Liquor Sales Steady in Spite of Economy

We didn't want this holiday article to slip by unnoticed. Back in December, the Denver Post reported that Colorado liquor sales remain steady, although consumers are steering towards box wine and well drinks over high-end vintage vino and top shelf liquors. Oh yeah, there are mentions of Western slope establishments like Peach Street Distillers and Crossroads Wine & Liquors in Grand Junction.

Under the headline, "Alcohol Sales Have Survived Despite a Slow Economy, But Tastes Are Shifting: Quantity Over Quality," Post Reporter Nancy Lofholm writes:

"Customer numbers at Colorado liquor stores aren't down and liquor excise taxes are up 7 percent this year, lending credence to the old saw that people continue to imbibe in tough times. But liquor store owners and liquor industry officials say drinkers are avoiding high- end spirits in favor of more moderately priced goods."

"Or if they can't stand to give up their ultra anejo tequila and single-malt scotch, they may buy it in smaller quantities."

"I've never seen an environment like this," said Jim Smith, president of Republic National Distributing Co., who predicts that by the time the tinsel comes down, liquor retailers will have had a decent overall season."

"But their revenues just might come more from $20 premium boxed wines. Sales of the penny-wise cartons have jumped 40 percent in the past month, according to a survey by A.E. Nielsen. Or from economy vodka, which the survey showed has jumped 7 percent while sales of luxury vodkas have declined."

"There are people out there that this downturn hasn't even bothered, but then there is the guy who would buy the $25 bottle of wine and is now buying the $10 bottle," said Daveco Liquors manager Ted Sutton."

"No one has plunked down $13,000 for the store's priciest bottle of 55-year-old scotch. The last five-figure bottle of booze to sell there went out the door this summer before the economy really tanked."

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Food Trends for the New Year

What will 2009 bring for food trends? According to the South Carolina News and Observer, the New Year will emphasize budget meals and bargain wines. Under the headline, "Food Trends 2009," Quick Bites Correspondent Greg Cox writes an informative roundup of various gourmet magazines:

"Once again, it's that time of year when pundits and prognosticators of all stripes hazard wild guesses -- er, make informed predictions about trends for the coming year. In the food world, everyone from magazine editors to marketing consultants gets in on the act. OK, restaurant critics, too."

"It should come as no surprise that the economy is the dominant factor influencing predictions for 2009. The January issue of Bon Appétit magazine proclaims that the guiding philosophy for its annual Best of the Year forecast is "Eat Better for Less." The editors single out ricotta -- that's right, humble ricotta cheese -- as the ingredient of the year for 2009."

"And if their forecast for next year's dessert trend is accurate, we'll be singing sticky-mouthed praises of peanut butter desserts. The next big wine trend? If you guessed "great bargain bottles," then you're getting the picture."

You can read the rest of the article here.