 150 years, López de Heredia has crafted traditional, long-aged Rioja wines. How did they develop a following among collectors and reshape the mindset around Rioja along the way?
Champagnes made with no dosage are gaining in popularity and regularly appearing on wine lists across the country. These are sommeliers’ top recommendations
From countries with growing sparkling exports to islands that are just dipping a toe into bubbly production, these wine regions are worth taking a second look at for sparkling wine
Japanese whisky, long dominated by two players, has seen an influx of new producers in recent years—and now a few standout brands are reaching maturity and garnering acclaim
A member of Beaujolais’s infamous “Gang of Four,” the late Marcel Lapierre is a reference point for the region thanks to his traditional, low-intervention wines
As consumer tastes mature, craft brewers are turning away from the sugary excess of pastry stouts, instead seeking depth and balance in their beers through barrel aging
Can wines successfully age under screw cap? Long-term producer data and ample scientific research now offers a detailed answer
While their avant-garde approach and firm dedication to organic practices have sometimes left them as outliers in the Napa Valley, there’s no doubting the deeply important impact Jill and Steve Matthiasson have had on wine
As more California wine regions consider the adoption of these controversial marketing funding models, vintners and regulators evaluate the pros and cons of wine improvement districts
Just a few decades ago, Ningxia was an impoverished rural region in north-central China. Today, it is at the forefront of the country’s quality wine revolution
Nearly 400 years ago, Chenin Blanc traveled from France to South Africa, where it thrived in a warmer, drier climate. Now, researchers from the two countries are teaming up to find more resilient clones amidst climate change
In today’s tumultuous climate, launching a new wine label is no easy feat—but it’s not impossible. Founders and owners share their advice for successfully bringing a brand to market
By using more sophisticated technology and focusing on technique, winemakers can use grape presses to craft more precise wines of different quality levels and styles
The fourth edition of SevenFifty Daily’s industry-wide report shows a sector grappling with economic headwinds—yet remaining cautiously optimistic about the future
Crop thinning—the practice of removing some grape clusters from the vine before harvest—is thought to boost the quality of the remaining crop, but how well does it actually work?
After decades of back and forth, the bar is said to be higher than ever for the 2025 Cru Bourgeois classification in Bordeaux. Will this help the designation find new footing?
Known as País, Mission, Criolla Chica, or Listán Prieto, depending on which country you’re in, this grape variety is a light red wonder that is winning over winemakers and sommeliers alike
From introducing tailored, AI-generated messaging to forgoing influencer content, here’s how wineries are evolving their marketing strategies in 2025 and beyond
Sylvain Pataille changed the industry’s perception of Burgundy’s underdog white grape—as well as the Marsannay appellation as a whole