I love this place and can smell the leather couches and old books in the library as I read you words. And yes, always take the stairs! Bravo to comfort and nostalgia, wine forever.
Those of us of a certain age remember when wine appealed predominantly to the very people who comprised the membership of such exclusive institutions. Then the baby boomers brought the Big Bang. The market is regressing towards the mean.
I agree “wine will always be here”. The volume will continue to trend lower, the diversity of producers will be smaller, and the quality gems will require more time to find. I believe we’ve just passed through a golden age of wine in the US that many did not appreciate at the time. It will likely not be repeated for decades, if ever again.
It's interesting that you say the US "golden age" has already passed - I'm of the mind it's just begun! Perhaps there was a more focused, "simpler" (but not meant in a negative way) golden age that has now passed. But we're also entering this age of untold variety, wine countries in states across the country starting to come into their own, indigenous grapes and nearly forgotten traditions of winemaking from overseas starting to re-emerge and become available in local shops. I think this current age is different, maybe it's whatever comes after "golden", but for me, personally, I'm glad it's the age I'm getting. It's as "golden" as it gets for little ol' moi. :)
I don't know how well this jives with the information you have, Tom, but I recently listened to the winemaker at Cheateau Montelena talk about how Gen Z / LDA drinkers are in fact still drinking the same amount as previous generations at their ages. I don't know precisely how he's parsng that data (I wish people would be more specific - are they *buying* the same amount by volume? Spending the same amount? The details matter!)
But he did mention that underage drinking is down, due to our current cell phone surveillance society, kids are taking fewer risks, and making dumb decisions far less. And while this is ostensibly a good thing, it does meant a longer on ramp to drinking at all. Younger peope are buying houses later, havnig kids later, and, yes, drinking later. He said the data doesn't show that their drinking less dirctly due to health concerns. So maybe a good sign?
Your writing was a comfort, much like the club was for you. It's too easy to overlook the fundamental comforts of a place like, as well as how much comfort a glass of truly good wine can do for us. As time goes by, the fundamental things apply.
Certainly we are in a challenging time for alcoholic beverages. Heck, we are in challenging times for much greater issues. But it encourages me that people with influence are forging ahead with ideas and challenging the oppressors. Like your Club friend, I think the value of wine will hold strong and facilitate its endurance through this chaotic time. Those of us who believe in the value of wine would do well to join the battle and speak the truth to those who would take it away from us. We have the advantage.
I love this place and can smell the leather couches and old books in the library as I read you words. And yes, always take the stairs! Bravo to comfort and nostalgia, wine forever.
Well done. Keep up the DtC fight for wine retailers and producers. It is a consumer's right. The sun will come out tomorrow.
"support fundamental reforms to the three-tier system." That would be a great first step on the road to recovery - Cut out the middle man!
Those of us of a certain age remember when wine appealed predominantly to the very people who comprised the membership of such exclusive institutions. Then the baby boomers brought the Big Bang. The market is regressing towards the mean.
NAWR SUMMIT 2025--still digesting all the presentations, perspectives and people making a difference and driving the wine industry forward. Well Done.
I agree “wine will always be here”. The volume will continue to trend lower, the diversity of producers will be smaller, and the quality gems will require more time to find. I believe we’ve just passed through a golden age of wine in the US that many did not appreciate at the time. It will likely not be repeated for decades, if ever again.
It's interesting that you say the US "golden age" has already passed - I'm of the mind it's just begun! Perhaps there was a more focused, "simpler" (but not meant in a negative way) golden age that has now passed. But we're also entering this age of untold variety, wine countries in states across the country starting to come into their own, indigenous grapes and nearly forgotten traditions of winemaking from overseas starting to re-emerge and become available in local shops. I think this current age is different, maybe it's whatever comes after "golden", but for me, personally, I'm glad it's the age I'm getting. It's as "golden" as it gets for little ol' moi. :)
I don't know how well this jives with the information you have, Tom, but I recently listened to the winemaker at Cheateau Montelena talk about how Gen Z / LDA drinkers are in fact still drinking the same amount as previous generations at their ages. I don't know precisely how he's parsng that data (I wish people would be more specific - are they *buying* the same amount by volume? Spending the same amount? The details matter!)
But he did mention that underage drinking is down, due to our current cell phone surveillance society, kids are taking fewer risks, and making dumb decisions far less. And while this is ostensibly a good thing, it does meant a longer on ramp to drinking at all. Younger peope are buying houses later, havnig kids later, and, yes, drinking later. He said the data doesn't show that their drinking less dirctly due to health concerns. So maybe a good sign?
Your writing was a comfort, much like the club was for you. It's too easy to overlook the fundamental comforts of a place like, as well as how much comfort a glass of truly good wine can do for us. As time goes by, the fundamental things apply.
Thanks for fighting the good fight, TW! Great piece!!
Certainly we are in a challenging time for alcoholic beverages. Heck, we are in challenging times for much greater issues. But it encourages me that people with influence are forging ahead with ideas and challenging the oppressors. Like your Club friend, I think the value of wine will hold strong and facilitate its endurance through this chaotic time. Those of us who believe in the value of wine would do well to join the battle and speak the truth to those who would take it away from us. We have the advantage.