The Drinks Business – The WHO’s ‘Tobacco Playbook’ Targets Alcohol
In an article for The Drinks Business, Mike Coppen‑Gardner warns that the World Health Organisation is repurposing the proven “tobacco playbook” to regulate alcohol, escalating from blanket health warnings to outright advertising bans and punitive taxation. He argues this “no safe level” stance marks the beginning of a coordinated global policy campaign that could threaten the survival of the drinks industry. From the article:
The WHO’s carcinogen classification creates massive litigation risks. Companies will face mounting legal costs defending against class-action lawsuits, potentially reaching the billions seen in tobacco settlements. Legal reserves and insurance costs will drain resources from productive business activities, further accelerating industry consolidation.
Unlike tobacco, however, the drinks industry has powerful counterarguments. Consumer behaviour is already shifting organically toward moderation. Innovation in low and no-alcohol products is creating precisely the outcomes health authorities claim to want. Most critically, moderate alcohol consumption remains a legitimate consumer choice supported by decades of research showing negligible individual risk levels.
SCVNews.com – Click to Cancel Bill Now Law in California
In a post on SCVNews.com dated July 1, 2025, Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo’s new “Click to Cancel” law took effect, this is requiring companies to provide an easy, one-click online option for consumers to cancel subscriptions. From the article:
Click to Cancel will ensure consumers can quickly and easily cancel services they don’t want or need.
“From gym memberships to software subscriptions to wine clubs, consumers now have more control over their automatic subscriptions. You shouldn’t have to endure endless stalling tactics to keep your money in your pocket, where it belongs,” said Robert Herrell, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California.
Wine Enthusiast – 10 Bucket-List Chef’s Tables for Wine Lovers
In Wine Enthusiast, writer Nils Bernstein rounds up ten top chef’s tables across the U.S. that offer unforgettable food and wine experiences. From intimate omakase counters to Michelin-starred kitchens, each spot brings diners up close to the action with perfectly paired pours. Happy to see Campo at Los Poblanos come in at #3:
At this historic inn and farm, the four-seat in-kitchen counter allows for a deeper understanding of the dishes made from local, indigenous ingredients, like pork confit with blue corn hominy, Rosales green chile, Sonora wheat tortillas and pumpkin seeds. The wine pairing is a no-brainer, but explore the list as well, for about 20 wines available as three-ounce pours, and nearly two-dozen wines from New Mexico, a once-burgeoning region that is expanding anew.
Slate – Where There’s Smoke, There’s … Wine?
Slate has an article that examines how escalating West Coast wildfires—particularly in Oregon, are increasingly jeopardizing local vineyards and wine production, connecting the crisis to broader climate change trends. The article explores how smoke taint, heat stress, and shifting weather patterns are reshaping viticulture in the region. From the article:
With the rise of smoky mezcal and natural wine, appetites for unconventional flavors, in and out of the world of wine lovers, are higher than ever. While smoke-impacted wine is traditionally seen as a sin of conventional winemaking, new research from Oregon State University and New Zealand published this February indicates that the drinking public may be more adventurous. They found that consumers—particularly those who already like smoky flavors in their food, actually enjoyed smoke-impacted wines.
San Francisco Chronicle – California Wrote off this Red Wine. But Now It’s Staging a Comeback
In the San Francisco Chronicle, senior wine critic Esther Mobley reports on the revival of California’s Sangiovese, a grape once written off in the 1980s and 1990s due to unsuitable vineyard practices. She highlights how a new wave of winemakers, embracing both traditional and modern styles, is rediscovering Sangiovese’s versatility and resilience in the face of climate challenges. From the article:
As part of a poorly executed Cal-Italian movement in the ’80s and ’90s, Sangiovese produced a series of uninspiring, overblown wines that then convinced a generation of winegrowers it wasn’t suited to California soil.
But now, a Sangiovese movement is afoot, and it looks nothing like the Cal-Ital crusade of a previous era.
Irvine & Roberts Vineyards in Ashland, OR
Nestled in the rolling hills of Ashland, Oregon, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards offers a stunning backdrop for sipping elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With a highly rated wine club, breathtaking views, and a winemaker with an impressive résumé, this boutique winery delivers a top-tier tasting experience in a relaxed, scenic setting.
2019 Irvine & Roberts Vineyards Wädenswil Block Rogue Valley Pinot Noir
There’s something charming about a great Pinot Noir. It never shouts. It doesn’t need to. Instead, it quietly invites you in with layers that unfold slowly, like a good conversation or a favorite book. The 2019 Wädenswil Block Pinot Noir from Irvine & Roberts Vineyards in Oregon’s Rogue Valley is exactly that kind of wine. It’s not trying to be flashy, but it doesn’t have to be. With its refined structure, earthy undertones, and just the right amount of fruit, this bottle offers a lovely balance that’s hard to forget.
Sgrizzi Ristorante & Bar by Chef Marc in Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas is a city of illusions—Elvis impersonators, artificial Eiffel Towers, and “Italian” restaurants that think dumping a jar of store-bought marinara over spaghetti counts as authenticity. Sgrizzi Ristorante? It’s the real deal.
Tucked away on S. Rainbow Blvd, far from the Strip’s neon chaos, Chef Marc Sgrizzi has created an Italian food sanctuary. Here, there are no gimmicks, just handmade pasta, slow-cooked sauces, and traditional recipes executed with love, skill, and a level of dedication that’s rare in today’s restaurant scene.
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