This too is Yonkers–By Eric W. Schoen
What a surprise to wake up Tuesday morning and hear that Americans are drinking less wine. Could it be true? Yes, America, your drinking tastes are changing. Wine has been fine, but now, it seems, you’re looking for something with more bubble or bite.
For the first time in 25 years, wine consumption has declined, falling in 2019 by nearly 1 percent in volume, according to the gurus at IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.
While wine drinking is on the decline, Americans are still spending more overall on alcohol, with $167 billion going to buy booze. That’s a 2.5 percent increase over 2018, IWSR says. And although Americans were drinking slightly more in 2019 than the past couple of years – a 0.3 percent increase, reversing the nearly 1 percent declines of the past two years – it’s really how much we’re spending that’s outpacing how much we’re drinking.
It’s “a clear indicator that U.S. consumers are willing to pay for more premium products,” said Brandy Rand, IWSR Drink Markets Analysis chief operating officer for the Americas, in a statement accompanying the report.
Could this be the end of “two buck chuck,” wine made famous by Whole Foods? I find a surprising number of people I know are buying the $5.59 bottle of wine on the rack in the grocery store. These wines – which got their start as substitutions for “the real thing” when grocery stores started carrying them, when full-fledged liquor stores were closed – are fruity and flavorful when served chilled.
Yes, wine drinking is on the decline. But Americans are still spending more overall on alcohol; $167 billion going to buy booze. It’s a 2.5 percent increase over 2018, IWSR says.
And although Americans were drinking slightly more in 2019 than the past couple of years – a 0.3 percent increase, reversing the nearly 1 percent declines of the past two years – it’s really how much we’re spending that’s outpacing how much we’re drinking. Just remember: When picking up a bottle for me, I like screw caps, as I despise wine openers. White over red because I like my wine chilled.
Well, however you like it, Enjoy!
Philadelphia Freedom
I can’t understand how Philadelphia is so friendly to its older adults and the disabled when it comes to parking, mass transit, the movies – even UBER rides! There are handicapped parking spots on every street, UBER rides cost a mere $2.50 per trip, and first-run movies are $2.50 a ticket.
Philly seniors ride public transit for free, and the rail line is only $1 to Trenton, where you can catch an inexpensive train to New York.
Impeachment Begins
As we ready for the impeachment proceedings for one Donald J. Trump, I ask you: Where is this all going? There are not enough votes for impeachment in the Senate, so we will go through the pomp and circumstances of this charade for nothing!
Why the Democratic Party is not focused on the primaries and the November election and their attempt to beat Trump, I don’t know?
Bail Reform
A man robs one bank and is caught and set free due to our new state bail laws. He does it again and is let go. He does it four – yes, four – more times, and as we speak, for the sixth time he is getting ready to get out of jail. People who have committed hate crimes and got arrested for DUIs are getting set free under this dumb bail reform approved by the State Legislature.
Something wrong with this picture? State leaders, get back to Albany and fix this broken system you created before someone really gets hurt!
The Royal Family
Pity the Royal Family and the hurt feelings Queen Elizabeth now faces as Harry and Meghan decide to depart from royal life and go on their own. It’s not fair to have the paparazzi follow you every step you take. They want a life, they will pay out of their pockets, I have no problem with that.
While we are at it, the person who pulled the Pope’s arm and body into the crowd as he was shaking hands a week ago should have been stopped by security. Do they really think the Pope is a play toy to get pushed and pulled around? Where was security? Why wasn’t the woman arrested?
Modern Major General is Hired
The latest inspector general to be hired by the mayor in Yonkers is former Councilman Liam McLaughlin. It’s great for his pension… this is a fixed-term position so no one will stop him from building it up. Liam is bright and when he served on the council had a grasp on all the major issues.
Inspectors general in Yonkers over the past few years have issued very few opinions and have been far from aggressive. It time for this crucial position to step up to the plate to be sure tax dollars are being spent wisely!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show on Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. on WVOX 1460 AM, go to WVOX.com and click the arrow to listen to the live stream, or download the WVOX app from the App Store free of charge.
