Michigan State professor Philip Howard has constructed an absolutely stunning data visualization of the wine industry in the United States. It appears to be incredibly thorough, and we found it a fun game to try to find something that was missed. This is an impressive study worth your time and attention. You can find the full report here. [Business Insider]

NPR’s Marketplace covers the potential big for AB/InBev to acquire Mexico’s Groupo Modelo, makers of Corona and Pacifico. Much like the major music label industry mergers of the past decade, this acquisition of one giant by another could create a monster that dominates the world of beer. Developing. [NPR Marketplace]
Fresh off its panic from the fiscal cliff situation in Washington, CNBC is reporting that climate change could invariably hurt the production and quality of wine in France. When asked for comment, a spokesperson from Parlement français has promised to look into this matter, but told Drinkhacker reporters “to go away or they would taunt us a second time,” and declared us to be “silly English persons.” [CNBC]

Elsewhere in the static and noise of fiscal cliff talk, a small section in the final budget reviews tax breaks for NASCAR, asparagus growers, Hollywood studios, and rum. Yes, the highly touted “rum cliff” has been avoided for now, so drink easy. [NPR]

And finally today, Lexington Herald-Leader reporter Tom Eblen uncorks a bottle of bourbon nearly 100 years old with Wild Turkey master distillery Jimmy Russell. It’s a great history lesson on bourbon; well researched and quite rightly shared with one of bourbon’s all time greats. [Lexington Herald-Leader]

Have century-old bourbon you’d like us to try? Drop us a line: [email protected]

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