Team C&J
Wine-Searcher – Tariff Winners and Losers in Wine and Spirits
W. Blake Gray sums it all up. The few winners and a lot of losers. From the article:
My personal reaction to Trump’s announcement was to turn to my wife and say: “Let’s go to Japantown and buy some sake.” I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Stock market futures plummeted after today’s announcement, but it’s possible that tomorrow will be one of the busiest shopping days in US history.
And toward the end of the article…
WINNER: People who like beer more than wine and cocktails
Wine has had a difficult time competing with spirits. But the price of just about every cocktail ingredient just went up: Vermouth, many liqueurs, even many bitters and fancy cocktail cherries.
US wine producers may be able to better compete with EU producers at the low end because of this, but they will also have to raise prices because of higher prices for equipment, including barrels and glass bottles. It’s a good time to drink beer in US-made cans.
LOSER: The world economy?
BIGGEST LOSER: The US consumer. Fewer wines that cost more. Thanks a lot.
I would write more, but my wife says let’s go to the Japanese supermarket right now.
The Drinks Business – The winemaking nations hit hardest by Trump tariffs
Eloise Feilden also takes a swipe at breaking down which countries will potentially take the biggest hit to their wine industries. From the article:
EU economies will be worst hit by the tariffs on wine, as all of these nations face a 20% hike.
The US comprises almost 20% of the EU’s total wine exports, accounting for a total of US$14.1bn (€13.1bn) of exported beverage, spirit and vinegar products from the EU in 2024, according to the International Trade Centre.
Italy’s economy will suffer most from levies on wine, responsible for both the highest volume and value exports to the US, with France in second place.
But from a producer perspective, South Africa is by far the worst hit. The country faces tariffs of 31% — 11% higher than any other of the top 10 countries exporting wine to the US.
WineInstitute.org – Wine Institute Responds to Administration’s Latest Trade Action and Ongoing Canadian Ban – Press Release
Perhaps the biggest loser will be US wine makers, as seen by the ongoing drama in Canada. From the press release:
Wineries across the country continue to suffer economic harm from Canada’s total ban on U.S. wine sales. Since early March, wine, beer and spirits have been the only U.S. products completely barred from entering and being sold in the Canadian market. Prior to these actions, Canada accounted for 35% of all U.S. wine exports, with a retail value of more than $1.1 billion.
Reason – The New Prohibitionists Are Hijacking Federal Dietary Guidelines
Eric Boehm has a VERY long read that dives deep into the data on the link between Alcohol and Cancer. Worth the read. From the Article:
The campaign to make America dry is as dubious as the campaign for the food pyramid.
The same is true for a recent headline-grabbing report from former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy that linked alcohol consumption with higher cancer risk. Murthy has called for more warning labels on alcohol to help consumers know that even a single drink can increase the risk of getting cancer.
But that’s not what his own data seem to show. Of the more than 740,000 cases of cancer worldwide in 2020 that Murthy says could have been prevented by abstaining from alcohol, more than 75 percent are attributable to people who had more than two drinks per day.
Murthy’s findings, then, simply restate what’s already well known: Routinely drinking a lot of alcohol is dangerous to one’s health. Drinking less than that, unsurprisingly, is not as bad.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards in St Helena, CA
If you’re looking for a winery that blends Napa Valley excellence with a touch of French luxury, Joseph Phelps Vineyards should be at the top of your list. Known for crafting some of the region’s most respected wines—including their iconic Insignia—this St. Helena estate has long been a benchmark for Napa Cabernet lovers.
2018 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia 98 Points $350
At $350, but you can find it for $289 over at Wine Searcher, this is a significant investment, but one that delivers if you have the budget. Its 98-point score reflects the wine’s impeccable craftsmanship and ability to captivate both seasoned collectors and enthusiastic newcomers to fine wine.
The 2018 vintage is a triumph, capturing the essence of Napa Valley in a bottle. With its harmonious blend, impeccable balance, and impressive aging potential, it solidifies Insignia’s status as a benchmark for luxury wines worldwide.
2021 Viña Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Vineyard 96 Points – $175
You will be hard pressed to find a top critic who doesn’t love this wine. James Suckling gave it 99 points, Tim Atkin followed closely at 98, and Wine Spectator named it the 2024 Wine of the Year, awarding it 96 points—echoing our own Cork and Journey Panel’s 96-point rating. And the list goes on and on.
Blend Notes: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot.
Le Cirque in Las Vegas, Nevada – 5 Stars
Le Cirque isn’t chasing trends. It’s not trying to be hip or cutting-edge. What it offers instead is refinement, tradition, and the kind of quietly confident cooking that doesn’t need to shout to be heard. It’s a restaurant where service matters, where wines are chosen with intention, and where dishes feel both nostalgic and modern.
The Premium wine pairings were consistently excellent, but not mandatory to enjoy the meal—those with a good bottle at home and a willingness to pay corkage could do quite well. That said, there’s something about surrendering to the full experience that makes Le Cirque feel like a special occasion in and of itself.
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