[BND] Kane's Beverage News Daily

Good Morning and Happy Thursday. It's August 20, 2026

Korbel Intros Low-Alc Option; 1st from Major Domestic Sparkling House

Korbel California Champagne, America’s favorite California champagne, announces its latest innovation: Korbel Aire. This sophisticated, low-alcohol California champagne delivers the same sparkling experience and craftsmanship synonymous with Korbel, at just 7% ABV and . . .

Global Champagne Market Seen Reaching $11.60 Billion by 2034

The global champagne market size was worth around $7.26 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around $11.60 Billion by 2034 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 4.8% between 2025 and 2034, according to a new report from Zion Market Research.

Diageo Cuts Headcount by 2,000

Diageo's annual report says it has 27,938 employees this year, down 6.4% from last year. The largest number of these were in Africa, where employment fell 30.2%. Diageo sold its controlling stake in East African Breweries Ltd. to Asahi Group Holdings in December. Europe's headcount fell only 2.5%. It isn't clear how many of the staff reductions were a result of redundancies.

Hop Breeding Co. Launches New High-Alpha Hop Variety Series

Hop Breeding Company (HBC) launched Terra Alpha Hops, a new series of high-alpha hop varieties bred for reliable performance in both the field and the brewhouse. Terra Alpha Hops represent HBC’s long-term platform for high-alpha hop innovation. Inspired by the foundational role alpha hops play in brewing, the Terra line is built around sustainability, performance, and consistent, quality bitterness. HBC is best known for flavor-forward varieties such as Citra HBC 394, Mosaic^ HBC 369, and Krus

Riverside Beverage, UTenn Chattanooga Launch Mocs Gold Lager

Riverside Beverage Co. and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga debuts Mocs Gold Lager, the first official campus lager in UTC history, (8/20). "Chattanooga has a rich and storied brewing history, and crafting the very first official beer for our hometown university is an incredible honor," said David Powers, Managing Partner of Riverside Beverage Co. "Mocs Gold Lager captures the blue and gold pride of our campus and the electric energy of game day, brought to life right here in Chattano

People with Higher IQ Scores Tend to Know More About Wine, Study Finds

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink, goes an old line. But a new study finds that whether or not that horse wants to drink depends upon what kind of water – or, to be more accurate, wine. We tend to think that people learn when it's important to them – because it's part of their job, for instance. But a new study finds that cognitive ability – the mental capacity of the brain used to think, learn, remember, reason and solve problems – drives the accumulation of deep, factual . . .

Atlas Peak Winery Listed for Sale

Atlas Peak Winery, a small production winery in Napa, Calif., is listed for sale the Sotherby's International Realty for $14,950,000. The estate features the three-bedroom main residence, a guest house, barn, winery, pool, spa and vineyard. It's six miles from downtown Napa. The 24.5-acre vineyard is organically and biodynamically farmed. Thirteen blocks are planed with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It's in the Atlas Peak AVA. Founded in 1087, the newly built winemaking facility is permitted to bottle ...

Who & What --

Pulido~Walker names Emily Andrews director of business development, a new position, as the winery prepares to expand estate hospitality under a new state statute that allows qualifying California wineries to host wine tasting and educational experiences at their vineyard sites..

What We're Reading --

Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. – Joel