Episode description

Today in Wine News

In the last new episode for the 2024 vintage, we take a look back at a year of wine news through past episodes of The Wine Press. But before we delve into the stories that moved us and made us think throughout the year, there’s some big breaking news in an update to a recent feature story.

The Federal Trade Commission has sued Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits for predatory pricing practices. In a lawsuit filed on December 12, the FTC claims that Southern Glazer’s has been violating the Robinson-Patman Act - an antitrust law that’s been on the books since the 1930s, but quickly fell into disuse.

What will happen when the 10th largest privately held company in the United States starts spending their $26 billion annual revenue in legal fees and settlements? And how will the rapidly descent of Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits affect the three tiered alcohol distribution system in the United States?

Keep listening to learn more.

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Further Reading

* “FTC sues Southern Glazer’s for Illegal Price Discrimination” (Press Release)

* “Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Responds to FTC Lawsuit” (Press Release)

* The Wine Press, Episode 22: The Fall of the House of Southern

In Other News

Here are some highlights from the year in wine news.

There are links to each of the referenced podcast episodes in today’s show notes:

The most popular episode of The Wine Press this year was all about Madeira. As Madeira has seen a resurgence in popularity, the island has had to reckon with everything from the effects of tourism to rampant banana plantings. Rounding out the top three episodes for the year are Episode 8: The New Wave of Wine Drinkers from June 25, and Episode 16: Alsace Starts Seeing Red from August 23.

* The Wine Press, Episode 12: Madeira, Madeira (July 25)

* The Wine Press, Episode 8: The New Wave of Wine Drinkers (June 25)

* The Wine Press, Episode 16: Alsace Starts Seeing Red (August 23)

In one of the earliest episodes of The Wine Press, we talked about the recent acquisition of Domaine William Fèvre. News of Domaines des Barons de Rothschild and its high profile purchase in Chablis made its way to headlines for the January 15 episode of The Wine Press, but it wasn’t until Episode 18 aired on October 3 that the public received an update on the purchase price of $99 million.

* The Wine Press, Episode 5 (January 15)

* The Wine Press, Episode 18: Who’s Afraid of Neo-Prohibitionists? (October 3)

New designated wine areas were added to wine maps worldwide. We mentioned that Chile added two new D.O.s in Episode 15: Wine Gets Political, air date August 15. Grand Cru Vorbourg, an area of Alsace specifically designated for Pinot Noir, got a feature story in Episode 16: Alsace Starts Seeing Red, while the long-awaited Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA received a feature story in Episode 21: A New Napa Valley Neighbor, which aired on October 24.

* The Wine Press, Episode 15: Wine Gets Political (August 15)

* The Wine Press, Episode 16: Alsace Starts Seeing Red (August 23)

* The Wine Press, Episode 21: A New Napa Valley Neighbor (October 24)

And finally, a quick In Memoriam segment for the giants of the wine world we lost this year. The passing of KCBS Food and Wine editor Narsai David was mentioned in Episode 8: The New Wave of Wine Drinkers, while Stag’s Leap founder Warren Winiarski’s memorial services were included in Episode 9: The Fees Are Too Damn High!, which aired on July 3. The sudden passing of Cafe Boulud sommelier Vernand Florara was memorialized in Episode 21: A New Napa Valley Neighbor, and before we close out the year, we are passing along the news of one more fallen wine hero.

Santa Barbara winemaker Kris Curran lost her fight with pancreatic cancer on December 11. Curran came to prominence as the first winemaker at Sea Smoke before lending her expertise and her love of Santa Barbara Pinot Noir to Cambria, Koehler, and Foley. Her presence and her generous spirit will be missed by those who knew her. Curran is survived by her longtime partner, Bruno D’Alfonso.

* The Wine Press, Episode 8: The New Wave of Wine Drinkers (June 25)

* The Wine Press, Episode 9: The Fees Are Too Damn High! (Jul. 3)

* The Wine Press, Episode 21: A New Napa Valley Neighbor (October 24)

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That’s all the news this week. Thank you for listening to The Wine Press!

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We’ll be back with a new crop of wine news in the new year. Until then, enjoy the holidays, cheers, and happy drinking!