#232 Weekly Update Taxes, Investments in Alcohol-Free & Bold Marketing Moves

This week, we’re diving into the shifting landscape of the drinks
world. From tax hikes shaking up the UK and
Dubai to major investments in alcohol-free
production, the industry is at a turning point. Plus, some bold
marketing moves: a legendary Oregon winery is offering NA
flights, Lidl is opening its first in-store pub, and a
crowdfunding campaign is smashing records.


Big money, big changes – let’s break it all down.





Alexander Gottschalk
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-gottschalk-641838223/)





Shownotes:


(00:00:00) SVB predicts difficult times for US wine market


https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/silicon-valley-bank-releases-24th-annual-state-of-the-us-wine-industry-report-302358462.html


(00:04:09) Napa Valley coalition formed in response to claims of
mass deportation


https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/napa-immigration-coalition-trump-20047562.php


(00:05:40) Best of both worlds: famous Oregon winery offers NA
wine flight


https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/01/29/brooks-launches-non-alcoholic-wine-flights-to-welcome-all-guests/


(00:08:39) New regulations in France allow non-alcoholic wines
labelled as Vin de France


https://www.vindefrance.com/wines/node/21446


(00:11:05) Lion's Den: Alcohol-free shop opens in Bordeaux


https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/bordeaux-gets-alcohol-free-wine-shop-as-times-change-549714/


(00:12:46) Torres to invest 6m Euro in alcohol-free winery


https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/familia-torres-to-invest-e6m-in-winery-dedicated-to-non-alcoholic-wines-549417/


(00:14:37) Energy waste or innovation: Double fermentation for
dealcoholized wine


https://www.dryatlas.com/articles/how-bolles-double-fermentation-is-changing-the-non-alc-wine-game/


(00:20:26 ) Impossibrew smashes crowdfunding target by 3x


https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/01/29/impossibrew-alcohol-free-beer-fundraising-bid/


(00:23:12) Lidl wins legal battle to open first ever in-store pub


https://news.sky.com/story/lidl-wins-legal-battle-to-open-first-ever-in-store-pub-in-northern-ireland-13298859


(00:25:46) Alcohol tax in Dubai returns


https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/01/what-does-the-return-of-alcohol-tax-mean-for-dubai/


(00:28:09) Double Tax Rise Hits UK Drinkers


https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2007766/get-ready-pay-more-your-favourite-drinks-alcohol-duty-increases-february