Uncle Nearest, Inc.’s Post

Really good piece on the pricing dynamics of agave plants and the impact expectations for tequilas and agave spirits brands. While challenges exist, there are certainly a lot of opportunities for continued expansion and discovery of great agave spirits products.

How ethical is your wine? 🍷 #DomaineBousquet was featured alongside other top organic and sustainable wineries from around the world in The Ethical Issue by The Drinks Business. In the organic wine feature, our co-founder & CEO Anne Bousquet made the case for certification when it comes to wineries delivering on their ethical organic promises. “Talking of adopting organic practices while not obtaining certification is like dating someone but not committing to marriage,” she says. "Effectively, this gives wineries a loophole so they can pick and choose when to be organic. It doesn't work like that. Working organically is a commitment; it can mean making tough decisions, but the outcome is absolutely worth the investment. “Better soil health equals better grapes, equals three-year conversion process, rigorous better wines.” Subscribers can read more here: https://lnkd.in/dxZ2zkM3 #RegenerativeOrganic #OrganicWine

Navigating Self-Promotion in the Wine Industry: Am I a Fossil or just ethically grounded? As I scroll through the multitude of posts on social media, I find myself pondering the necessity of self-promotion, inflated scores, ratings, and endorsements from industry leaders in selling a wine. Shouldn't consumers be able to discern authenticity over embellishment? Isn't it disheartening to see subtle advertisements posing as informative content, overshadowing truly engaging articles about the product and the passionate people behind it? As the 'Wine Mistress' of a small, high-quality organic artisan winery, I have learned the delicate balance of self-promotion in a competitive industry. While marketing is essential for reaching customers and showcasing our unique wines, I believe it is equally vital to uphold humility and ethical standards. Effective self-promotion, in my view, should highlight our craftsmanship and organic practices without relying on exaggerated claims or overwhelming advertising. Instead, we strive to authentically share our story, emphasizing the dedication that goes into each bottle. By embracing humility in our promotions, our goal is not only to foster trust with our customers but also to stand out in a crowded market. Transparency about our ethical practices, such as organic farming and walk the talk, remains crucial. We believe these values resonate with consumers who prioritize integrity and quality. For us, ethical self-promotion is not about making noise but about genuine storytelling and a steadfast commitment to our craft. It is about forging connections based on shared values and a true passion for exceptional wine - or perhaps I am just a relic with old-fashioned ethical standards? #WineIndustry #OrganicWine #EthicalBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #Craftsmanship #ConsumerTrust #Authenticity #WineLovers

Did You Know? Secret No. 1: What’s Hiding in Your Mass Produced Wine? --When the companies that make that wine can’t afford oak barrels… they use oak “flavoring” and other additives --When the wine isn’t dark enough… they add purple dye called “Mega Purple” --When the wine has any hint of sediment from the soil and air (which is what makes wines unique – the goût du terroir, as the French say)… they use “fining agents” like potassium ferrocyanide (yes, “-cyanide”) --When there’s a hint of bad weather, they harvest the grapes when they’re still green… and cover it up by adding more sugar! You can see why the alcohol industry fights tooth and nail to keep ingredients off of labels, spending nearly $30 million for lobbying last year. FACT: Scout & Cellar has ingredient labels and Soil to Sip reports on all bottles. Our wine is independently tested to be FREE of pesticides, free of synthetic chemicals and additives and free of added sugar. Some bottles ZERO SUGAR depending on the varietal. I have 55 ZERO SUGAR wine options on the site. Secret No. 2: Harmful Chemicals in Mass-Produced Wines --A lab test of 10 Californian wines found the weed-killer glyphosate herbicide in every single bottle. They’ve stripped out the richness… the character of wine… everything that makes a bottle burst with life… and then added a lot of stuff that you don’t want! Secret No. 3: Where You Can Still Find Delicious, Clean Crafted Wine? Well, it's no secret. FROM ME. When I popped my first bottle of Scout & Cellar wine, well, I was hooked. Hooked on the company, the mission, the support of the small growers across the world, the sustainability AND the community. Would you consider purchasing wine from me? See link below to take the Wine Quiz to tailor the wine selections to your palate or to SHOP. linktr.ee/lori_foust #business #opportunity #startyour1099today

For some individuals, the enjoyment of wine can be hindered by headaches, often attributed to tannins. 🍷✨ In this article, we explore the role of these in causing wine headaches and introduce a solution – an innovative organic filter designed to remove not only tannins but also histamines and sulfites from your wine. #WineLovers #InnovationInEverySip #HeadacheFreeWine

‘While these “fancy” tequila brands and foreign corporations are enjoying big profits, we believe they are leaving a catastrophic legacy for the socio-economic and agricultural environments in and around the regions of tequila production. Agave farmers and small, artisanal producers with generations’ worth of knowledge and experience are finding themselves in a position which has no sustainable future. Not only are traditions at risk of being lost, but the land and soil are being damaged by agrochemicals and harmful fertilisers. Farmers are being squeezed out. It is clear that this is not just cultural appropriation by celebrities and foreign corporations, but now a cultural exploitation. We believe that your readers are entitled to know the other side of the tequila production process that some of the brands are deploying.’ https://on.ft.com/3uO3PAk

What is your definition of a natural wine? Amidst the growing interest in where and how wine is produced in England, the concept of natural wine has emerged as a topic of debate. The question of whether the label "natural wine" should be based on the work in the vineyard or the process in the winery is a complex one that has been debated by winemakers and consumers for many years. Those who believe that the label should be based on the work in the vineyard argue that it is the most important factor in determining whether a wine is natural. They point out that the vineyard is where the grapes are grown, and that the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers can significantly impact the flavour and quality of the wine. They also argue that organic and biodynamic farming methods are more sustainable and have a positive impact on the environment. Those who believe that the label should be based on the processes in production argue that it is the winemaking techniques that actually determine whether a wine is natural. They point out that natural winemakers use minimal intervention, allowing the grapes and the natural yeasts to express themselves freely. They also argue that the use of additives, such as sulphites, tannins, cultured yeast and enzymes can manipulate the true character of the wine. In reality, the two factors are intertwined. The work in the vineyard can have a significant impact on the processes in production, and vice versa. For example, grapes grown in a healthy, organic vineyard are more likely to ferment spontaneously and produce a more characterful wine with more microbiological life rather than killing off character and life with additives. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to label a wine as natural is up to the individual winemaker. However, there is no universally accepted definition of natural wine, and there are many different interpretations of what it means to be natural. Our ‘Don’t Feed The Ponies’ range is a small batch range of experimental wines made with minimal intervention. All wines are fermented with indigenous vineyard yeasts, no fining or filtration and minimal use of sulphur throughout the process. It’s also worth noting that the majority of our wines are produced in this way, but the new range does so in a more experimental manner. Our question is, where do you draw the line between "natural" and "manipulated" in winemaking? #sandridgebarton #sharphamwine #englishwine

Yesterday, on Earth Day, we launched the Alternative Packaging Alliance along with 6 other amazing brands, the first US-based alliance pushing for sustainable alternative packaging solutions across the US wine industry. This is an incredibly exciting time for boxed wine -- sales of 3-liter boxed wine grew 30% between 2018 and 2023, during a time when overall wine sales were down more than 10%. Many of you know sustainability is one of the main reasons I founded Really Good Boxed Wine, as boxed wine reduces the carbon footprint by 84% compared to glass bottles. The launch of the APA is an exciting step in broadly transforming public perception of this underutilized format. Shoutout to Amy Troutmiller for leading the charge from our side, and to the other founding members of the APA: Tablas Creek, Juliet, Ami Ami, Giovese Family Wines, Nomadica, and Communal Brands. https://lnkd.in/gKJ8mdk2 https://www.altpack.org/

The wonderful thing about social and environmental brand values, is that they can be incorporated into every business and organisation in one way or another. Whether that's being more mindful of raw materials, and where those materials are sourced, to how your product is disposed of - there is almost always a way to be more socially and environmentally responsible throughout the chain of production to disposal. Well done TARQUIN'S CORNISH GIN (Southwestern Distillery Limited). In what ways can your brand innovate and enforce positive change through your corporate chain? #Insight #PositiveChange

Organic wine isn't nearly as straightforward as, say, fruits and vegetables. This is because there is a distinction between the grape growing process, which can be organic, and the winemaking process, which many times is not. Keep on reading as we try to clear up some of the confusion as well as give you our picks for the best wines in this category! #wine #winelover #organic #reversewinesnob