Rachel’s wine journeys
@reziembawine.bsky.social
Wine economist. dip WSET Trade disputes, climate adjustment, shifting demand. This is the wine spirits commentary of Rachel Ziemba, @reziemba.bsky.social economist and political risk expert.
Latest US alcohol trade stats and some thoughts on how they might be affected by tariffs. Beer imports are up, spirits down after a large front-loading, and wine exports are still suffering (mostly due to the Canada trade embargo)
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
An update on the alcohol trade wars
July data shows some leveling off, even though tariffs collections are just starting to hit.
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Latest US alcohol trade stats and some thoughts on how they might be affected by tariffs. Beer imports are up, spirits down after a large front-loading, and wine exports are still suffering (mostly due to the Canada trade embargo)
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
I wrote about crafted in BC wines- made in British Columbia from foreign grapes, a response to the mostly lost harvest of 2024. Mostly grapes from the US, which makes them some of few made from US grapes saleable in govt stores, but some from farther afield (NZ)
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
Exploring Crafted in BC Wines
The latest in my 2024 BC deep freeze series follows.
open.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I wrote about crafted in BC wines- made in British Columbia from foreign grapes, a response to the mostly lost harvest of 2024. Mostly grapes from the US, which makes them some of few made from US grapes saleable in govt stores, but some from farther afield (NZ)
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
Some more data on whose taking market share in the Canadian (or at least British Columbia) wine market. Mostly local with some gains to EU producers. An update on the wine trade war and Canadian local bias themes I’ve been tracking.
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
Rachel Ziemba (@reziemba)
An update on the US-Canada alcohol trade war and the Canadian home bias themes I’ve been watching.
The BC liquor distribution branch is out with its data on sales in April-June 2025, the period wher...
substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Some more data on whose taking market share in the Canadian (or at least British Columbia) wine market. Mostly local with some gains to EU producers. An update on the wine trade war and Canadian local bias themes I’ve been tracking.
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
Interesting take on how India’s whisky market may be affected by recent trade deals and disputes including the pending india-uk trade deal that would reduce import duties on Scotch, including bulk.
www.ft.com/content/e0a0...
www.ft.com/content/e0a0...
Disruption looms over India’s whisky industry
The country’s booze market has long been mired in a web of levies and complex regulation
www.ft.com
August 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Interesting take on how India’s whisky market may be affected by recent trade deals and disputes including the pending india-uk trade deal that would reduce import duties on Scotch, including bulk.
www.ft.com/content/e0a0...
www.ft.com/content/e0a0...
New on the 🍷 stack : a look at Canadian wines stay super local and why wine is often an example cited for internal trade barriers. Trigger: a good bottle of Nova Scotia sparkling and my own obsessions with with and trade barriers locally and globally
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
Canadian wine home bias is very local
An update on Intra-Canada wine and alcohol trade and how it's being affected by trade wars.
open.substack.com
August 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
New on the 🍷 stack : a look at Canadian wines stay super local and why wine is often an example cited for internal trade barriers. Trigger: a good bottle of Nova Scotia sparkling and my own obsessions with with and trade barriers locally and globally
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
US wine exports (value) continue to fall, slipping further in USD terms in June. Lack of sales to Canada (down 97% y/y) continue to be major driver, tho most other buyers flattish too. Canada has extensive import bans in govt stores in most provinces tho private stores can sell.
August 5, 2025 at 5:57 PM
US wine exports (value) continue to fall, slipping further in USD terms in June. Lack of sales to Canada (down 97% y/y) continue to be major driver, tho most other buyers flattish too. Canada has extensive import bans in govt stores in most provinces tho private stores can sell.
Canada or most of it, commiting to reduce internal trade barriers in alcohol- as most provinces move towards allowing Direct to consumer sale transactions by May 2026. Not sure what Newfoundland’s holdout reflects. Most helpful for wine and spirits
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Nine provinces, Yukon aim to launch direct-to-consumer alcohol sales by May
Progress on knocking down internal trade barriers proves slower than expected as provinces try to counteract U.S. tariffs
www.theglobeandmail.com
July 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Canada or most of it, commiting to reduce internal trade barriers in alcohol- as most provinces move towards allowing Direct to consumer sale transactions by May 2026. Not sure what Newfoundland’s holdout reflects. Most helpful for wine and spirits
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Some data on how the tariffs and trade disputes have been affecting US wine and alcohol trade.
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
Rachel Ziemba on Substack
The trade war distorts US beer and wine exports.
Last week, I dug into the evidence of how alcohol trade has been affected by the ongoing trade war. With more tariffs threatened this week we should ...
substack.com
July 8, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Some data on how the tariffs and trade disputes have been affecting US wine and alcohol trade.
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
Today learning about the latest supply and demand estimates for wine #aawe2025 @calpolyslo.bsky.social including its great winery where students make their own wine.
June 19, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Today learning about the latest supply and demand estimates for wine #aawe2025 @calpolyslo.bsky.social including its great winery where students make their own wine.
Heroic wine tasting @wsetglobal.bsky.social London school. Some great wines from places with super steep slopes… including Valais (Switzerland) Ribera Sacra, Cinque Terre and Syria.
May 21, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Heroic wine tasting @wsetglobal.bsky.social London school. Some great wines from places with super steep slopes… including Valais (Switzerland) Ribera Sacra, Cinque Terre and Syria.
Spending today at wine economics conference. Lots of talk about tariffs of course and whether they will undermine what had been a stabilization of sales values in 2024 (after a tough 2023). Volumes still down especially for red wine. Big qs on US, China and European fiscal changes. 🧵
May 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Spending today at wine economics conference. Lots of talk about tariffs of course and whether they will undermine what had been a stabilization of sales values in 2024 (after a tough 2023). Volumes still down especially for red wine. Big qs on US, China and European fiscal changes. 🧵
Good review of South African wine harvest which increased and promises to be good quality. The challenge may be demand, with continued competition and persistent tariffs (China) and new tariffs (US) amid structural consumption declines.
wandilesihlobo.com/2025/05/08/t...
wandilesihlobo.com/2025/05/08/t...
The excellent wine grapes harvest of 2025 signifies the recovery in SA agriculture
We have been saying for some time that 2025 will be a recovery year for South Africa’s agriculture, mainly highlighting the gains in grains, soybeans, and horticulture yields. But I was particularly p...
wandilesihlobo.com
May 9, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Good review of South African wine harvest which increased and promises to be good quality. The challenge may be demand, with continued competition and persistent tariffs (China) and new tariffs (US) amid structural consumption declines.
wandilesihlobo.com/2025/05/08/t...
wandilesihlobo.com/2025/05/08/t...
New on the wine stack- mini post on my favorite Turkish wine varietals- the flavorful intense reds from anatolia. Despite big challenges to industry, Turkish producers are producing some lovely distinctive wines. Further thoughts on Turkiye economy to come
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
Drinking Okuzgozu and Bogazkere in Turkey
Exploring Turkey's indigenous wines.
open.substack.com
May 4, 2025 at 6:37 AM
New on the wine stack- mini post on my favorite Turkish wine varietals- the flavorful intense reds from anatolia. Despite big challenges to industry, Turkish producers are producing some lovely distinctive wines. Further thoughts on Turkiye economy to come
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
Wishing Happy Easter for those that celebrate. I have a new trip report on my visit to Tenerife late last month. Some tasty wines, influenced by the volcanos, and some discussion of tariffs that damaged its industry (not todays and those of the 18th Century)
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
Canary Islands: Exploring the Volcanic Wines of Tenerife
A Trip Report from Tenerife - tasty wines with lots of minerality
open.substack.com
April 20, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Wishing Happy Easter for those that celebrate. I have a new trip report on my visit to Tenerife late last month. Some tasty wines, influenced by the volcanos, and some discussion of tariffs that damaged its industry (not todays and those of the 18th Century)
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
A piece on how Canadian restrictions on American wine (and alcohol) challenging US wine industry, which is already facing declining shifting demand, global oversupply, rising costs and climate change related volatility.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...?
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...?
America's struggling wine industry is getting crushed by global tariffs and Canada's retaliation to them
Even if the tariffs were to be reversed tomorrow, one wine business leader said, it'll take "at least a year, if not longer, for my industry to recover.”
www.nbcnews.com
April 17, 2025 at 2:28 PM
A piece on how Canadian restrictions on American wine (and alcohol) challenging US wine industry, which is already facing declining shifting demand, global oversupply, rising costs and climate change related volatility.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...?
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...?
Good piece @planetmoney.bsky.social on the reasons Tariffs are bad for American wine makers not the protection one might hope. Hits the points on their production lines (import) but also impact on the broader ecosystem.
www.npr.org/sections/mon...
www.npr.org/sections/mon...
Newsletter
Newsletter
www.npr.org
April 17, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Good piece @planetmoney.bsky.social on the reasons Tariffs are bad for American wine makers not the protection one might hope. Hits the points on their production lines (import) but also impact on the broader ecosystem.
www.npr.org/sections/mon...
www.npr.org/sections/mon...
Learning this week all about wines of Tenerife and elsewhere on the Canary islands. Fascinating history of prephylloxera wines and ones that played important role in propagating european varietals across Americas in colonial periods. Mostly tasty savory wines benefiting from wind and elevation
March 24, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Learning this week all about wines of Tenerife and elsewhere on the Canary islands. Fascinating history of prephylloxera wines and ones that played important role in propagating european varietals across Americas in colonial periods. Mostly tasty savory wines benefiting from wind and elevation
Short answer, BC’s red state alcohol only ban lasted about a week and now has expanded to all US alcohol, matching Ontario and select other provinces. I assume they have a carve out for made in BC wine from US grapes given the industry challenges
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
March 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Short answer, BC’s red state alcohol only ban lasted about a week and now has expanded to all US alcohol, matching Ontario and select other provinces. I assume they have a carve out for made in BC wine from US grapes given the industry challenges
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Reposted by Rachel’s wine journeys
I wrote about Sake on the wine economics stack following a class I took in London. As with most things from me these days, it looks at the sake export market (including tariff risks) which has partly offset falling domestic demand.
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
Sake Bootcamp in Style
Some takeaways from my recent Level 1 Sake class
open.substack.com
March 10, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I wrote about Sake on the wine economics stack following a class I took in London. As with most things from me these days, it looks at the sake export market (including tariff risks) which has partly offset falling domestic demand.
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
open.substack.com/pub/wineecon...
Jack Daniels highlighting that the (non-tariff) ban from Canadian liquor stores is worse than the tariff. No sales rather than some
www.cnn.com/2025/03/06/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/03/06/b...
Jack Daniel’s parent company says Canada pulling booze off shelves is even worse than tariffs | CNN Business
After Canada pulled American-made spirits off its shelves following President Donald Trump’s implementation of tariffs on Canadian imports, the CEO of Brown-Forman, which makes Jack Daniel’s whiskey a...
www.cnn.com
March 7, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Jack Daniels highlighting that the (non-tariff) ban from Canadian liquor stores is worse than the tariff. No sales rather than some
www.cnn.com/2025/03/06/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/03/06/b...
👇
The upshot is that many of California's top agricultural exports are on both the lists published by Canada and China (Mexico is scheduling to announce its own list on Sunday, perhaps strategically).
(2/5)
(2/5)
March 6, 2025 at 2:17 AM
👇
Short update on alcohol tariffs
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
Rachel Ziemba on Substack
With the US tariffs going into effect on Canadian goods yesterday, Alcohol was among the retaliatory targets chosen by the Canadians, including both tariffs and non-tariff barriers (bans by provincial...
substack.com
March 5, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Short update on alcohol tariffs
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
substack.com/@reziemba/no...
This threat is definitely going to make the atmosphere weird at this week’s Vancouver wine festival - west coast US wines are in focus.
The actual tariffs might not happen (yet) but tariffs are a planned tool and revenue source. And alcohol a likely retaliation tool.
The actual tariffs might not happen (yet) but tariffs are a planned tool and revenue source. And alcohol a likely retaliation tool.
President Donald Trump said on Monday the planned tariffs on Mexico and Canada are “on time” and “on schedule” to be enacted early next month after being delayed in early February after leaders in both countries pledged to improve their border policies.
Trump Says Tariffs On Mexico And Canada Will Go Forward Next Month
The 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico were paused on Feb. 3 for 30 days, and President Donald Trump said Monday they are “on time” for implementation next month.
www.forbes.com
February 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
This threat is definitely going to make the atmosphere weird at this week’s Vancouver wine festival - west coast US wines are in focus.
The actual tariffs might not happen (yet) but tariffs are a planned tool and revenue source. And alcohol a likely retaliation tool.
The actual tariffs might not happen (yet) but tariffs are a planned tool and revenue source. And alcohol a likely retaliation tool.
Taking some time to learn more about sake with WSET school london. Useful read across from past spirits classes. Post forthcoming
February 23, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Taking some time to learn more about sake with WSET school london. Useful read across from past spirits classes. Post forthcoming
Globe and Mail on potential alcohol sector impact from tariff/trade war
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
U.S. alcohol producers brace for sales bans in Canada if Trump launches tariffs
Canadian politicians say pulling American-made alcoholic beverages from store shelves will be one way to retaliate should U.S. follow through on tariff plan
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 31, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Globe and Mail on potential alcohol sector impact from tariff/trade war
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...