Booze News Weekly Roundup: Wildfire Aftermath Lingers in Bordeaux, Marijuana Users Outpace Drinkers, and More
This is VinePair’s Booze News Weekly Roundup, where we gather the hottest headlines and product releases every Friday for a snapshot of what’s happening in the beverage alcohol industry. It was a pretty quiet week on the Booze News front, but we have updates on marijuana users outpacing alcohol drinkers, the lasting effects of the now-tamed wildfires in Bordeaux, and the latest product releases.
News to know:
Winemakers remain unsettled following Bordeaux’s wildfires: The inferno that ravaged one of France’s most prestigious wine regions is mostly under control, but winemakers in Bordeaux still fear the increased risk of a second wave of fires and the potential negative effects from residual smoke and ash on the grapes. First responders tamed the wildfires just weeks before producers in the region planned to begin harvesting the fruit, and the ambient smoke can both damage the grapes and impart offputting flavors in the resulting wine.
Eyes are on Brown-Forman for a potential downfall: Citi Research opened a 90-day negative Catalyst Watch for Brown-Forman, a warning sign for an expected drop in the company’s stock. Citi initiated the watch on Monday ahead of the spirits producer’s first-quarter financial results, which are set to release on Aug. 26. Citi Research forecasts Brown-Forman’s organic sales growth to drop by 2.2 percent. Shares of the company, which produces American whiskeys like Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve, have dropped by 1.7 percent following the news.
Record highs for marijuana: There are more daily users of marijuana in America than there are daily alcohol drinkers. In 2025, roughly 21.4 million Americans consumed marijuana, according to a new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. That’s over four million more than the number of Americans who drink alcohol everyday or most days: The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found 17.2 million Americans drank alcohol most days last year.
Diageo CEO carves a path forward: Chief executive officer of Diageo Dave Lewis revealed a restructuring plan for the company that would save it $1 billion over the next three years in hopes of rerouting its recent period of sagging sales. The plan involves reducing the prices of some brands, cutting jobs, and investing in Guinness’s growth and ready-to-drink products. Lewis said the restructuring will have “very significant impacts” on the company’s workforce, though he denied to disclose the number of jobs that will be cut, according to Reuters.
Product releases to watch:
Stetson goes all-in on Americana with its first bourbon release: Stetson, the popular cowboy hats and boots brand, released its first whiskey, a high-rye bourbon distilled in Bardstown, Ky. The iconic Westernwear brand partnered with Dan Callaway, master distiller at Lofted Spirits and formerly of Bardstown Bourbon Company, to produce the whiskey. Stetson Straight Kentucky Bourbon is currently available for direct-to-consumer purchase and at select retailers in Texas for a suggested retail price of $70.
The Macallan closes its Harmony Collection with two coconut-inspired Scotches. The collection’s final releases are called “Inspired by Fresh Coconut,” bottled at 46.3 percent ABV; and “Inspired by Toasted Coconut,” at 43.3 percent ABV. Inspired by Fresh Coconut is available at The Macallan Estate in Speyside, Scotland, and Inspired by Toasted Coconut is available at select airports worldwide. Both come with a suggested retail price of $185
Freixenet jumped into the RTD space with the release of Freixenet Solare Spritz. In its new canned spritz, Freixenet, one of the most popular Prosecco brands, combines its sparkling wine with lemon and clementine flavors. Freixenet Solare Spritz is available nationwide in four-packs at a suggested retail price of $15.
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